Deuteronomy 9:7
Remember this, and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place, you have been rebelling against the LORD.
Remember this and never forget
This phrase serves as a powerful admonition to the Israelites, urging them to keep in mind their past actions and God's deliverance. The Hebrew word for "remember" is "zakar," which implies not just recalling but also acting upon that memory. In a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging our past sins and God's grace in our lives. The dual emphasis of "remember" and "never forget" underscores the importance of continual mindfulness and gratitude.

how you provoked the LORD your God
The word "provoked" comes from the Hebrew "kaas," which means to anger or irritate. This phrase highlights the Israelites' repeated disobedience and rebellion against God. In a broader scriptural context, it serves as a warning against taking God's patience for granted. The conservative Christian view sees this as a call to self-examination and repentance, recognizing that our actions can grieve the Holy Spirit.

in the wilderness
The wilderness, or "midbar" in Hebrew, is not just a physical location but also a symbol of testing and reliance on God. Historically, the wilderness period was a time when the Israelites were entirely dependent on God's provision. For Christians, it represents times of trial and spiritual growth, where faith is tested and refined.

From the day you left the land of Egypt
This phrase recalls the Exodus, a foundational event in Israel's history. The departure from Egypt, or "Mitzrayim" in Hebrew, symbolizes liberation from bondage. In Christian theology, it parallels the believer's deliverance from sin through Christ. The conservative perspective emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past deliverance as a source of faith and hope.

until you reached this place
This refers to the journey to the Promised Land, a physical and spiritual journey. "This place" signifies the current point in their journey, a culmination of God's faithfulness despite their rebellion. For Christians, it serves as a reminder that God is faithful to complete the work He begins in us, as stated in Philippians 1:6.

you have been rebelling against the LORD
The Hebrew word for "rebelling" is "marah," which means to be contentious or disobedient. This phrase encapsulates the persistent nature of Israel's disobedience. In a conservative Christian context, it serves as a caution against habitual sin and the importance of aligning our lives with God's will. It underscores the need for repentance and the transformative power of God's grace.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is recounting their history and reminding them of their rebellion against God.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt but frequently rebelled against Him.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from Egypt and guided them through the wilderness.

4. The Wilderness
The desert area where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith.

5. Egypt
The land of slavery from which God delivered the Israelites, symbolizing bondage and oppression.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Remembering
Remembering past failures is crucial for spiritual growth. It helps us avoid repeating the same mistakes and keeps us humble before God.

The Nature of Rebellion
Rebellion against God is a serious sin that stems from a lack of trust and faith. It often leads to dire consequences, as seen in the Israelites' 40-year journey.

God's Faithfulness Despite Human Unfaithfulness
Despite Israel's repeated rebellion, God remained faithful to His covenant. This underscores His grace and mercy, encouraging us to rely on His faithfulness.

The Call to Obedience
Obedience to God is not just about following rules but about trusting His wisdom and goodness. Our obedience is a response to His love and faithfulness.

Learning from the Past
The history of Israel serves as a warning and a lesson for us today. We are called to learn from their mistakes and to walk in faith and obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does remembering past failures help us in our spiritual journey today?

2. In what ways do we see the nature of rebellion against God in our own lives, and how can we address it?

3. How does God's faithfulness to Israel despite their rebellion encourage you in your personal walk with Him?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure obedience to God in your daily life?

5. How can the lessons from Israel's history help us in our current challenges and decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The incident of the Golden Calf, where the Israelites rebelled against God shortly after receiving the Ten Commandments.

Numbers 14
The account of the Israelites' refusal to enter the Promised Land, leading to their 40 years of wandering.

Psalm 78
A psalm that recounts Israel's history of rebellion and God's faithfulness.

Hebrews 3:7-19
A New Testament reflection on the Israelites' rebellion and a warning to believers to remain faithful.
God Provoked At HorebR. South, D. D.Deuteronomy 9:7
Profitable RemembranceT. Kidd.Deuteronomy 9:7
Self-RighteousnessJ. Orr Deuteronomy 9:4-7
Human Memory a Repository of GuiltD. Davies Deuteronomy 9:7-17
Humiliating MemoriesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 9:7-29
People
Aaron, Anak, Anakites, Isaac, Jacob, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Horeb, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kibroth-hattaavah, Massah, Taberah
Topics
Anger, Angry, Arrived, Depart, Desert, Egypt, Forget, Forth, Hast, Mind, Orders, Provoked, Provokedst, Rebellious, Rebels, Remember, Till, Waste, Wentest, Wilderness, Wrath, Wroth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 9:7

     1025   God, anger of
     6021   sin, nature of
     6223   rebellion, of Israel

Deuteronomy 9:7-8

     6218   provoking God
     8670   remembering
     8764   forgetting God

Library
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord and said. Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou--wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray they, out of thy book which than hast written." In the preceding discourse we endeavored to show that the idea of being willing to be damned for the glory of God is not found in the text--that the sentiment is erroneous and absurd--then adduced the constructions which have been put on the text by sundry expositors,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

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

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