God Is Faithful

Moses:  ⁶ “For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you (Israel) to be His own special treasure. ⁷ The LORD did not set His heart (love) on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! ⁸ Rather, it was simply that the LORD loves you . . . . ⁹ Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands. ¹⁰ But He does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject Him. ¹¹ Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today. ¹² If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the LORD your God will keep His covenant of unfailing love with you, as He promised with an oath to your ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). ¹³ He will love you and bless you, and He will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land He swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. ¹⁴ You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless (barren), and all your livestock will bear young. ¹⁵ And the LORD will protect you from all sickness. He will not let you suffer from the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all your enemies!” Deuteronomy 7:6-15 (NLT)

In Deuteronomy 7, Moses continues his farewell address to a new generation of Israelites before entering into God’s Promised Land. Sadly, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian slavery repeatedly rejected God’s love, rebelled against His authority, ignored God’s moral commands, and even worshipped other gods (e.g., see Exodus 32:1-35; Numbers 14:9-12; Numbers 21:4-7; Numbers 25:1-9; Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:7, 11-12, 16-17, 23-24; Deuteronomy 32:8-14; Psalm 106:24-27; Acts 7:39-43). Even worst, the first generation of Israelites did not trust and believe that the living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was strong enough to give Israel the Promised Land (see Numbers chapters 13 and 14; Deuteronomy 1:32-40). The first generation of Israelites visibly witnessed God’s mighty hand and miraculous action to defeat the Egyptians and their gods and goddesses (e.g., Exodus 14:14, 25; Deuteronomy 1:29-31). However, the first generation of Israelites repeatedly disobeyed the living God. Because of their repeated unfaithfulness, disobedience, and rebellion, the first generation of Israelites wandered the wilderness desert for 40 years and eventually died in the wilderness (see Numbers 14:21-23, 28-30; Deuteronomy 1:35-38; Deuteronomy 32:13; Joshua 5:6). Now, a new generation of Israelites listened to Moses’ farewell address in Deuteronomy as they prepared to enter God’s Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 1:1-3, 5, 39-40).

On the border of the Promised Land, Moses encouraged a new generation of Israelites that the living God would be with and fight for Israel and give Israel victory over all their enemies (Deuteronomy 7:1, 17; see also Exodus 23:23; Deuteronomy 1:30-31; Deuteronomy 3:21-22; Deuteronomy 20:4; Deuteronomy 31:3). The LORD God was Israel’s Redeemer and Divine Warrior that fought and protected Israel (e.g., see Deuteronomy 1:30-31; Deuteronomy 6:21-23; Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 20-24; Deuteronomy 8:14-16; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 11:2-7; Deuteronomy 26:6-9; Deuteronomy 31:4). The living God was going ahead of Israel to destroy and defeat seven nations greater and mightier than Israel – the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites – to give Israel the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 7:1; e.g., see also Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15:18-21; Genesis 17:7-8; Deuteronomy 4:38; Joshua 3:10). Even more, the living God was using His people Israel to punish these wicked and evil nations of their sins (see Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:4-5; Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

Once in the Promised Land, Moses instructed the Israelites to destroy those wicked and immoral nations occupying the land and not submit to worshipping their gods nor following their immoral lifestyles (Deuteronomy 7:2-5, 16; see also Exodus 23:24). The LORD God would not permit intermarriage, political treaties, or any toleration to the pagan religions nor their idols of the land (Deuteronomy 7:3-4, 25-26; see also Exodus 23:32-33; 1 Kings 11:1-13). The reason was obvious: any link with those godless nations and their immoral religion would lead Israel into idolatry and undermine their wholehearted love, obedience, and devotion to the living God (see Exodus 23:24-25; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). The living God demanded Israel’s exclusive allegiance, love, and worship to Him (e.g., see Exodus 20:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 5:8-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 13, 15-17; Matthew 4:7, 10; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37; Luke 4:8, 12; see John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6). The foundation of the covenant relationship and the entire Holy Bible is to love the LORD God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength first (e.g., see Deuteronomy 5:7-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 12-15; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37). The living God wanted Israel’s heart to be fully devoted to Him!

