1143. Israel or Lest We Forget

Israel or Lest We Forget

Thou Shalt Remember the Way the Lord Led Thee (Deu_8:2, f. c.).

Thou Shalt Remember How the Lord Led Thee to Prove Thee (Deu_8:2, l. c.).

Methods by the Way–Afflictions (Deu_8:3; f. c; Deu_8:5).

Methods by the Way–Blessings (Deu_8:4).

Beware Lest Thou Forget (Deu_8:11, Deu_8:18).

Beware Lest Thou Say (Deu_8:14, Deu_8:16).

The Punishment When We Forget (Deu_8:19-20).

We are living in days when men are forgetting God. "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib," but people will not consider.

There were ten lepers whom the Lord cleansed and to whom He gave orders to show themselves to the priests. Of the ten there was but one who returned and gave thanks to God. The question, "Where are the nine?" was put by the Master. We doubt if the precentage is even so large to-day. How few there are who really give thanks to God.

The 78th Psalm gives us picture after picture of God's wonderful provision for the children of Israel. Each time, however, the picture is spoiled by the ingratitude of the people. Such words as these are found throughout the chapter:–

Marvelous things did He–

He divided the sea,

In the daytime He led them with a cloud,

All the night with a light of fire,

He cleaved the rocks in the wilderness;

And they sinned yet more against Him.

He commanded clouds from above,

He rained down manna upon them,

He rained flesh also upon them,

They did eat and were well filled,

He gave them their own desire;

For all this they Binned still and believed not His wondrous works.

He smote all the first-born in Egypt,

He guided them in the wilderness like flocks,

He led them on safely,

He brought them to the border of His sanctuary,

He cast out the nations before them,

He divided them an inheritance by line,

Yet they tempted and provoked the Most High God,

They kept not His testimony,

They turned back and dealt unfaithfully.

Such is the story of the unbelief and ingratitude of Israel. Let us follow carefully and prayerfully the study of Deuteronomy 8, as we seek to learn how God led Israel and warned them against ingratitude.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR