Deuteronomy 8 explained: Remember in Good Times

Why the hard years (vv. 1-2)

Moses speaks to Israel on the edge of the promised land and asks them to look back on forty years in the desert. The hardship is described as a test that brought out what was really in their hearts, whether they would trust and obey.

Not by bread alone (v. 3)

Manna was a strange daily food the people had never known, and living on it taught them that life is held up by God's word and not by food alone. Jesus quoted this line when tempted in the desert, and Christians read it as being about trusting God for what you need.

Cared for and corrected (vv. 4-5)

The text presents the fact that their clothes lasted and their feet held up on the long trek as signs of God's care. The hard times are compared to a parent correcting a child for the child's good, not an enemy striking to destroy.

A rich land ahead (vv. 6-10)

After the dry desert, the land is pictured with running water, grain, fruit, olive oil, honey (likely including a sweet syrup made from dates or grapes) and hills with iron and copper. When they ate and were full, they were to thank God for it.

The danger of comfort (vv. 11-18)

Moses warns that fine houses and growing wealth can make people proud and convinced they earned it all themselves. He reminds them of snakes, scorpions and water from rock, and says even the ability to build wealth is God's gift, a way of keeping the binding promise made to their ancestors.

A stark warning (vv. 19-20)

If Israel turns to other gods, it will be destroyed just like the nations being driven out ahead of it. The text is blunt here and gives Israel no exemption from the same judgment it saw fall on others.

Key verse: Deuteronomy 8:18

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether this chapter's link between obedience and material plenty applies to believers today, or belonged to ancient Israel's particular covenant and now speaks mainly about spiritual dependence on God.

Something to think about

When things go well in your life, how much of it do you credit to your own effort, and how much to luck, other people, or something beyond you?