Deuteronomy chapter 8

vs 1

I have a feeling you will have this saying memorised by the time you've finished Deuteronomy. It's funny - I am sure, when being read out, such repetition makes it easier to remember. But when I'm reading it, I tend to gloss over similar statements.

vs 2

"Oh, no. The 40 years in the wilderness was a test? But I didn't know, or else I wouldn't have bitched and moaned the whole time!"

vs 3

God does teach in allegorical ways. We can't discount allegory. We just have to be careful about how we do it and what pictures we pick. When God makes one clear like this, it's sort of a freebie.

vs 4

What did that represent? The faithfulness of God? Seems likely, but that's pretty general.

vs 5

Deuteronomy is like the Hebrews of the Old Testament. Wait, that's probably the other way around. Moses is given access to the mind and heart of God in a way that has not been so directly revealed so far in the Bible. Really, the only thing that beats it is Jesus.

vs 6

What has struck me reading this is that this is the first time a statement like this has been made. Or if not, then at least an early time. And even now, the description of a relationship with God, and of obeying him, is one of walking. This stuff is starting to interest me - because the simple fact is that literal walking probably doesn't make you all that much better a servant of God. So it is figurative walking, which means that we have to work out why the author has used the metaphor they have. Walking obviously suggests a journey. So it's putting the obedience of God in a present continuous mode. There is so much focus on obedience and reverence of God alone. This is the bedrock foundation God builds his people on.

vs 7-9

The way this is translated (and it's probably fair), it puts this description of the wonderful land they are going to move into - rich in tasties, regular staples, and mineral resources (Civ Advisor suggests developing Iron Working so that we can develop: Ass Kickery) - in terms of "this is the reason that you should walk in obedience and reverence with God, because he is giving you this awesome land." Part of it will be that if they ever want to truly claim this land that God is giving them, they will need to be obedient to him, and upright.

vs 10

You might think this sounds like the obvious thing to do. But of course, the obvious thing to do is sit down and say, "Bugger me, that was hard work. We're doing so well, though. Yay us! We're awesome. Oh, and look, I brought home this idol." So perhaps it's best to be told.