Deuteronomy 8:1-20
What does it say?
The Lord God treats the sons of Israel as a good Father treats his sons; he allowed them to struggle in the wilderness, that they may learn to trust him and observe all that he commanded them. However, things are about to change, because the Lord is about to give them a land of plenty. Moses warns them to remember the Lord your God in the land of plenty and do not forget to observe all that the Lord commanded them. Moses warns the Israelites, if you forget the Lord and go after other gods, it will not go well for them, the Lord will make them perish; like the nations who occupied the land before them.
What does it mean?
After Jesus baptism by John, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. During that time, Jesus was without food and he became hungry, so the devil used Jesus’ hunger to tempt him. The devil said to Jesus, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” In reply, Jesus gave the meaning of Deuteronomy 8, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.’” (Lk 4:1-4) Our bodies are very important, but we are more than our bodies. Jesus said that the great and foremost commandment is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Mt. 22:37) People on earth have bodies just like the animals of the earth, but unlike the animals, we are created in the image of God. (Gn 1:27)
What shall I do?
The heart represents what is important to us, the mind represents what we think about and the soul represents our lives. What is most important to you? What do you think about the most? Are you willing to lay down your life? Do you forget the Lord and his commandments in your day to day life or is his word ever present in your heart and mind? Do you take the time to listen to what God has to say before beginning your day?
