If you ever seriously considered the Book of Deuteronomy, you were sure to see the wonder, the mercy and longsuffering providence of Almighty God as He worked with rebellious Israel. God set before Israel a magnificent land that flowed with milk and honey, and He told them in so many words, “Go get it!” (Exodus 3:8; Leviticus 20:24; Deuteronomy 26:9). An objective look at Israel from the time of their leaving Egyptian bondage to the time of their preparing to enter Canaan reveals a startling situation. Their history was always the same! There would be a period of halfhearted obedience in which they would prosper, and then there would come a period of rebellion and outright apostasy. In this span of time, they questioned every communication from God. Even in times of disobedience, God lovingly entreated them to return to obedience. “The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes” (Deuteronomy 1:30 NKJV). “You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you” (Deuteronomy 3:22).
In our day and time, we know that God has not chosen for Himself a national people, whom He blesses exclusively. Note the following scriptures. “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35). The hope of Heaven is set before all men (Hebrews 6:18). This is quite evident and easily understood. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Through God’s loving providence, Israel was rescued from abject bondage in Egypt and set on a course to enter Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. Just so, and in true analogy, mankind today is entreated by God’s loving call to escape the bondage of sin and set on a course for Heaven. The hope that is set before mankind today is infinitely more desirable and worthy than the Land of Canaan was to the Jews. That land was certainly more desirable than the slavery they endured in Egypt, but that desirable release from bondage was short-lived. They still had to face the trials of life that the Prophet Job described in his writings. “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue” (Job 14:1-2).
The apostle Paul warned, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). What is there for us to learn from reading the history of Israel? We can employ the wisdom of an old adage, and that wisdom will surely enable us to make a wise decision about what we do, where we go and with whom we share the moments of our earthly sojourning. The adage is, “Fool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice, shame on me!” By observing what happened to others who either obeyed or disregarded the commandments of God, we can arrive at a better answer than if we had no clue as to what to do. When Israel sinned, the nation was punished. When the people obeyed, God blessed them abundantly! We can expect the exact same thing today! Israel had the promise of a goodly land, but we have the promise of an eternal city in the presence of God. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
