Remember What You Have Been Taught

INTRO

Deuteronomy means the “Second Law.” Deuteronomy 17:18: “When he is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.” This was not a new law; it was just reinstating what they had already been told by their forefathers. Moses was preaching this sermon at the Plains of Moab to the young Israelites. Deuteronomy 6 explains that this law had to be on the Israelites’ hearts first.

TEACHING

Deuteronomy 7: This chapter provides tangible instructions about the conquest of the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 8:1-10: Moses reminded the Israelites the importance of following God’s commands so they would live and multiply and take possession of the Promised Land (v. 1). He then reminded the Israelites of the 40-year journey God had taken them through in the wilderness (v. 2). Moses used the word “remember” four times over the next few chapters, emphasizing the Israelites’ response to what God had done for them in the past. Wiersbe points out that “the devil tempts us to bring out the worst in us, but God tests us to bring out the best in us”:¹

1 Peter 1:6-7: You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

James 1:3: “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

Psalm 17:3: “You have tested my heart; You have examined me at night. You have tried me and found nothing evil; I have determined that my mouth will not sin.”

Psalm 66:10: “For You, God, tested us; You refined us as silver is refined.”

Revelation 2:23: “I will kill her children with the plague. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”

Moses pointed out that God had humbled His people by letting them go hungry (v. 3), and then giving them manna, something their fathers had not even known of. All this, so that His people might learn that they did not live on bread alone (Matthew 4:4; John 4:34). Wiersbe said that “each morning during their wilderness journey, God sent the Jewish people “angels’ food” to teach them to depend on Him for what they needed.”²God has given us a teachable spirit to receive His teachings.

In verse 4, Moses reminded the Israelites that while on that journey their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. Wiersbe points out that this was a sign of God’s care for them.³Jesus expressed God’s care in Matthew 6:31-33: “So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you" (Psalm 37; 1 Peter 5:7; Nehemiah 9:21).

In verse 5, Moses reminded the Israelites that God had been disciplining them as a father would his son. Wiersbe states that “discipline is an evidence of God’s love and of our membership in God’s family.”⁴Discipline implies we don’t have an option; testing gives us an option. When God disciplines us, we will see fruit.

Hebrew 12:5-11: “And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Moses then repeated the instructions that were most important to the Israelites. They were to keep God’s commands by walking in His ways and by fearing Him. Then, God would give them abundance in the Promised Land (vv. 6-7). Moses told the Israelites that God was going to pour out His blessings on them, and that they should remember His commands (vv. 10-14).

CLOSING

Deuteronomy 9 is about Israel’s history and future––Israel’s self-righteousness and rebellion, and Moses’ intercession. Moses continued to remind the Israelites of the Lord’s commands. He wanted them to remember all that they had gone through, and all that the Lord had taught them. Over and over again, Moses instructed the Israelites to look at all God had done and to keep His commands so they would be blessed. The Lord had tested, taught, and disciplined the Israelites during the 40 years in the wilderness.