Chapter eight of Deuteronomy (like chapter seven) is structured chiastically. But because of the richness of this material, we will take two sessions to cover the one chiasm. “All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers” (Deuteronomy 8:1-10).
Again, the central point of this chapter is emphasized at the point of the chiasm. This point is then reiterated in the last two verses of the chapter, which stand alone.
A Land was sworn to forefathers; the command is given today (v. 1).
B Wilderness was a place of humbling, testing and provision (vv. 2-6)
C The land before you is good (vv. 7-9)
D You will eat and be full; bless the Lord (v. 10)
E Do not forget the Lord (v. 11)
D’ You will eat and be full (v. 12a)
C’ The land before you is good (vv. 12b-14)
B’ Wilderness was a place of humbling, testing and provision (vv. 15-16)
A’ Wealth, covenant with forefathers, as today (vv. 17-18)
And then verses 19-20 go back to reinforce the central point—do not forget the Lord. There is to be no compromise. Observing the command of God, and living, and multiplying, and possessing the land, are all to be considered together (v. 1). God is fulfilling His gracious promise to their fathers.
As God takes us through this process, we frequently forget that testing is a test. Why me? Why now? Why this? These are questions we commonly ask whenever an affliction of any magnitude comes upon us. The Lord leads us in trial (v. 2). He humbles us by means of trials (v. 2). He does this in order to reveal what is truly in our hearts, whether we are sunshine Christians only (v. 2).
We learn here that man does not live by bread alone. Of course our Lord Jesus applied these words to Himself when He was tempted in the wilderness to turn stones into bread (Matt. 4:4). We are to see the Word of God becoming our bread, not stones becoming our bread. And the Word of God is not heavenly jam for earthly bread. The Word of God is our bread.
God humbles us and makes us hungry (v. 3). Remember that Adam was created hungry. God makes us hungry so that He might provide us with heavenly bread—bread outside the categories of rebellious “wisdom” (v. 3). He did this with a lesson in view; God did this so that He might make us know that man does not live by bread alone—that is, bread ripped out of the world God made. Of course, God’s provision is not limited to food; He includes clothing and health. Notice how Jesus connects the same sort of items (Matt. 6:25).
Consider this in your heart. The way a man chastens his son, so the Lord God chastens His children. If you do not receive chastening, then you are illegitimate bastards, and not true sons (Heb. 12:8). Because God chastens, therefore keep His commandments, walk in His ways, and fear Him (v. 6).
God does not opt for a permanent solution for idolatry by removing good gifts from us entirely. He does test us for a time, but then He always gives us responsibility again, and tells us (again) to remain faithful. The land He gives is a good land (vv. 7-9). The land contains water, grain, orchards, honey, much bread, and mountains full of metal. The Lord blesses us, and we are to bless Him in return (v. 10). This has no good synonym in English; it means that we are to extol Him as an overflow of satisfaction.
The lessons we must remember from this small portion of Scripture are profound. Unify the world—we are to see all things as formed and given by the Word of God. Bless the Lord—we must be a glad, happy, contented and obedient people. Do not forget—teach your children. We forget these truths most easily as one generation gives way to another.