Deuteronomy 32:6 "Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?"
There are many times in the Word of God when we are asked questions by the
Lord, Himself. After Adam transgressed in the Garden of Eden, God asked,
"Where art thou?" Yes, God knew exactly where Adam and Eve were
hiding. This question was asked for the intention of causing Adam to think
about the consequence of his actions. "Where are you Adam? I
am hiding." Though God did not ask the question directly, the next thought
would be, "Adam, why are you hiding from God?" The answer would
have to be, "Because I have sinned." We know he tried to blame
everyone but himself, but it was Adam's own transgression that brought about
the separation in fellowship from God. Another time, God asked Jacob,
"Why is thy name?" God knew Jacob's name, but He was bringing
him to the place of acknowledging his inability and need for the Lord.
God intends for us to look inside ourselves for our motives in actions when He
asks questions.
What does this have to do with today's devotion? Moses had spoken of the
"spots" of the people. He was comparing their sins to leprous
spots. He then asked, "Do ye thus requite the Lord"? Is this
how you repay the Lord? First, let us be reminded we are saved by the
sovereign grace of God. His salvation is full and free to us; yet, of great
cost to the Lord. We could never "repay" the Lord for all He
has done for us. But our lives should reflect that grace that has been given to
us through the work of our Lord. The question was not intended to make them
think they could ever actually repay the Lord for all He had done for
them. But it was to make them (and us) think about how our lives are to
be seen as the redeemed of the Lord.
I just answered the second question in our text today. "Is not he thy
father that hath bought thee?" Yes, indeed God has paid the ransom
for His people. But notice something that causes my heart to both swell with
gratitude and also be humbled because of this great love. Let's combine the
first two questions. In the first question, God is referred to as being
"the LORD." And truly He is! In the second question, God
is referred to as "thy father." Can we see the design of God in
these two? The power of the Almighty brought them out of bondage. The
power of the Almighty brought them through the wilderness. The love of the
Father provided every need they could ever have. The love of the Father stayed
with them even when they continually murmured and complained about their
conditions. The vision of the Father knew what He had in store for them and led
them all this way. Whether it be Israel of old or you and me today, it
seems to me the design of the Lord for His people is to have a very personal
and daily relationship with Him.
"Hath he not made thee, and established thee?" We often hear
it said of individuals, "He/she is a self made man/woman." I
would like to say that, in my opinion, there is no such thing as a self made
person. We are to take the gifts that are given to us and develop them to
the best of our ability. But I am reminded of the words in James 1:17,
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights..." God gives us the ability to succeed in
life and we are to recognize these gifts as being from Him. Yes, indeed
God, our FATHER, made us and has established us to be able to show His glory
each day we live.
As I look at these questions from God, I stop to look inside and ask myself
concerning my actions, "Is this how I repay God for all He has done for
me?"