Deuteronomy 9:6 - Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people.
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What does "Deuteronomy 9:6" mean?
This verse, Deuteronomy 9:6, is a blunt and important statement about God's motivation for giving the Israelites the Promised Land. Let's break it down:
"Know therefore, that Yahweh your God..." This is an emphatic command to understand and acknowledge a key truth.
"...doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness..." This is the core of the verse. God is explicitly stating that the Israelites are not receiving the land because they deserve it, or because they are morally superior to the current inhabitants. The land is not a reward for good behavior.
"...for you are a stiff-necked people." This is the reason why they are not receiving the land due to their righteousness. The phrase "stiff-necked" is a common biblical idiom meaning stubborn, rebellious, and unwilling to listen to authority (in this case, God). They are known for their disobedience and tendency to resist God's commands.
In essence, the verse means:
God is giving the Israelites the Promised Land, not because they are righteous or deserving, but solely due to His own promises (made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and His own purposes. He wants to emphasize that it is by His grace and faithfulness, not by their merit. They are receiving a gift despite their flaws, not because of their virtues.
Important implications and context:
Humility: The verse is meant to instill humility in the Israelites. They are not to become arrogant or think they are entitled to the land.
God's Grace: It highlights God's grace and covenant faithfulness. He keeps His promises, even when the people He's making them to are far from perfect.
Warning: It serves as a warning. Their possession of the land depends on their continued obedience and faithfulness to God, not on their inherent goodness.
Context of Deuteronomy: Deuteronomy is a book that re-emphasizes the covenant between God and Israel, shortly before they enter the Promised Land. It serves as a reminder of their obligations and the consequences of disobedience.
Relationship to other verses: In Deuternomy 9, Moses reminds the Israelites of their previous sins, such as the golden calf incident, to further illustrate their "stiff-necked" nature. God had every right to abandon them, but he remained faithful.
In short, Deuteronomy 9:6 is a powerful declaration that God's actions are motivated by His own character and purposes, not by the worthiness of the recipients of His blessings. It is a call to humility, a testament to God's grace, and a warning about the importance of obedience.
Deuteronomy 9:6 - Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people.
What does "Deuteronomy 9:6" mean?
This verse, Deuteronomy 9:6, is a blunt and important statement about God's motivation for giving the Israelites the Promised Land. Let's break it down:
"Know therefore, that Yahweh your God..." This is an emphatic command to understand and acknowledge a key truth.
"...doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness..." This is the core of the verse. God is explicitly stating that the Israelites are not receiving the land because they deserve it, or because they are morally superior to the current inhabitants. The land is not a reward for good behavior.
"...for you are a stiff-necked people." This is the reason why they are not receiving the land due to their righteousness. The phrase "stiff-necked" is a common biblical idiom meaning stubborn, rebellious, and unwilling to listen to authority (in this case, God). They are known for their disobedience and tendency to resist God's commands.
In essence, the verse means:
God is giving the Israelites the Promised Land, not because they are righteous or deserving, but solely due to His own promises (made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and His own purposes. He wants to emphasize that it is by His grace and faithfulness, not by their merit. They are receiving a gift despite their flaws, not because of their virtues.
Important implications and context:
Humility: The verse is meant to instill humility in the Israelites. They are not to become arrogant or think they are entitled to the land.
God's Grace: It highlights God's grace and covenant faithfulness. He keeps His promises, even when the people He's making them to are far from perfect.
Warning: It serves as a warning. Their possession of the land depends on their continued obedience and faithfulness to God, not on their inherent goodness.
Context of Deuteronomy: Deuteronomy is a book that re-emphasizes the covenant between God and Israel, shortly before they enter the Promised Land. It serves as a reminder of their obligations and the consequences of disobedience.
Relationship to other verses: In Deuternomy 9, Moses reminds the Israelites of their previous sins, such as the golden calf incident, to further illustrate their "stiff-necked" nature. God had every right to abandon them, but he remained faithful.
In short, Deuteronomy 9:6 is a powerful declaration that God's actions are motivated by His own character and purposes, not by the worthiness of the recipients of His blessings. It is a call to humility, a testament to God's grace, and a warning about the importance of obedience.