Cautions Against Disobedience

Deuteronomy 6:12–25
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God warns His people that they are not to forget Him after they get into the land and experience His blessing (v. 12). He would bless them with children and grandchildren and increase their numbers greatly. He would also increase their crops and livestock so they would not only have plenty to eat but a surplus to sell. Prosperity, more than poverty, can dull our spiritual senses because it tends to make us feel self-sufficient instead of having a holy reverence for Him (v. 13).

God admonishes his people to not worship any of the gods of neighboring nations (v. 14) because he is a jealous God, and His anger will flare up against them and wipe them from the face of the earth (v. 15). They are to diligently obey the commands and laws he has given to them (vv. 16-17). He will drive out all the enemies living in the land, just as He had solemnly promised (vv. 18-19). Moses says, “In the future your children will ask you, `What is the meaning of these stipulations, laws, and regulations that the LORD our God has given us?’ Then you must tell them, `We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with amazing power, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people (vv. 20-23).” This does not mean that there will only be prosperity and no suffering when they obey God. What is promised is a right relationship with God. It is not a blanket protection against poverty, adversity, or suffering (vv. 24-25).

Application

My goal in life is not physical and material prosperity but a right relationship with the Lord. I have no way of knowing what trials and suffering I may experience in this life, but He has promised me eternity with Him.