W. Robert Godfrey

I don't think it's too much to say that Jesus is alluding to Deuteronomy 8 in the Great Commission.

Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you.

They are to live by all the commands that proceed from my mouth.

Jesus is establishing himself as Lord and God of his people and very much in the spirit of Deuteronomy 8 is saying that what he teaches is how his people are to live because he is the God in the midst of them and we are to be a holy people unto him.

And so all of this, I hope, is helpful as we think about the call to serve the Lord and to honor him.

And again is the reminder in verse 17 that as they enjoy the gifts of the Lord, they are not to think that it is their own power that has given these things to them.

Verse 17 of chapter 8, "...beware lest you say in your heart, my power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth."

Maybe that's a bit of a reflection on what Jesus was thinking in the wilderness.

I'm waiting for God's timing in the wilderness to provide what I need.

And remember, after the temptations are over, God sent the angels to minister to Jesus.

He's depending on God and on God's power and on God's time, not on what he will accomplish on his own.

You shall remember, verse 18, the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to his fathers as it is this day.

And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.

So here is this constant, we might almost say drumbeat.

There's a rhythm to this.

There's a constancy of statement, a warning the people and directing them.

And again, as I said at the beginning, you'd think they might be able to remember this.

It's not that hard, children.

No idols.

Listen to the Lord.