Deuteronomy 8 Devotional

More Than Bread

“He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”Deuteronomy 8:3 (BSB)

Forty years in the wilderness had a purpose, and Moses names it. God led Israel there to humble and test them, to bring into the open what was in their hearts (8:2). He let them hunger and then fed them with manna, food no one had known, so they would learn that life depends on every word from the LORD's mouth, not on bread alone (8:3). Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell (8:4). Even the hard years were a father's discipline (8:5).

When Jesus was hungry in the wilderness and tempted to turn stones into bread, he answered with this verse (Matthew 4:4). Moses then names a quieter danger than hunger: plenty. Once Israel has fine houses and growing herds, they may think their own strength made their wealth (8:17). But it is the LORD who gives the power to gain it (8:18). Whether in need or in plenty, the life you have is received, and every meal can be a reason to bless the one who gave it (8:10).

To think about: What has God given you lately that you have quietly started to credit to your own strength?