Commentary on Deuteronomy 29:6

Verse Text: “Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.”

Introduction

The verse in question, Deuteronomy 29:6, reveals profound insights into the relationship between God and His people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This passage is part of a larger covenant renewal ceremony, emphasizing the significance of obedience, remembrance, and divine provision. Below, we synthesize insights from several esteemed public domain commentaries, weaving them together to provide a comprehensive analysis suitable for pastors, students, theologians, and scholars.

Contextual Background

As Israel stands on the plains of Moab, God, through Moses, addresses the Israelites before they enter Canaan. This instruction serves not only as a reminder of past experiences but also as a preparatory teaching for future independence in a new land. Highlighting the absence of bread and wine during their wilderness journey, God underscores a significant period of testing and divine sustenance.

Moses’ Exhortation

Moses takes a pivotal role in reminding the Israelites of their past. The commentaries suggest that Moses aims to shift their focus from reliance on physical nourishment towards understanding God’s providence and presence in their lives. The reliance on God is discerned in the deprivation of conventional means of nourishment during their forty years of wandering.

Theological Insights

Divine Provision

The absence of bread and wine symbolizes a unique period where God directly sustains them. Matthew Henry points out that this was a significant aspect of their survival, emphasizing “the miracle of their provision.” They were fed by heavenly bread (manna) and given water from the rock (1 Corinthians 10:4), which the Apostle Paul later correlates to Christ. This alludes to the idea that their physical needs were met in supernatural ways, intended to nurture spiritual understanding.

Testing and Knowledge of God

Henry further elaborates, asserting that this lack of earthly sustenance served to teach Israel that their true sustenance came from God alone. Albert Barnes expands on this theme, emphasizing that the deprivation of food and drink symbolizes a spiritual test aimed to demonstrate the depth of God’s care and presence. This period of testing was indispensable in making the Israelites conscious of their dependence on God's provision for both physical and spiritual sustenance.

Spiritual Lessons

• Recognition of God’s Lordship: As the passage states, “That ye might know that I am the Lord your God,” it signifies a divine intention for the Israelites to grasp the nature of their God (Barnes). Their experiences would facilitate a deep-seated acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, contrary to the norms of human sophistication concerning sustenance.
• The Nature of Faith: Adam Clarke remarks on the role of faith during this period, suggesting that Israel’s faith was challenged and reinforced through reliance on God alone. Such faith is formative for future generations as they navigate their covenantal relationship with God.

Applications for Today

For contemporary readers, this verse implores a reflection on how physical circumstances can impact spiritual awareness. Several applications arise which pastors and theologians may find pivotal:

Faith Formation in Adversity

In times of want or lack, we are fostered to deepen our trust in God. This resonates with the experience of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), where his reliance on the word of God became fundamental to his mission. Modern believers are similarly encouraged to seek sustenance in spiritual realms, often cultivated through trials.

Communal Remembrance

This passage calls the church to celebrate remembrance through community. Just as Moses intended for Israel to remember their sovereign God during challenging times, congregations today are invited to share stories of God’s faithfulness and sustenance throughout their collective history.

Awareness of God’s Sustaining Power

Moses’ message serves as a reminder of God’s unchanging nature as a provider. In our era where material abundance often distracts from spiritual realities, the emphasis on “not eating bread” serves as a call to recognize the divine source of all good gifts (James 1:17).

Conclusion

Deuteronomy 29:6 encapsulates vital spiritual truths regarding faith, reliance, and obedience. The synthesis of insights from respected commentaries underscores that the teachings Moses imparted were not only pertinent to the Israelites but resonate with the church today. In challenging periods of life, believers are prompted to recognize God as their ultimate source, reaffirming their commitment to a relationship grounded in faith, obedience, and spiritual nourishment.