Deuteronomy 8 Study Notes

8:11 Forgetting the Lord is not simply failing to recall that God exists, but acting as though he does not. It does no good to call him Lord and refuse to do what he says (Lk 6:46).

8:12-17 Self-sufficiency has a tendency to turn into pride and forgetfulness in the environment of our sinful natures.

8:18 No matter how clever, intelligent, or hard-working a person might be, success flows only from the gracious hand of the Lord (Jms 4:13-16). Israel’s prosperity must be interpreted as the fulfillment of ancient promises made to the patriarchal ancestors as part of the covenant blessing the Lord would lavish upon them (Gn 15:14; 17:6; Dt 28:1-6). By blessing them in this manner the Lord would confirm his covenant to Israel.

8:19-20 The threat that Israel would perish cannot mean utter annihilation because the promise God made to the ancestors was that they would endure forever (Gn 17:7; Ps 105:9-10; Jr 33:25-26; Rm 11:25-32). In light of future events, the perishing of Israel was her exile from the land and the cessation of her self-governance, which interrupted the dynasty of David. Even that was not complete because a remnant remained in the land (Jos 15:63; 16:10; Jdg 2:20-23).