When this study was done, the nation was in the midst of a period of heightened restrictions due to an increase in the number of COVID cases. During this pandemic, our lives have been disrupted and affected and as we have tried to adjust to these changes, most of us may have found that our spiritual walk has also been affected. COVID has made us more forgetful and also prone to forget God. This passage could be helpful for us, as we read of how God instructed His people to remember Him.
(A) Remember the LORD who delivers and disciplines (Deut 8:1-10)
In Deut 8:1, Moses tells the people that they should be careful to do the whole commandment that he commands them. What is the whole commandment? It refers to all the laws — moral, civil and ceremonial. This section from Deut 4-8 has been a repetition of the laws and how they ought to respond to it. 3 chapters ago, in Deut 5, we read the Ten Commandments, which was first given at Sinai (c.f. Exo 20). In Deut 6, we’ve also read of how Moses reminded the people to love God wholeheartedly, and in Deut 7, we read of how they are to be set apart.
Moses instructs them to “be careful to do” all the commandments (Deut 8:1). This implies that it is intentional and they are not going to chance upon God’s commands and live righteous lives. They are also not to be flippant about these commands, and had to be careful to do the commands. Israel was to do it because finally, God is bringing them into this wonderful that has been promised to them. From just this one verse at the start of the chapter, we see how this God is good to command, but is also good to explain why.
The people were also told the specific events in their history that they ought to remember, and the lesson that each event was to teach them. Firstly, they ought to remember that God had led them these 40 years in the wilderness (Deut 8:2). Their wilderness wanderings was so that God might humble them, “testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not”. Note that it was not a test of God but a test for them to see whether they will be faithful.
Secondly, they ought to remember God’s provision of manna as he humbled them and let them hunger (Deut 8:3). This provision pointed to God’s character and faithfulness. Lastly, they were to also remember how their clothing did not wear out and their foot did not swell through these 40 years (Deut 8:4). Like a father disciplining his son, God is also doing so for the Israelites (Deut 8:5) Their affliction was not pleasant, but there is a greater good and long-term plan.
God’s people were being taught to remember their history in order to remember God’s nature and provision for them. They were allowed to see their great needs in order to test and discipline them, to see if they will remain faithful and obedient to God. But for us today, like the Israelites, we have a far greater need than just our physical hunger, and God doesn’t just provide manna. We needed a Saviour and we were provided one in Christ. And just like how the Israelites were called to remember God’s provision of manna in the wilderness, we too, are called to remember His provision of Christ. This is a saving God and as recipients of His grace, we are to remember what He has done for us.
Perhaps many of us think that COVID has ruined many things we enjoy and we also feel like our plans have been derailed. But, if Heb 12:3-11 is true, do you see that God can use our circumstances to discipline us for righteousness and holiness?
Moses goes on to remind the people to keep the commands of the LORD by walking in His ways and by hearing Him (Deut 8:6). This is a God that is bringing them into a good land and the description of the land is given in Debt 8:7-9. This land is the complete opposite of the wilderness that they have been in for the past 40 years. Moses was teaching them to remember what God had done and this fuels their response in future when they enter the land.
Note that this is not a transactional command, as if their entry into the land is contingent on their obedience. The logic here is that as He led them in the past, God is bringing them into this land. As recipients of His provision, being brought from barrenness into fruitfulness, won’t they obey Him?
This passage also has practical implications for us. If we struggle to worship, let’s also pause to remember our story. We once lived in a desert of sin, without God and have been brought to Christ, given new lives. We have been saved by grace, through faith. And it is this God who is calling us to obedience today.
(B) Do not forget the LORD who saves and blesses (Deut 8:11-20)
The Israelites were instructed to “take care” lest they forget the LORD by not keeping his commandments (Deut 8:11). They were warned against forgetting God when they found themselves in a comfortable situation. Saved from the wilderness and in the land, they would enjoy a full stomach, good houses, flourishing flock and gold (Deut 8:12-13).
When they found themselves in such a comfortable situation, they could lift their hearts up and forget the God who brought them out of Egypt, out of slavery (Deut 8:14). They could also forget how God provided for them through the wilderness and delivered them (Deut 8:15-16). Notice how Moses is oing out of his way to be specific about God’s actions. Deut 8: 15-16 are written in such great detail! “What has God done for me?” Chances are, we may speak about it in a very bland way, not like what’s written in these verses. What will happen if we are as intentional and specific like how Moses is writing here?
John Piper writes in a piercing way: “The critical question for our generation—and for every generation— is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?”
If your bank accounts are full, your health is good, your job is stable, where is God? Who is God to you? When life is smooth and good, who is Jesus Christ to you then? Friends, Jesus is far greater and far more worthwhile than all the “goodness” and material possessions of this world.
God’s people were also warned against thinking that their power and works have gotten them the wealth they had (Deut 8:17). Instead, they are to remember the LORD, for He gave them the power to get the wealth. He did so because He promised and covenanted with His people previously at Sinai (Deut 8:18). God is the giver of all good gifts as we read in Jas 1:17. He is the God who doesn’t change. This means that the food that we eat, our jobs, our relationships, our churches, our health are all not earned but are given by God. There is no room for pride or lifting our hearts up.
Moses also warned the people against forgetting the LORD and going after other gods (Deut 8:19). If they did so, they “shall perish”. This is a reminder that there are consequences for our actions on earth. Note the progression here: forgetting, then going after other gods, then serving and worshipping them, then perishing. We may make excuses and think that forgetting is harmless. But here we see how serious this is. It is grave and is something that we should avoid because it could result in us chasing after other gods and turning away from God a a result.
How can we so that? What practical steps can we take? Having friends that help us rehearse truths is one helpful way! God gives us the church to help us to remember. There are some days when we don’t feel like singing God’s praises or opening God’s word. But when we bring ourselves to gather with His people, even when our hearts don’t want to and even when we feel tired and busy, God also uses these circumstances to turn our eyes away from ourselves and this world, and to Him.
As you read this passage, what is God saying to you? Do you remember what God has done for you regularly? How would remembering our salvation story affect our daily lives? In what circumstances are you tempted to forget God and His commands? What practical steps can we take to prevent ourselves from forgetting God?