Free Because of the Lord

March 27, 2022 Background Scripture: Deuteronomy 8 Lesson Passage: Deuteronomy 8:1 -11 Oh, how difficult it is to warn a younger generation based on one's own experiences! Every generation seems to believe they know what's best for them. How quickly we dismiss older generations as being out of step with the times; and we tend to treat them as though their knowledge is not relevant for today or tomorrow. How can someone who remembers riding in a wagon pulled by a mule have something worthwhile to say to a young person driving a new sports car? The Bible is clear about this one thing, "There is nothing new under the sun." What is has already been, and what is yet to come, has already happened. In today's lesson, Moses had the unenviable task of preparing a new generation of Hebrews to enter the promised land of Canaan. This new generation of Hebrews was comprised of those who were either children in Egypt or born during the forty years of wilderness living after God delivered their parents from Egypt. God was not going to allow Moses to enter Canaan with them. Whatever advice, or wisdom, Moses had that would help them, he had to share it prior to them entering Canaan. Moses shared with them the relationship that existed between them, their ancestors, and God over the past forty years. He reminded them of the failures of their ancestors during those years and the faithfulness of God throughout the entire time. He reminded them of the times God humbled them by allowing them to suffer need, and then God supplied everything they needed. God hates human pride, and therefore taught them to be humble. Moses told them that God allowed their clothing to remain sufficient for forty years. Although they walked in a desert for much of that time, they didn't have problems with their feet swelling. God fed them for forty years with food that their ancestors had never heard of. This generation had survived the past forty years because of the hand of God. God was preparing to bring them into a land that would have more than they could possibly ask for. There would be more food, water, and wealth in that land than they could possibly imagine. It was this prosperous future that was of grave concern to Moses. Despite their humble past, their future prosperity could cause them to suffer amnesia. Some would forget that the invisible hand of God was orchestrating it all. God was leading them into this prosperity. Yet, they would be delusional and start believing that their own capabilities were causing them to prosper. Worshiping God would soon become old fashioned. If this were to happen, then they would perish as a sovereign nation in this world. These children of former slaves were taught humility by God for forty years. However, sometimes when we receive an overflow of blessings that we did not work for, we forget where those blessings came from. We forget that God is the One providing for us. We must learn to thank God when we are enjoying abundance. Otherwise, we could be tempted to give ourselves credit for what we have obtained as though our skills and knowledge were the key to gaining it. God gives us the power to get wealth. We acknowledge God by living according to His commandments and statutes. Our lives should reflect God's guidance more so than our wealth. God kept them when they did not have enough that they might appreciate God's blessings when they receive more than enough. Unlike their parents, they would live as free people. But they needed to remember that they were free because of the Lord. Robert C. Hudson February 21, 2022