Depend Totally on God
8: 1-20
This is the chapter of testing. Isra’el’s loyalty to YHVH is the theme. Two tests are addressed; one past and one future. First, Moses reminded the nation that they were humbled in the wilderness through hunger and hardship, however, YHVH provided for all of their needs. And when He was tempted in the wilderness, Yeshua also responded by saying: man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of ADONAI (Deuteronomy 8:3). Opposed to Isra’el, Messiah knew that His provision came only from His heavenly Father. Secondly, another type of testing awaited the Israelites in the Promised Land. But there, the testing would be reversed. It would not be of hunger and hardship, but of prosperity and plenty: So, you will eat and be full, and you will bless ADONAI your God for the good land He has given you. Take care that you do not forget ADONAI your God by not keeping His mitzvot, statutes (Hebrew: hachukkim, meaning to write into law permanently) and ordinances (Hebrew: hammishpatim, meaning a judgment of the court) that I am commanding you today (8:10-11). Unfortunately, Isra’el failed both tests.
In this chapter Moshe focuses on ADONAI, the source of all blessings. The new generation of Israelites needed to know that truth. This will be emphasized until the end of the book. Yeshua’s quotation of Deuteronomy 8:3 is very significant. It is there that we are beginning to see the close relationship between Isra’el and her Messiah. When Jesus quoted this passage, both Isra’el in Deuteronomy, and Christ in Matthew 4:1-11, had just finished a period of testing. For Isra’el it was forty years; for Yeshua it was forty days.
The number forty symbolizes testing, or judgment. Moses lived in Egypt for forty years (Acts 7:23), he lived in Midian for forty years (Acts 7:30), and he lived in the wilderness for forty years (Exodus 16:35; Numbers 32:13; Deuteronomy 29:5); King Sha’ul ruled for forty years (Acts 13:21); King David ruled for forty years (First Kings 2:11); and Solomon ruled over Isra’el for forty years (First Kings 11:42). The Flood lasted forty days (Genesis 7:17); the twelve spies were in the Promised Land for forty days (Numbers 13:21); Goliath came out and challenged the Israelites for forty days (First Samuel 17:16); and the Ninevites were given forty days to repent (Jonah 3:4).
Regarding this relationship between Isra’el and Yeshua, both shared the title of the Son of God. In the TaNaKh those who are called the Son of God are those who were created directly by God Himself. First, the angels (Job 2:1); second, Adam (Luke 3:38); third, Yeshua (Micah 5:2; Psalm 2:7 and Proverbs 30:3); and forth, Isra’el (Hosea (11:1). Hosea’s prophecy: When Isra’el was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I call My son, is quoted by Matthew about Yeshua, “He stayed there until Herod’s death. This was to fulfill what was spoken by ADONAI through the prophet [Hosea], saying: Out of Egypt I called My son” (Matthew 2:15). Therefore, both Isra’el and Jesus shared the same title, the son of God. But where Isra’el failed, ultimately, Messiah would succeed (see the commentary on Isaiah, to see link click Hl – The Cone of Isaiah). But once Christ’s word of redemption is done, Isra’el is reestablished as God’s servant (see the commentary on Isaiah In – He Made My Mouth like a Sharpened Sword).237
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