Deuteronomy Chapter 8
It had been a long 40 years wandering through the wilderness in a desert-like climate. The people had been through so much. There had been times of hunger and thirst, yet God took care of their every need. They had food and water, and He even kept their clothes from falling apart in all those years. He blessed their feet with good health for all the walking they had to do.
When a person joins the military there is an initial preparation period called boot camp. During boot camp one is tested and stretched beyond what you think you are capable of. And all of it is for one purpose; it is to mold you to become the soldier that the military needs you to be to accomplish its purposes. Ironically going through the difficult days of boot camp builds confidence in yourself as well as your team. You realize that you can do more than you thought possible when everyone works together. While it is not a perfect example, God in a sense put Israel through a boot camp in the wilderness years. He tested them not to create a confidence in self but a confidence in Him.
“God tested Israel. One purpose of the testing was to know what was in their heart, and if they would be obedient even in humble, dependent seasons. It was not because God didn’t know their hearts, but because they didn’t know their hearts. Believers must constantly be corrected for their overestimation of themselves.” [Guzik]
Let's Reflect
1. God told the Israelites that He led them through the wilderness, a very difficult journey, on purpose. According to verse 2 what is the first step that is necessary for a heart to be yielded to God?
2. God allowed them to experience hunger so they would know that it was God who supplied their every need. People have a tendency to think that all that they have, food and possessions, has come about because of their own doing. The testing and stretching of the Israelites taught them that He was their only source. According to verse 3 what did God want the people to depend on?
3. In verses 4 and 5 in what way did God explain that the things He did for Israel can be compared to a father taking care of his children?
4. God wanted His people to keep His commandments. He also wanted them to know ahead of time what a wonderful gift the promised land would be. His plan was for them to enjoy it and to possess all of it. How was the promised land described?
5. What warning was given to the people in regard to being given such a great blessing?
6. When things are going great and people are experiencing the bounty of the land, what might they think and say according to verse 17?
7. What further warning is given to those who completely forget about the Lord and begin to worship other gods?
