Thinking on Scripture with Dr. Steven R. Cook
Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
Moses previously explained that Israel was about to experience the test of prosperity, as God was about to bring His people into the Promised Land and give them homes, wells, and vineyards which had been built by others (Deut 6:10-11). Moses was concerned the prosperity would lead to amnesia and Israel would forget the Lord’s deliverance from Egypt and slavery (Deut 6:12), and he commanded them to stay faithful to God and worship Him only (Deut 6:13). Israel was not to engage in idolatry, as the pagans around them did (Deut 6:14), for Yahweh is a jealous God, who zealously seeks to protect His relationship with His people, and will become angry and render punishment if they violate the covenant (Deut 6:15). Now, Moses hearkens back to an event that occurred shortly after the exodus, saying, “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah” (Deut 6:16). The event Moses referred to occurred with the exodus generation nearly forty years earlier, in which Israel tested the Lord so that He might prove Himself to them (Ex 17:1-7). This was not necessary, as they’d personally witnessed His deliverance from Egypt and had benefitted from His provision as He led them into the wilderness. Warren Wiersbe writes:
Eugene Merrill adds:
God, because He is gracious and kind, gave them water from the rock (Ex 17:6), even though they complained against the Lord (Ex 17:7). Unlike their parents who demonstrated unbelief by complaining against God, Moses called for the second generation to live by faith and obey the Lord, saying, “You should diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and His testimonies and His statutes which He has commanded you” (Deut 6:17). What God had commanded (Heb. צָוָה tsavah) them was within their ability to do, and would bring blessing if they complied (cf. Deut 11:26-28). Here, in clear terms, Moses states that keeping God’s commandments means doing “what is right in the sight of the LORD” (Deut 6:18a). It must always be remembered that Israel was a theocracy and God was their Ruler, Lawgiver, and Judge (see Isa 33:22). The Lord had liberated His people from Egyptian slavery and offered them a covenant relationship which they accepted (Ex 19:1-9), which bound them in a relationship with Him. As their good King, God had every right to issue commands and direct their lives; not because He was a brutal tyrant who sought to subjugate and oppress them, but rather, that they might walk with Him and be blessed. If Israel would walk with the Lord and follow His commands, the result would be, “that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to give your fathers” (Deut 6:18b). Obedience would result in blessing. If Israel would follow the Lord, He would keep His word “by driving out all your enemies from before you, as the LORD has spoken” (Deut 6:19). God owned the land (Lev 25:23; Psa 85:1; Hos 9:3; Joel 2:18), and He would transfer ownership from one people to the next as He willed.
For the Christian, God gives us commands to guide our lives, which commands are consistent with His good character and when followed, guide us into right living which glorifies Him, benefits others, and helps us avoid the unnecessary suffering that results from bad decisions. And, like Israel, God will give us tests to help develop our relationship with Him and to reveal what is in our hearts that we might grow spiritually. Like Agur, we should seek neither poverty nor riches, lest we turn away from the Lord (Pro 30:7-9), and we should learn to be thankful, whatever our condition in life (Phi 4:11-13). It is generally true that most believers turn to the Lord in times of adversity, but fail to walk with God when prosperity comes; which might explain the failure of many Christians who live in America. Warren Wiersbe states:
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Equipped, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1999), 49.
[2] Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, vol. 4, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 172.
[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Equipped, “Be” Commentary Series, 49–50.
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