Deuteronomy 8:1 meaning

Moses commands Israel to carefully observe the whole commandment of God in order to live and multiply, and go in and possess the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 8:1 summarizes the essence of Moses’s teaching. He began with an appeal to Israel to observe the whole commandment of God, that they might receive the promised blessing. He said to them, “All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do.” The word commandment refers to the whole legal corpus of ordinances and statutes of God. Moses’s emphasis on all the commandments suggests that of the many commandments, not one was negotiable. Thus, if the Israelites tried to pick and choose which commandment to follow, they would not please their covenant partner (Yahweh) because He required complete obedience.

The call to total obedience is followed by positive consequences. The Israelites needed to obey their Suzerain (Ruler) God wholeheartedly in order that they might live and multiply in the Promised Land. The verb “to live” is used here in its most basic sense to mean “live physically,” that is, to occupy the land and remain in it. Thus, Moses told the Israelites that careful obedience to God’s precepts would allow them to live in Canaan, which was a precondition to receiving many of the promised blessings.

Failure to please God in the land would result in either Israel’s death or removal from the land. While being chosen as God’s own possession (Deut 7:6) was an act of grace, apart from any deeds of Israel, receiving the promised blessing required pleasing God through obedience. Moses’ description of the obedience God required was to observe the whole commandment of God, in order to secure the blessing of being able to live and multiply, and go in and possess the Promised Land.

The verb translated “to multiply” refers to numerical growth, a form of blessing that was common in the ancient Near East. In fact, numerical growth was one of the elements of God’s promises to the patriarchs (Genesis 12, 15, and 26). Obedience to the entire legal corpus of God would fulfill God’s requirement to receive the promised blessing for family, property, and livestock to grow exceedingly.

The Israelites were to obey the Suzerain God in order that they might go in and possess the land. The gift of land was before Israel, but they needed to go in and possess it. God had unconditionally granted the land to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 15:8-18), but possessing what was given required obedience. To possess something is to inherit it; that is, to have all power and authority to claim it as one’s belonging. The land of Canaan, which was previously occupied by other nations, would become Israel’s possession. However, the Suzerain (Ruler) God, the giver of the land, set the requirements for possessing the gift. Israel (as vassals) must obey the LORD their Suzerain God in order to possess the land which He swore to give to their fathers. The prior generation had failed to obey their Suzerain God, and had lost their inheritance, their opportunity to possess their possession (Hebrews 3:7-11).

God gave the land of Canaan to Abraham and his “descendants forever” (Genesis 13:15). This was an unconditional and irrevocable promise (Romans 11:29). God chose Abraham’s descendants (Israel) to be His own possession (Exodus 19:4-6) and they were the ones who would inherit the land and live in it. However, to enjoy the benefits of the land and to remain in it, the Israelites needed to conform themselves to the standards of the Suzerain God who granted the land. Therefore, it was imperative for Moses (as Israel’s leader) to encourage the people to remain loyal and obedient to the LORD, and observe the whole commandment of God.

Biblical Text

All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your forefathers.

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Additional Resources

Book Theme

The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and last book of the Torah (“law”). It continues the story of the first 4 books and picks up exactly where the book of Numbers ends (with the people on the plain of Moab). Therefore, as we set the context for the book of Deuteronomy, it is important that we briefly summarize the theme of the previous books to see how the story of God unfolds.

Genesis describes God’s plan to bless the Israelites and the world through one man named Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). Exodus focuses on God’s loving act by which He rescued the Israelites from Egypt in order to have a covenant relationship with them. Once the children of Israel are redeemed, Leviticus instructs them to live a holy life that reflects the life of their covenant redeemer (cf. Lev. 19). Since the first generation of the Israelites failed to obey God wholeheartedly, the book of Numbers displays a strong contrast between God’s faithfulness and the nation’s failure. That is why the book of Deuteronomy reiterates and expands on the covenant to a new generation of Israelites poised to enter and conquer the Promised Land. The message of the book is centered around two key terms: love and loyalty (Deut. 6:4-5).

Outline of Deuteronomy:

I. Introduction: Moses will explain the law (1:1 – 5)
II. Moses’ First Sermon – a Recounting of the LORD’s Faithfulness (1:6 – 4:43)
III. Introduction to Second Sermon on expositing the Law (4:44 – 49)
IV. Moses’ Second Sermon – an Exposition of the Law Given at Mt. Sinai (5:1 – 26:19)
V. Script for Covenant Renewal Ceremony Once they enter the land (27:1 – 29:1)
VI. Moses’ Third Sermon – a Call to Obedience (29:2 – 30:20)
VII. The Last Acts of Moses (31:1 – 34:12)

Chapter Context

Deuteronomy 8 tells us God’s reason for putting Israel through difficulty in a hostile wilderness, and requiring them to rely on Him daily for their basic necessities. God did it for their good. He was training them to possess the Promised Land in a manner that would bring them blessing rather than destruction.

This chapter reminds the people of God’s provision, providing them with food, water, and clothing. This included manna — a previously unknown food God miraculously provided. Now Israel has been promised they will occupy the land, if they are courageous and obedient. In contrast to the lack of food and hardships experienced in the wilderness, Israel will enjoy prosperity in the land of Canaan and will lack nothing (Deut. 8:9; 6:3; 11:9). The Israelites are to remember that their blessing comes from their Suzerain (Ruler) God, not from themselves. They are to be grateful rather than prideful.

Moses uses the wilderness experience to encourage Israel to remember, know, and keep the entire commandment of God. Moses states that if the Israelites forget their experience and turn away from the Suzerain God to worship other gods, they will be defeated just as the original inhabitants of Canaan. The chapter can be outlined as follows:

I. Moses commands Israel to carefully observe the whole commandment of God in order to live and multiply, and go in and possess the Promised Land (v. 1).

II. Moses calls Israel to reflect on and carry lessons learned from the discipline and training they received in the wilderness experience in order to walk in God’s ways and to fear Him. (vv. 2-6).

III. Moses urges Israel to bless and thank God when they live a life of material abundance in the Promised Land. He exhorts them to choose an attitude of gratitude. (vv. 7-10).

IV. Moses exhorts Israel not to forget that their wealth in Canaan is God’s provision for them, just as the manna of the wilderness has been. He exhorts them to remain grateful, and give way to pride. (vv. 11-16).

V. God’s objective in disciplining and training Israel was for their good. God was seeking their best interest. Now Moses warns Israel against the danger of not listening to the voice of their Suzerain (Ruler) God, the one from whom all blessings flow. Failing to hear God’s voice would bring divine judgment on Israel, just as it did to the original inhabitants of Canaan. (vv. 17-20).

Deuteronomy 8:1 meaning

Check out our other commentaries:

Exodus 23:10-13 meaning

John 18:25-27 meaning

Zechariah 2:6-13 meaning

Matthew 21:8-11 meaning

Exodus 20:22-26 meaning

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Chapter Context

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The Bible Project - Deuteronomy Summary

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