Deuteronomy 8:5

5 And thou shalt know in thine heart, that as if any man should chasten his son, so the Lord thy God will chasten thee.

Deuteronomy 8:5 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 8:5

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart
Frequently think of, and meditate upon, revolve in their thoughts, well weigh in their minds, and take into thorough and deliberate consideration in their hearts; it being a matter of great moment and importance to them for their peace and comfort and the glory of God, namely, what follows:

that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee;
that they stood in the same relation to God as a son to a father, and therefore happy and honourable; that all their afflictions came from God, were appointed, sent, directed, and overruled by him for his own glory and their good; that these were the chastenings and corrections of a father, and were not done in wrath, but in love, and therefore should be patiently endured; and it became them to consider well from what hand they came, and in what manner, and for what ends and purposes, how they ought to behave under them, and what they should do, as follows.

Deuteronomy 8:5 In-Context

3 And he afflicted thee and straitened thee with hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thy fathers knew not; that he might teach thee that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God shall man live.

4 Thy garments grew not old from off thee, thy shoes were not worn from off thee, thy feet were not hardened, lo! these forty years.

5 And thou shalt know in thine heart, that as if any man should chasten his son, so the Lord thy God will chasten thee.

6 And thou shalt keep the commands of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

7 For the Lord thy God will bring thee into a good and extensive land, where there are torrents of waters, and fountains of deep places issuing through the plains and through the mountains: