Readers Guide: “The Word for Today” Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Read – Deuteronomy 8 & 9 There is much to hear in these chapters. Of special note is the way in which Jesus used chapter 8 in his response to Satan during the temptation in the wilderness – you shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. You shall not put the Lord to the test. You shall worship only God. This is the message of Deuteronomy. And it is backed up with the proclamation and the promise that it is God who provides. It is God who gives and will give the land. That is not the achievement of human beings. They did not gain it or earn it. Everything is gift. We sometimes think that the Old Testament is all law – the proclamation of the book of Deuteronomy is mostly gospel. It is good for us to remember that as well. Chapter 9 retells the story of the rebellion at the foot of Mount Horeb (Sinai) when the people made the calves for worship. Once again this story reflects on the story of the calves used in worship in the Northern Kingdom at Bethel and Dan.