When I have brought them into the land that I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. Then they will turn to other gods and worship them, and they will reject Me and break My covenant. When I have brought them into the landThis phrase signifies God's active role in fulfilling His promises. The Hebrew root for "brought" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which means to come or bring. It emphasizes God's sovereignty and faithfulness in leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. Historically, this reflects the culmination of the Exodus journey, a pivotal moment in Israel's history, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. flowing with milk and honey
This phrase paints a vivid picture of abundance and prosperity. The Hebrew words "זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ" (zavat chalav udevash) describe a land rich in resources, symbolizing God's provision and blessing. Archaeologically, the land of Canaan was indeed fertile, supporting agriculture and livestock. This imagery serves as a reminder of God's generosity and the blessings that come from obedience to His will. the land I swore to give their fathers
Here, the emphasis is on God's covenantal promise. The Hebrew word for "swore" is "נִשְׁבַּע" (nishba), indicating a solemn oath. This phrase underscores the continuity of God's promises from the patriarchs to their descendants, highlighting the faithfulness of God across generations. It serves as a reminder of the divine assurance that God’s promises are irrevocable and trustworthy. and they eat their fill and prosper
This phrase indicates the physical and material blessings that come from living in the Promised Land. The Hebrew root for "prosper" is "שָׂבַע" (sava), meaning to be satisfied or full. It reflects the idea that God's blessings can lead to complacency if not accompanied by spiritual vigilance. Historically, this prosperity was a test of Israel's faithfulness, as abundance often led to spiritual forgetfulness. they will turn to other gods and worship them
This phrase warns of the spiritual danger of idolatry. The Hebrew root for "turn" is "פָּנָה" (panah), meaning to turn away or face. It signifies a deliberate choice to abandon God for false deities. In the historical context, the Israelites were surrounded by pagan nations, and the temptation to adopt their practices was strong. This serves as a cautionary tale about the allure of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God. and they will reject Me
This phrase highlights the personal nature of Israel's rebellion against God. The Hebrew root for "reject" is "נָאַץ" (na'ats), meaning to despise or spurn. It conveys a deep sense of betrayal and ingratitude towards God, who had delivered and blessed them. This rejection is not just a turning away from commandments but a personal affront to the relationship God desires with His people. and break My covenant
This phrase underscores the seriousness of Israel's disobedience. The Hebrew word for "break" is "פָּרַר" (parar), meaning to annul or violate. It indicates a breach of the sacred agreement between God and Israel. The covenant was central to Israel's identity and relationship with God, and breaking it had severe consequences. This serves as a reminder of the importance of covenant faithfulness and the repercussions of disobedience. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's message to the people. He is preparing them for his departure and the transition of leadership to Joshua. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are about to enter the Promised Land after wandering in the desert for 40 years. 3. The Promised LandReferred to as "a land flowing with milk and honey," it symbolizes abundance and God's faithfulness to His promises. 4. Other godsThe false deities that the Israelites are warned against worshiping, representing the temptation to idolatry. 5. The CovenantThe solemn agreement between God and the Israelites, which they are at risk of breaking through disobedience and idolatry. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness and Human ForgetfulnessGod is faithful to His promises, as seen in His provision of the Promised Land. However, humans often forget God's goodness when they become prosperous and self-sufficient. The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is a recurring temptation for God's people. We must guard our hearts against anything that takes the place of God in our lives. The Importance of Covenant FaithfulnessThe covenant relationship with God requires obedience and loyalty. Breaking the covenant leads to spiritual and often physical consequences. Prosperity as a Test of FaithProsperity can be a test of faithfulness. We must remain vigilant in our devotion to God, even when life is comfortable and abundant. The Role of Remembrance in Spiritual LifeRegularly remembering God's past faithfulness helps prevent spiritual complacency and idolatry. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the promise of a "land flowing with milk and honey" reflect God's character and His relationship with the Israelites? 2. In what ways can prosperity lead to spiritual complacency in our own lives, and how can we guard against it? 3. What are some modern-day "gods" or idols that can tempt us away from our covenant relationship with God? 4. How can we actively remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in our daily lives to prevent spiritual forgetfulness? 5. How does the warning in Deuteronomy 31:20 challenge us to examine our own faithfulness to God's covenant today? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 3:8This verse describes God's promise to bring the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey, highlighting His faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Judges 2:11-15This passage recounts how the Israelites turned to other gods after entering the Promised Land, fulfilling the warning given in Deuteronomy 31:20. Jeremiah 11:10This verse speaks of the Israelites breaking the covenant, echoing the prophecy in Deuteronomy 31:20 about their future disobedience. Hosea 13:6This verse reflects on how prosperity led the Israelites to forget God, similar to the warning in Deuteronomy 31:20. People Amorites, Israelites, Joshua, Levi, Levites, Moses, Nun, Og, SihonPlaces Jordan River, MoabTopics Agreement, Break, Breaking, Bring, Broken, Covenant, Despise, Despised, Eat, Eaten, Fat, Fathers, Fill, Filled, Floweth, Flowing, Forefathers, Full, Gods, Ground, Grown, Honey, Honouring, Keeping, Longer, Milk, Named, Oath, Promised, Prosperous, Provoke, Rejecting, Satisfied, Serve, Served, Spurn, Sware, Swore, Sworn, Themselves, Thrive, Turn, Wax, Waxed, Waxen, WorshipDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 31:20 4404 food
6231 rejection of God
8032 trust, lack of
8224 dependence Deuteronomy 31:20-21 5477 property, land Library Pilgrim Song
Gerhard Ter Steegen Deut. xxxi. 8 On, O beloved children, The evening is at hand, And desolate and fearful The solitary land. Take heart! the rest eternal Awaits our weary feet; From strength to strength press onwards, The end, how passing sweet! Lo, we can tread rejoicing The narrow pilgrim road; We know the voice that calls us, We know our faithful God. Come, children, on to glory! With every face set fast Towards the golden towers Where we shall rest at last. It was with voice of singing We …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and OthersFirst Sunday in Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 6, 1-10. 1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain 2 (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, and in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): 3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
Hence, let us learn, my brethren, the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopia of Scripture, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863 Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
^A Matt. IV. 23-25; ^B Mark I. 35-39; ^C Luke IV. 42-44. ^b 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up went out [i. e., from the house of Simon Peter], and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. [Though Palestine was densely populated, its people were all gathered into towns, so that it was usually easy to find solitude outside the city limits. A ravine near Capernaum, called the Vale of Doves, would afford such solitude. Jesus taught (Matt. vi. 6) and practiced solitary …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 31:20 NIVDeuteronomy 31:20 NLTDeuteronomy 31:20 ESVDeuteronomy 31:20 NASBDeuteronomy 31:20 KJV
Deuteronomy 31:20 Commentaries
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