Then, Moses reminded Israel who they were in God’s eyes – a people holy to the living God (Deuteronomy 7:6; e.g., see also Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 26:19; Deuteronomy 28:9). The God of glory graciously elected Israel from all the people on the face of the whole earth to be His own chosen people and special treasure (see Deuteronomy 7:6). Through Israel’s devotion and obedience to the living God and His commands, Israel would be “a peculiar treasure” unto God and a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (see Exodus 19:5-6). The living God wanted to assure Israel would be a holy, wise, and righteous nation wholeheartedly devoted to Him as their only true God and obedient to His moral commands (Deuteronomy 7:6, 9; see also Deuteronomy 4:5-8, 35, 39-40; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Similarly, the living God has called the church (the new Israel of God) to be “the salt of the earth,” “the light of the world,”  “living and holy sacrifice . . . good and pleasing and perfect” like His Son, Jesus (see Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 6:16; Philippians 2:14-15; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peters 2:5, 9-10).

Moses reminded Israel that the living God graciously choose Israel and poured out His covenant love upon Israel not because they were a larger nation than any others, for Israel were the smallest of all nations (see Deuteronomy 7:7). Deuteronomy makes clear that God chose Israel out of pure grace! The living God did not select Israel for their impressiveness, goodness, righteousness, or their faithfulness (see Deuteronomy 9:5, 24). Rather, the LORD God chose Israel because He loved them, and He had made absolute and unconditional promises to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give Israel a good land flowing with milk and honey (Deuteronomy 7:8; see also Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 10:14-15). Because of God’s grace and faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He brought Israel out of Egyptian slavery with such amazing power, His strong hand, and mighty miracles (Deuteronomy 7:8; see also Exodus 3:20; Exodus 6:6-8; Exodus 13:14-16).

As a recap, Abraham and Sarah were idol-worshipers in Ur of the Chaldeans (modern day Iraq) when “the God of glory” appeared to them (Genesis 11:27-32; Genesis 12:1-7; Joshua; 24:1-3; Acts 7:1-3). Upon their calling, Abraham and Sarah had no children; yet God promised Abraham that he and his descendants would be as numerous as the sands of the seashore and the stars of the heavens (e.g., see Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17-18; Genesis 28:14-15; Genesis 32:12). Abraham and Sarah believed God (see Genesis 15:1-7), and later they had one son, Isaac (see Genesis 21:1-7), and Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob (see Genesis 25:19-28). From Jacob’s twelve sons came the twelve tribes of Israel (see Genesis 29:31-35; Genesis 30:1-22; Genesis 35:16-18; Exodus 1:1-5). When Jacob’s family gathered in Egypt, there were seventy people in all (see Genesis 46:26-27; Exodus 1:1-5; Deuteronomy 10:22; Acts 7:14), but by the time they were delivered from Egypt, Jacob’s family had become a great and strong nation as God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 1:6-7, 9, 20; Exodus 12:37).

Then, Moses reminded Israel that the living God is the only faithful and awesome God of the heavens and earth (Deuteronomy 7:9, 21; see also Deuteronomy 4:35; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3). The LORD God faithfully keeps His continual love, mercy, and goodness to those who love Him and who obey His commandments (Deuteronomy 7:9; e.g., see also Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; 2 Chronicles 26:14; Nehemiah 1:5; Psalm 18:25). Nevertheless, the living God rejects and punishes those who hate Him and disobeys His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 7:10; see also Nahum 1:2-3). Therefore, Moses encouraged Israel to always faithfully love the living God and obey His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 7:11; see also Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

