The book of Deuteronomy is extremely interesting to read. It consists of a series of farewell addresses delivered by Moses to the second generation of Israelites as they camped on the plains of Moab, poised to cross the Jordan River and conquer the Promised Land.
There were three speeches which make up the primary content of the book. In the first speech of Moses was a historical review highlighting God’s faithfulness to Israel (1:1-4:43). The second (longest speech) was Moses’ restatement of the terms of God’s covenant with Israel (4:44-26:19). The third speech was a call by Moses for Israel to renew that covenant with God (27:1-30:20).
Moses’ second speech was an expansive, hours-long address that restated the Ten Commandments, detailed the covenant laws for life in the promised land, and concluded with a solemn series of blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion. It is estimated that a normal speaking cadence would require between 2 and 2.5 hours to complete the speech. This makes a single article fairly ineffective as an attempt to summarize the material. There is simply to much to discuss.
Instead, consider a single statement in that speech. “You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah” (Deuteronomy 6:16). The incident to which Moses’ referred had happened soon after they left Egypt, (about 6 weeks).
It took about 30 days for the nation to reach the Wilderness of Sin after departing Egypt. It is thought that approximately 5-7 days after departing the Wilderness of Sin that Israel established a camp in Rephidim. What occurred there is recounted both in Exodus 17, and Numbers 20. At that time, the people contended with Moses because of a lack of water in the camp. Moses answer is interesting and on point here, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?” (Exodus 17:2).
Only six weeks previously, God had parted the waters of the Red Sea, allowing them to pass over. He then drowned the Egyptians who sought to harm them. In this He had shown his care and ability to protect them. We are told in the Exodus, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people” (Exodus 13:21-22).
He had already answered a complaint of the people regarding water, making the bitter waters of Mara sweet through the actions of Moses casting a tree into the waters. He had already been supplying them quail to eat in the evening, and manna each morning (Exodus 16). Seeing it was such a short period of time, and God had evidenced Himself through His works for the entire expanse of that time, there was no excuse for the attitude the Israelites were showing in Exodus 17.
Here, God had Moses strike a rock to bring forth water. God told Moses, ‘”Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.’ And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:6). The event concludes in verse 7, “So he call the name of the place Massah (tempted) and Meribah (contention) because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’”
In our text, Moses admonished the children of Israel not to allow that tempting of God to happen again. His providence and care was abundantly evident throughout their time in the wilderness. That unceasing demonstration of His love for Israel must lead them to trust Him.
Interestingly, Jesus referred to these words of Moses during his temptation at the hands of Satan recorded in Matthew 4:7. The devil had taken Him to the pinnacle of the temple and challenged Him to throw Himself down. This was done to “prove” He was the Son of God, and that the Father would protect Him. Jesus responded, “It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (a direct quote of Deuteronomy 6:16).
After the warning of verse 16, note Moses’ instructions in the next several verses: “You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the LORD swore to your fathers, to cast out all your enemies from before you, as the LORD has spoken.” (Deuteronomy 6:17-19). This is what God required of them (and us) rather than our testing Him. Basically three things: Diligent obedience (17); Moral integrity (18a); and Active Trust in Him (18b-19).
Regarding that obedience. God demands diligence. It is not passive. It is a deliberate, daily effort to practice God’s law.
Moral integrity means living by God’s standard of justice rather than our own human desires. Testing God occurs because men expect God to conform to their desires! This is opposite of what God expects from His creation!
The true child of God trusts His Creator. The Lord has spoken (promised) our victory through Jesus (cf. Romans 8:31-39). He has demonstrated this victory beyond dispute. We should accept His assurance without the need for any other signs or promises from Him. Accept God’s faithfulness!
