Enduring Life's Detention _ Deuteronomy 8

Enduring Life’s Detention

zarahlim 3/18.2009

ENDURING LIFE’S DETENTION Deuteronomy 8 PART 1: A LESSON ON DISCIPLINE & DEPENDENCY

(vv.1-5)

God’s Parenting Technique: 1. Discipline - The Israelites had to undergo the long years in the desert “to humble them and to test them in order to know what was in their heart, whether or not they would keep His commands.” (v.2) 2. Provide – God provided food for them in the form of manna; their clothes never wore out, their feet never swelled during the forty years. (v.3) 3. Teach – God humbled them by making them experience hunger (after their usual bountiful treats in Egypt) “to teach them that man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” God taught them that He is all that they need. In the midst of a “detention session,” God still proved His love and faithfulness by providing for the Israelites’ basic needs. The disciplining that took place is still for the Israelites’ benefit, not God’s. They had to understand that despite going through difficult and trying times, they have to “be careful to follow every command…” so that “…they may live and increase…” In short, FOLLOW GOD AND BE BLESSED. PART 2: THE NECESSITY OF HEEDING THE CALL (vv.6-20) 1. A call to obedience is not to be dreaded. The command “Observe the commands of the Lord your God…”(v.6) is actually an invitation to the blessing that lies ahead – “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land…” (vv.7-9). We must not dread a call to follow God because it’s us who will benefit when we obey. We’re serving God, yes, but He does that to teach us that following Him will never leave us empty handed. In fact, it gives us more opportunity to live a better life. So it’s actually for our own good to obey God. God doesn’t need our obedience, it’s us who does! - Deut.10:12 “…observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” 2. A call to remembrance is never to be taken lightly. (vv.11-15) “Be careful that you do not forget…when you eat and are satisfied…then your heart will become proud and forget God...” (v.18) “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

Enduring Life’s Detention

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zarahlim 3/18.2009

Reminders are set in place to teach us about humility – to remind us that God is the source of life, of everything that we have. He has set these reminders, laws and decrees so that we won’t forget the One who makes it possible for us to live blessedly. WARNING TO THOSE WHO TAKE THE REMEMBRANCE CALL LIGHTLY: “If ever you forget the Lord your God…you will surely be destroyed.” (v.19)

PART 3: (RECAP) God commands us to observe His commands and follow them, not for His benefit, but for ours. Rewards await those who heed his call; destruction for those who choose to follow their own path.