G-d’s Purpose to make us like Messiah

Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
July 31, 2010

Deuteronomy 8: 17, “you will think to yourself, 'My own power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.'”
Deuteronomy 9:4-6 "Don't think to yourself, after your God has pushed them out ahead of you, 'It is to reward my righteousness that ADONAI has brought me in to take possession of this land.' No, it is because these nations have been so wicked that ADONAI is driving them out ahead of you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness, or because your heart is so upright, that you go in to take possession of their land; but to punish the wickedness of these nations that ADONAI your God is driving them out ahead of you, and also to confirm the word which ADONAI swore to your ancestors, Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov. 6 Therefore, understand that it is not for your righteousness that ADONAI your God is giving you this good land to possess. "For you are a stiffnecked people!”

The Israelites were about to take possession of the land. It was his provision for them given by grace. They didn’t deserve the land nor had they earned it. However, his warning to them is interesting because he tells them ahead of time that they will think it was based upon their own merit that they were given the land or because of their own righteousness. He knew they would be inclined to forget him and the gift he had given.

We also need to be careful and listen to these warnings and remember what G-d has given us is by grace as well. If we think we accomplished something on our own or that we deserve something we are indicating that our hearts are going away from G-d and trusting in ourselves just as the Israelites would have done after G-d gave them the land.

How can we avoid this inclination and be aware of our own spiritual health? When we are spiritually healthy we will be hungry for G-d and hungry for his word as well as being willing to serve others. We cannot separate our love of G-d from the Word of G-d. Deuteronomy 8:3 tells us we live by everything that comes from the mouth of G-d. Also, in Colossians 3:16, “let the Word of the Messiah, in all its richness, live in you, as you teach and counsel each other in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God in your hearts.” Our hunger for G-d and G-d’s Word will also be demonstrated by our meditating upon it as we think about it and talk about it. Receiving G-d’s word in our minds and hearts is like eating and drinking and serving others is like exercising. We will be healthy spiritually practicing these two basic principles.

Likewise, it is important to balance our spiritual and physical wants and needs. Deuteronomy 8:3, “He humbled you, allowing you to become hungry, and then fed you with man, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that a person does not live on food alone but on everything that comes from the mouth of ADONAI.” There is no condemnation in wealth, only becoming a slave to wealth. Only living for G-d will satisfy and we live for G-d by receiving what he has for us through circumstance and through his word as well as giving. The danger comes when we begin to think we accomplish things in our own strength.

In the passages of Deuteronomy 8, G-d is testing and humbling. Two tests were delineated; adversity and prosperity.

Looking at adversity testing, we can rebel or submit, despise G-d or seek G-d, have illusions of abandonment or trust G-d, and become negative or bitter or become more Messiah-like. And looking at prosperity testing, we can forget G-d or remember G-d, have illusions of security or thank G-d for what he has provided, become lukewarm or become more Messiah-like.

Why does G-d test and humble us?

Psalm 119:67, “Before I was humbled, I used to go astray; but now I observe your word.” and Psalm 119:71, “It is for my good that I have been humbled; it was so that I would learn your laws.” Our testing focuses us on spiritual and eternal values. Testing and humbling us shows us he truly loves us and we are his. Hebrews 12:5-6, “Also you have forgotten the counsel which speaks with you as sons: "My son, don't despise the discipline of ADONAI or become despondent when he corrects you. 6 For ADONAI disciplines those he loves and whips everyone he accepts as a son." He tests and humbles us to do us good in the end to make us Messiah-like and to ultimately give us rewards at the Bema.

Know this - our testing and humbling is purposeful and G-d’s provision is to bring us good in the end. Deuteronomy 8:16, “who fed you in the desert with man, unknown to your ancestors; all the while humbling and testing you in order to do you good in the end.” The meaning of good in the end here is in the intensive form which means he really means to do us good. G-d wants to do good for us in the end and make us Messiah-like. 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost.”


DISAPPOINTMENT

"Disappointment--His appointment,"
Change one letter then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.

His appointment must be blessing,
Though it may come in disguise
For the end, from the beginning,
Open to His vision lies.

"Disappointment--His appointment,"
Whose? The Lord's who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;

For, the loving, earthly parents,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts unquestioned
All that from His wisdom flows.

"Disappointment--His appointment,"
"No good things will He withhold."
From denials oft we gather
Treasurers of His love untold.

Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust;
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
---Edith L. Young


Further Reading: Deuteronomy 8:15-19, Psam 66:10-12, Job 5:17-21, Hebrews 12:5-11, 1Peter 2:2, James 1:21, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 5:17, 2 Timothy 2:19, 2 Corinthians 4:15-16, Proverbs 3:11-12, Romans 8:28-29, 1 Peter 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, James 5:11, Job 23:10, Psalm 18:35, Philippians 1:6, 1 John 3:2, James 5:11, Job 42:10, Job 8:7, Psalm 138:8, Proverbs 24:16