Deuteronomy 8:1-20, The Testing of God

It is very typical for God to lead His servants into the desert early in their lives, before He is ready to use them for ministry.  Jesus is a prime example.  So was Paul, Moses, as well as the people of Israel.  In a sense, we all spend time in the “desert.”  Why does God do this?  It is for our good.  He wants to know, or perhaps it is more accurate to say, He wants US to know what is in our hearts.  The dryness and difficulty of the desert reveals our hearts.

When we were in Jerusalem on one of our adventures we attended the Anglican Christ Church.  The pastor, David Pileggi, spoke on this theme.  Here are the main points of his sermon.  I get a lot from this outline without additional comment.

·       God will lead into the desert, place of tests. God’s seminary.

·       Satan will attack when we are weak.

·       The devil makes us do nothing.  We are responsible.

·       The devil comes as a theologian.  He tempts us to be relevant, powerful.

·       For us the key is:

o   To know who we are in Christ

o   To rely on Scripture

Here is an excerpt from my “diary” from April 14, 2020.  This was during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Today’s date is November 4, 2021, and the covid thing is still going on, strong, through some of the mutations.  With that, here was the observation I had from Deut. 8:11-20.

This passage applies to the coronavirus situation. It looks like it won’t be as bad as initially thought. Between inaccurate “guesses” and media hype. But still, what is the point of a plague, pestilence? This passage speaks to it in Israel.

1.  v16: to humble you, test you (v17). A test is not a judgment. A test is a situation; wrath is for unbelief.

2.  v18: to remind you who gives you wealth.

The USA is not Israel. But think of 10 plagues on Egypt. It served a purpose for Egypt AND Israel both.  What is our focus? Gov’t (either trust in or suspicion of)? Medical people? Your Creator?

Note that God tests us to do good in the end (8:16).  If I continue in my life in spiritual naivety, ignoring the promptings of my conscience, or rejecting the rebukes of those who really love me, or ignorant of the blind spots, I cannot complete the journey to the place the Creator has for me that will best bring Him glory.  How I need the desert.  How I need to attend every class in God’s seminary.