This Bible study is all about what it means to fear the Lord and hunger after God, as shown in Deuteronomy 8-11.
As Moses continues to give God’s law to the new generation of Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, he reminds them of their future prosperity there. But this encouragement does not come without warning. They will need to be careful not to forget the Lord – something that is easy to do when living in prosperity. They will need to remember that their success has nothing to do with thier own righteousness, because they are just the instrument God has chosen to use. And they must also remember to observe all of God’s commands and decrees if they want to continue living in the blessings God has given them.
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Read about what it means to fear the Lord, before reflecting on it below.
Deuteronomy 8-11
Hunger for God
When the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, God provided for their hunger by giving them manna. God used their physical hunger to humble them and test them. Not because God needed to know what was in their hearts but because they did not know themselves. In the same way, God uses many forms of hunger in our own lives to humble and test us. We may hunger for the right job, the perfect husband, or the aesthetic kitchen. Growing in our relationship with God means realizing that He is the only One who can satisfy. We should hunger for Him and His word daily, as it was intended to be our daily bread.
What do you hunger for? How can you increase your hunger for God and His word (John 6:35)?
Fear the Lord – Do not forget Him
God was going to lead the Israelites into a prosperous land where they could reap what they did not sow and live in houses they did not build. Although this land was a blessing, it could become a curse if the Israelites let it. During times of prosperity, when you finally have everything you’ve worked for or dreamed of, it can be easy to forget the God who led you there. Moses cautioned the Israelites for this reason. He did not want a season of blessing and abundance to be the reason they stopped seeking the lord.
Are you faithfully seeking the Lord in your current season (Acts 17:27)?
Not because of your righteousness
Three times in three verses (Deuteronomy 9:4-6), the same idea is repeated. It was “not because of the Israelites’ righteousness” that they would possess the Promised Land. The reason God was giving it to them was because of the Oath he swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God was also using the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites because of how wicked they were, despite opportunities of repentance. Moses repeats this phrase because the Israelites need to understand that they will never be righteous without a savior.
Are you tempted to think that you’ve achieved or been given something because of your righteousness (Romans 3:20-24)?
Fear the Lord by remembering rebellion
Moses reminds the Israelites of their rebellion in the Wilderness after just receiving the Word of God from Mount Sinai. The Israelites had just witnessed the fire of God and heard His voice, yet when Moses left to meet with God, they faltered. In their weakness, they chose to make an idol instead of trusting in God’s Word. Here, Moses does not remind them of their rebellion to discourage them or make them feel defeated. Rather, he intends to encourage them because they can trust God in their weakness. The entire wilderness wanderings are marked by rebellion, yet God remains faithful and has brought them to the Promised land.
Are you struck by shame or guilt from your past? How can (and does) God use your past rebellion for His glory (Romans 8:28)?
Renewed Covenant
When Moses came down the mountain and saw the sin of the people, he broke the stone tablets, signifying Israel’s broken covenant with God. When God restored the relationship, He gave Moses new tablets with the same words written on them. God’s word and His commandments did not change because the Israelites sinned. Instead, they remained exactly the same.
Do you feel that God’s thoughts toward you have changed because of past rebellion? What is the truth about God that you find in the scripture (Malachi 3:6-7)?
Fear the Lord
As the Israelites prepared to walk into the Promised Land, God summarized His law by asking, “What does the Lord require of you?”. Here, we are given the answer. We are to fear the Lord, showing reverence for who He is and what He has done. We are to walk in obedience to Him, following His ways t shown to us in Scripture. To love God and show Him the worship that is due to Him. We are to serve Him joyfully in whatever roll He has placed us. And we are to observe His commands, obeying them even when it is difficult.
How do you fear the Lord in your daily life (Micah 6:8)?
Observe the commands
The Israelites were called to faithfully keep the commands of the Lord. This was done in part by remembering what God had done for them in the past. How God had reconciled Himself with the Israelites in spite of their rebellion against Him. It was because of the faithfulness of God that the Israelites should observe His commands and fear Him. The Israelites were also called to obey the commands as a condition of living in the Promised Land. This condition did not exist as a way to control the Israelites’ lives, but rather because God’s perfect law gives freedom. Living in obedience to the commands would ensure a long, contented life as they trusted in God for His provision.
Do you observe the commands of God? If you do, what is your motive? If you don’t, what is the reason (Psalm 103:7-18)?
Fix these words in your heart
Israel was called to fix the Words of God in their heart. To talk about them when they sat at home, walked along the road, laid down, and got up. The Word of God was to be ever-present in their lives, with reminders on their door frames and symbols on their hands. They were called to read and know the Word of God. But more importantly, they were called to treasure it. To take joy in the wisdom, comfort, and guidance it brought.
How much do you treasure the Word of God? Is it a constant conversation in your life, or do you reserve cracking the pages open for Sundays (Psalm 1:1-2)?
Reflect on what it mean to fear the Lord
So much of this section on fearing the Lord has to do with remembering the faithfulness of God in our rebellion and choosing to observe His word as a result of our gratitude and love toward Him. How do you fear the Lord practically, on a day-to-day basis? Take a moment to reflect on the faithfulness of God in your life.
This Bible study was about how the Israelites were called to fear the Lord in Deuteronomy 8-11.
