As we return to the book of Deuteronomy in this chapter we come to the end of Moses’ opening speech which is calling for the people to be faithful. The older generation who sinned against the Lord have died in the wilderness, but those who are now adults, will have been children who witnessed God did His great miracles in delivering His people from Egypt (v1-7). It is seeing the greatness of God in action that encourages faithfulness. It is as we spend time thinking of God’s great past actions revealed in scripture, that we are encouraged in faithfulness.

Moses speaks of how the Promised Land will be different from Egypt in that Egypt was irrigated from the Nile whereas the Promised Land will be watered by the rain sent by God from heaven (v8-17). This means they are totally dependent on the Lord and this should encourage faithfulness.

The importance of faithfulness to the Lord and His commands they are to teach their children also (v18-25).  Moses lays before the people the choice of a path of blessing or a path of cursing (v26-32). The path to blessing requires faithfulness to the Lord. The same is true for us today.