Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, – Deuteronomy 7:9
The authorship of the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, is attributed to Moses. Scholars say they were written from 1446 BC to 1407 BC, the dates which coincide with the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt to the death of Moses. Deuteronomy, the fifth book, is a repetition of the law. Again and again, Moses reiterates the steadfastness of the love of God, particularly toward His people and those who are faithful to keep His commandments.
Today’s verse declares that God is faithful to a thousand generations. This message is repeated in 1 Chronicles 16:15 and Psalm 105:8. The idea that all of these writers convey is that there is no foreseeable end to the steadfast love of God. Students of the Bible and its history agree that a Biblical generation is somewhere between 38 and 40 years, although some suggest it is nearer to 70 years. Even if one uses the smallest number, 38, a thousand generations would extend 38,000 years. Since the writing of Deuteronomy, the Earth has experienced only a tenth of that much time. The realization is that the faithfulness and steadfastness of the love of God does not end. He was faithful then, and He is faithful now!
The Knowing Jesus commentary says the verse for today exhorts you to KNOW this God, to KNOW He is the true and living God, to KNOW His faithfulness and love, and to KNOW He keeps His promises forever. In Hebrew, the root word for “know” is yada. It involves more than superficial awareness. It includes perceiving, understanding, and experiencing. There is no limit to the knowledge people can have of the Living God. Yet really knowing Him fully is not yet possible. The Apostle Paul said, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Knowing is an action as it relates to God’s kingdom. As you know more about the Lord, you are to act upon that knowledge. James says, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). The King James Version of 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs you to study. Read, study, hear, and do, holding yourself accountable (Romans 14:12). Then encourage your fellow Christ-followers both to pursue and then to serve according to knowledge, building each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), all for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Today’s Verse: Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 5:13-20
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