With our love and obedience to the LORD God and His commandments, Moses assured Israel that the LORD God would love, bless, and show mercy to Israel and make Israel into a great nation (Deuteronomy 7:12-14; see also Deuteronomy 28:1-14). The living God promised to make Israel fertile, bless Israel with children and grandchildren, and increase their numbers greatly (see Deuteronomy 7:13-14). Also, the LORD God promised to increase Israel’s crops, livestock, and animals, so that Israel will have large crops of grain, grapes, and olives, and great flocks of cattle, sheep, and goats (see Deuteronomy 7:13-14). Even more, God promised to take away all Israel’s sickness and not let Israel suffer any of the diseases the Egyptians suffered (Deuteronomy 7:15; see also Exodus 23:25). Moreover, the LORD God promised to make Israel blessed above all the nations of the earth (see Deuteronomy 7:14). All blessings and fullness flow from God’s gracious hand (see Deuteronomy 8:1-20). Thus, Israel’s devotion and covenant obedience to the living God was important to the nation’s present and future spiritual health and political future. However, privilege always brings responsibility, and Israel’s responsibility was to love and worship the LORD God only and obey His commandments (Deuteronomy 7:12; see also Joshua 23:9-11; Matthew 6:33). Though the covenant God made Abraham had few conditions, Israel was obligated to keep the covenant at Mount Sinai for the Abrahamic covenant to remain in force (see Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 28:1-14).

Once again, Moses reminded Israel not to fear nor be afraid of their enemies or any other nation, whether great or small (Deuteronomy 7:17-18, 21; see also Numbers 14:9; Deuteronomy 1:29-31). The LORD God would fight for Israel and conquer Israel’s enemies; even nations more powerful than Israel as He did to the Egyptians (Deuteronomy 7:17-18; see also Deuteronomy 31:6). The living God brought His terror, mighty miracles, and strong hand upon the Egyptians and defeated them for His beloved Israel (Deuteronomy 7:19; see also Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 6:20-23). The LORD God Almighty promised to use His same miraculous signs and wonders, terror, strong hand, and outstretched powerful arm to go before His people Israel and open the way for victory (Deuteronomy 7:19-20, 22-23; see also Exodus 15:12-16; Joshua 2:8-11 Joshua 10:9-11).

The living God is a great and awesome God, and His gracious Presence was with Israel, as with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob  (Deuteronomy 7:21; see also Genesis 15:1; Genesis 26:24; Genesis 28:15; Exodus 33:12-17; Deuteronomy 6:15; Deuteronomy 10:17; Nehemiah 1:5). Even more, believers of Jesus can also know that truly “the LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:7, 11 NIV; see also Matthew 1:23; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6). With the living God on Israel’s side, no one would be able to defeat Israel (Deuteronomy 7:24; see also Psalm 118:6; Romans 8:31; 1 John 4:4). Truly, if Israel remained faithful and obedient to the living God, then “no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn” (see Isaiah 54:17, KJV; see also Genesis 15:1). Therefore, Moses instructed Israel to be brave and courageous, but forever obedient to the living God (see Numbers 14:9; Deuteronomy 7:21; Deuteronomy 31:6)!

For believers of Jesus, many people ask do these Old Testament promises of God apply to New Testament believers of God’s Son, Jesus. The answer is YES! Through our faith in Jesus, believers – rather Jewish or Gentile – become part of God’s family, a declared a descendent of Abraham, and become part of the church, which is the new Israel of God (e.g., see John 1:12-13; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:6-9, 26-29; Galatians 6:16). The early church understood itself to be in a genuine succession of Israel and thus the inheritors of all the blessings promised to Israel (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10). All who are born again through faith in Jesus are “chosen in Him [Jesus] before the foundation of the world” (Deuteronomy 7:6; see also John 3:3-8; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Like Israel, the church is God’s chosen people and His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10). Like Israel, the living God calls the church to love Him with our whole hearts, become a light to the lost world, and obedient to His moral commandments (e.g., see Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 22:37; John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6).

One day, the church will become the bride of Christ, adorned in bright and pure white with her righteous acts, and “priests of God and of Christ”(see Ephesians 5:25-29; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 19:6-8; Revelation 21:2, 9; see also Proverbs 31:10-31). At Mount Sinai (Horeb), God promised the Israelites that if they would obey His voice and keep His commandments, they would become to Him a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6; see also Isaiah 61:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9-12; Revelation 14:12). Corporately, the church is a kingdom with Jesus as Ruler and individually as priests.

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Dr. Loyd Melton, Ph.D., Senior Professor of New Testament (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2016).

Metzger, Bruce. Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1993).

Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998).