◄ Deuteronomy 8:14 ►
then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Study Bible
then your heart will become proud
This phrase warns against the spiritual danger of pride, a recurring theme throughout Scripture. Pride is often depicted as the root of sin, leading to a sense of self-sufficiency and independence from God. In the context of Deuteronomy, the Israelites are cautioned against becoming prideful after entering the Promised Land and experiencing prosperity. This warning is echoed in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." The Israelites' history shows that pride often led to their downfall, as seen in the narratives of kings like Saul and Uzziah.

and you will forget the LORD your God
Forgetting God implies a deliberate neglect of His commandments and a failure to acknowledge His sovereignty and provision. This forgetfulness is not merely a lapse in memory but a turning away from a covenant relationship with God. The Israelites are reminded of the importance of remembering God's past deeds, as seen in the Passover celebration, which serves as a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance. The call to remember is a central theme in Deuteronomy, emphasizing the need for continual faithfulness and obedience.

who brought you out of the land of Egypt
This phrase recalls the foundational event of the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The Exodus is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing God's power, faithfulness, and covenantal love. It serves as a type of Christ's redemptive work, as Jesus is seen as the ultimate deliverer who frees humanity from the bondage of sin. The Exodus narrative is frequently referenced throughout the Old Testament as a testament to God's saving acts and a call to trust in His future promises.

out of the house of slavery
The "house of slavery" refers to the Israelites' period of enslavement in Egypt, a time of great suffering and oppression. This phrase underscores the contrast between their past bondage and the freedom they now enjoy under God's guidance. It serves as a reminder of God's grace and the transformation from slavery to freedom, which is a theme echoed in the New Testament. In Romans 6:17-18, Paul speaks of believers being set free from sin and becoming slaves to righteousness, drawing a parallel to the liberation experienced by the Israelites.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's message to the Israelites.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt.

3. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved for 400 years before God delivered them.

4. The Exodus
The event of God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, a foundational moment in Israel's history.

5. The Promised Land
The land God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which the Israelites are preparing to enter.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride
Pride can lead us to forget God's past faithfulness and our dependence on Him.

Reflect on areas in life where pride might be creeping in and seek humility.

Remembering God's Deliverance
Just as the Israelites were to remember their deliverance from Egypt, we should remember our deliverance from sin through Christ.

Regularly recount God's past faithfulness in your life to maintain a heart of gratitude.

The Importance of Humility
Humility keeps us grounded and reliant on God rather than our own achievements.

Practice humility by serving others and acknowledging God's role in your successes.

Guarding Against Forgetfulness
Spiritual forgetfulness can lead to a life disconnected from God's guidance and blessings.

Establish spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and Bible study, to keep God's works at the forefront of your mind.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some practical ways you can guard against pride in your daily life?

2. How can remembering God's past deliverance in your life help you face current challenges?

3. In what ways can you cultivate humility in your relationships with others?

4. How does the warning in Deuteronomy 8:14 relate to the New Testament teachings on pride and humility?

5. What spiritual disciplines can you implement to ensure you do not forget the Lord's work in your life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 13:3
This verse emphasizes the importance of remembering God's deliverance from Egypt, similar to the warning in Deuteronomy 8:14.

Proverbs 16:18
This verse warns that pride precedes destruction, echoing the caution against pride in Deuteronomy 8:14.

James 4:6
This New Testament verse highlights God's opposition to the proud and His favor towards the humble, reinforcing the message of humility in Deuteronomy 8:14.
Sermons
God Forgotten Amid Second CausesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 8:7-20
Wealth Perilous to PietyD. Davies Deuteronomy 8:7-20
The Dangers of WealthJ. Orr Deuteronomy 8:10-19
Danger of RichesDeuteronomy 8:11-17
Forgetful of GodThos. le Blanc.Deuteronomy 8:11-17
Forgetfulness of GodJ. Bibb.Deuteronomy 8:11-17
God ForgottenDeuteronomy 8:11-17
National WealthC. Kingsley, M. A.Deuteronomy 8:11-17
Prosperity and Spiritual RuinJ. Halsey.Deuteronomy 8:11-17
The Christian Aspect and Use of PoliticsCanon D. J. Vaughan.Deuteronomy 8:11-17
The Journey Towards the Promised LandFrank Coulin, D. D.Deuteronomy 8:11-17
The Manna Which Humbled IsraelD. F. Jarman, M. A.Deuteronomy 8:11-17
The ScorpionR. Newton, D. D.Deuteronomy 8:11-17
People
Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Bondage, Bringing, Care, Egypt, Forget, Forgotten, Forth, Giving, Hast, Heart, Hearts, Lifted, Pride, Prison-house, Proud, Servants, Slavery
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 8:14

     5017   heart, renewal
     5764   attitudes, negative to God
     5802   care
     5810   complacency
     8805   pride, results

Deuteronomy 8:10-14

     7258   promised land, early history
     8763   forgetting

Deuteronomy 8:10-18

     5776   achievement
     8670   remembering

Deuteronomy 8:11-17

     5960   success

Deuteronomy 8:12-14

     4333   gold

Deuteronomy 8:13-14

     5399   luxury

Library
God's Training
DEUTERONOMY viii. 2-5. And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the …
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

The Lesson of Memory
'Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these lofty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no.'--DEUT. viii.2. The strand of our lives usually slips away smoothly enough, but days such as this, the last Sunday in a year, are like the knots on a sailor's log, which, as they pass through his fingers, tell him how fast it is being paid out from the reel, and how far it has …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

National Wealth
(Fifth Sunday after Easter.) Deut. viii. 11-18. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Emmanuel's Land
P. G. Deut. viii. 7-10 The land! the glory of all lands, Beyond the Jordan's wave; Beyond the weary desert sands-- The land beyond the grave! Now safe witin that glorious land, We prove His faithful Word; 'Midst Canaan's golden fields we stand, The ransomed of the Lord. Amidst the burning desert drought We learnt His watchful love; Streams from the flinty rocks He brought, Sent bread from Heaven above. Our God in weariness and need, His love was measured there By hunger which His hand would feed, …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
Eighteen and a half centuries ago, and the land which now lies desolate--its bare, grey hills looking into ill-tilled or neglected valleys, its timber cut down, its olive- and vine-clad terraces crumbled into dust, its villages stricken with poverty and squalor, its thoroughfares insecure and deserted, its native population well-nigh gone, and with them its industry, wealth, and strength--presented a scene of beauty, richness, and busy life almost unsurpassed in the then known world. The Rabbis never …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Temptation of Christ
Matthew 4:1-11 -- "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

Why all Things Work for Good
1. The grand reason why all things work for good, is the near and dear interest which God has in His people. The Lord has made a covenant with them. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. xxxii. 38). By virtue of this compact, all things do, and must work, for good to them. "I am God, even thy God" (Psalm l. 7). This word, Thy God,' is the sweetest word in the Bible, it implies the best relations; and it is impossible there should be these relations between God and His people, and …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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