The Dangers of Forgetting God
January 4, 2021
Commentary
Moses spells out the dangers of forgetting that God is the source of every blessing that we enjoy (v. 11). These Jews had been slaves in Egypt, having nothing, and soon they would be living in nice houses, taking care of their large flocks, and accumulating silver and gold (vv. 12-13). This kind of success has a way of making us proud (v. 14), and we can soon forget God and what we were before God called us.
God went on to remind Israel of where they had come from, what He had brought them through, and what He had done for them. “Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end (vv. 15-16).”
God’s reminder of His provision is next, “But you should remember the LORD your God: for it is He who gives you power to get wealth (v. 17), that He may establish his covenant which He swore unto your fathers, as it is this day (v. 18).” God will not let us steal His glory. He wants us to give Him glory for all that He does for us (vv. 19-20).
Application
It is so easy for me to forget to give God thanks, or credit, for the many things He does for me in this life. He is the one who has given me the promise of an abundant life, and He never fails to fulfill His promises. I just need to stop every once in a while and give Him praise for all He does.
Deuteronomy 8:11– 20 (NET)
11 Be sure you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments, ordinances, and statutes that I am giving you today. 12 When you eat your fill, when you build and occupy good houses, 13 when your cattle and flocks increase, when you have plenty of silver and gold, and when you have abundance of everything, 14 be sure you do not feel self-important and forget the Lord your God who brought you from the land of Egypt, the place of slavery, 15 and who brought you through the great, fearful wilderness of venomous serpents and scorpions, an arid place with no water. He made water flow from a flint rock and 16 fed you in the wilderness with manna (which your ancestors had never before known) so that he might by humbling you test you and eventually bring good to you. 17 Be careful not to say, “My own ability and skill have gotten me this wealth.” 18 You must remember the Lord your God, for he is the one who gives ability to get wealth; if you do this he will confirm his covenant that he made by oath to your ancestors, even as he has to this day. 19 Now if you forget the Lord your God at all and follow other gods, worshiping and prostrating yourselves before them, I testify to you today that you will surely be annihilated. 20 Just like the nations the Lord is about to destroy from your sight, so he will do to you because you would not obey him.
Illustration: The Forgetful Farmer
There’s a story about a man from the city who was visiting relatives on a farm. He was out walking around with the farmer when the farmer gave a whistle and his dog herded the cattle into the corral, and then latched the gate with her paw. “Wow, that’s some dog. What’s her name?” The forgetful farmer thought a minute, and then asked, “What do you call that red flower that smells good and has thorns on the stem?” “A rose?” “That? it!” The farmer turned and called out to his wife. “Hey Rose, what do we call this dog?” (Source Unknown).