Thursday, April 11 – Deuteronomy 8, 9
Study Questions:
1. What terrible wilderness has GOD led you through?
2. What is the purpose of the Wilderness?
Commentary and Reflection:
Deuteronomy 8 and 9 is about how Jehovah GOD led Israel through the wilderness and why. This wilderness was not a walk in the park, not a hike in some national park, not even something as challenging as the Appalachian Trail, it was much, much more difficult and intense. Moses described it as great and terrifying, most likely because it was vast, inhospitable and deadly. There were scorpions and snakes under every rock, plus there was no water or natural food sources. It was hot by day and cold at night and yet Jehovah GOD led them through that roadless, barren and terrifying wasteland. However, He provided water, manna, shelter by day and protection by night for 40 years. He never left them.
But why? Jehovah GOD intentionally led Israel through this wilderness experience to reform their character, to redirect their affections, to change their thinking and purge their idolatry, pride and entitlement. He knew that the good life of the promised land would make Israel proud and forget Him, so He tested them in order to refine them.
In Romans 12:2, Paul says that in order for a person to change, their way of thinking must change. Our thoughts determine our future because thoughts shape our behaviors and attitudes. If our thinking changes, our life will change. Jehovah GOD needed to take Israel through experiences that would change their thinking; like allowing them to experience thirst and then quenching it with water, hunger and then feeding them manna, so that they would learn to depend on His every Word.
Most of God’s children go through a wilderness experience. Elijah, Moses, Hagar, the Baptist, and even Jesus Christ experienced a wilderness. This should encourage us not to fear or avoid our own wilderness experience. The wilderness is usually a short, temporary season of life. Our wilderness may look like suffering, scarcity, hardship, difficulties, persecution, or a loss. But as the Psalmist said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
In chapter 9, Moses tells Israel that they are not receiving this land because they are good people or better than the nations they are replacing, on the contrary, they have rebelled and provoked Jehovah God to anger from the first day they left Egypt, even going so far as making an idol at Sinai. The reason that they are getting this land is because Jehovah GOD is faithful and He is fulfilling his promise to Abraham.
Israel saw the glory of GOD, the display of miracle after miracle and yet, they still rebelled. Like Israel, we are stubborn and rebellious, doing our own, thing on our own terms. We’re not favored because we are good, but because Jesus is good. Jesus, like Moses, intercedes for us. We are loved because God is love.
We have worth because we were made by Him, and we are forgiven because Jesus died on the cross to forgive us.
On the other side of the wilderness is the promised land. A land of abundant herds and flocks, fruitful orchards and vineyards, silver and gold, iron and copper, and filled with many beautiful, already made, ready to move in homes. However, Israel did not have the character to manage or receive all that Jehovah GOD was giving them. Moses is concerned, for the same reason that we would be concerned about an individual receiving a loaded gun, or $70 million, or a powerful sports car if they did not have the character to wield such power. Moses hopes that they wouldn’t be corrupted by all the good Jehovah GOD was about to hand over to them. He encourages Israel not to forget that success and every good and perfect gift comes from a good and generous GOD.
It is good to remember that on the other side of our own personal wilderness is the promised land. Jehovah GOD will be with us through our wilderness and we will eventually enter and possess our promised land not because we are good, but because Jesus Christ made the way and we hold on to Him. Therefore, be faithful to obey His requirements and don’t forget Him.
Pastor Fidel Soto