Deuteronomy 8:1-2 All the commandments which I command you this day shall you observe to do, that you may live, and multiply… I. THE WAY in which the Lord led His people. 1. A way not chosen by themselves. Grace — freely bestowed (John 5:16). 2. A trying way. Walking by faith, not sight (1 Peter 1:7). 3. A mysterious way. (1) To the unregenerate world, who know nothing of the secret dealings of God with the quickened soul. (2) To the Christian. How dark sometimes! 4. A discouraging way (Numbers 21:4, 5). So the Christian is often discouraged. He wants to feel that he is going on spiritually; but he feels, more and more, his own helplessness. Some days he has most cheering and delightful thoughts of God; on others he feels bereft of faith, love, joy, hope, comfort, and every spiritual gift. 5. A way of tribulation (John 16:33). 6. A way in which God went before them (Exodus 13:21, 22). He is with every one of His people every moment, to keep them by His Almighty power, in the way of grace. II. THE PLACE in which the Lord led His people His people into the wilderness. 1. To humble. In order that He may magnify Christ in them. 2. To prove. That He may convince them of their own weakness. 3. That He may know what is in his heart — its secret corruptions, etc. (J. J. Eastmead.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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