We had an introduction to holy war in Numbers 31 when the Israelites destroyed the Midianites living in the area of Moab. Now Deuteronomy 7 declares more laws on holy war, specifically against the Canaanites. Besides the laws and the reasons for them, the blessings for obeying them and the curses for disobedience, recall what we saw about historical narrative in the last two days and notice the historical reference that will motivate their obedience: “You shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So will the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid” (Deuteronomy 7:18-19). Once again: the past, to motivate present obedience, to enjoy future blessings.
While Yahweh’s powerful deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt is the historical axle for the laws in Deuteronomy 7, the next chapter takes its lessons from the historical event of the desert wanderings.
The past: “And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness…” (Deuteronomy 8:2-5)
The present: “So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him” (Deuteronomy 8:6).
The future: “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land…” (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)
Point of thanksgiving in worship: “As a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you” (Deuteronomy 8:5; see also Hebrews 12:5-13).
Then there is a variation on this structure in Deuteronomy 8:11-20:
The prohibited future: “Take care…, lest when you have eaten and are full…, then your heart be lifted up…” (Deuteronomy 8:11-14)
The problem? They forgot their past: “And you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…” (Deuteronomy 8:14-17)
The solution? In the present: “You shall remember the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 8:18-20).
Point of thanksgiving in worship: “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).
As they conquer the Promised Land and enjoy the wealth of the land, the Israelites will walk in obedience to Yahweh through their living historical memory.
While Yahweh’s powerful deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt is the historical axle for the laws in Deuteronomy 7, the next chapter takes its lessons from the historical event of the desert wanderings.
The past: “And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness…” (Deuteronomy 8:2-5)
The present: “So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him” (Deuteronomy 8:6).
The future: “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land…” (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)
Point of thanksgiving in worship: “As a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you” (Deuteronomy 8:5; see also Hebrews 12:5-13).
Then there is a variation on this structure in Deuteronomy 8:11-20:
The prohibited future: “Take care…, lest when you have eaten and are full…, then your heart be lifted up…” (Deuteronomy 8:11-14)
The problem? They forgot their past: “And you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…” (Deuteronomy 8:14-17)
The solution? In the present: “You shall remember the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 8:18-20).
Point of thanksgiving in worship: “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).
As they conquer the Promised Land and enjoy the wealth of the land, the Israelites will walk in obedience to Yahweh through their living historical memory.
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