In the preceding verses of this chapter Moses outlines the necessity of obedience and strict observance of the commandments of God. He tells of God's mercy and care given them during the forty years the Israelites spent in the wilderness.

Beginning with verse 7 they are told of the good land, together with the products of the land. A land of wheat, barley, fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey.

In the ninth verse they are told they will not lack anything for there will be no scarceness of bread - no doubt this includes all foods needed - neither will there be any scarceness of minerals for there are iron and brass in the hills.

Canaan land is a figure of the church. Canaan was given to Abraham and his posterity for a possession, however, they had to drive the enemies out and possess the land. The church is a gift of Jesus Christ but His children have to go in and possess it to enjoy the blessings of it.

The church is a place (land) that furnishes spiritual blessings for God's obedient children. There is no scarcity of spiritual food or water and in possessing Canaan (the church) we have to drive the enemy out. The enemy is the Satanic influence which opposes the church and all of the commandments of God.

Beginning with the eleventh verse Moses warns God's people with the beginning word "Beware". Summing up the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth verses Moses is virtually saying that God is going to bless you abundantly, but when you are so wonderfully and abundantly blessed do not forget God.

This is the predicament that we are in today in America and in almost, if not all together, in the entire world, including many or most of our churches. The Lord has wonderfully blessed us as a people in every way, including the necessities, conveniences and some of the luxuries of life.

Many of us who are in the evening of life have split firewood, have drawn water with rope and bucket, plowed with mule-drawn plows, have gone to church and to town in buggies and wagons, walked two to four miles to school, studied our lessons and read the Bible by kerosene lamps and bathed in lukewarm water in tin tubs. We had no refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, air conditioners, electric stoves, electric blankets, gas heat but only had the basic necessities of life. Many young people cannot visualize the conditions of life experienced by their fore-parents and to some who hear their fore-parents tell some of their experiences it seems somewhat like fairy tales to them.

God has wonderfully blessed us with so many conveniences, all of the necessities of life and some of the luxuries. We are living with more luxuries than kings had in the centuries past and gone. In fact, we are living in the greatest age of the history of mankind. As prosperity has increased religion has decreased for we are forgetting God. Why is this so?

Here are some of the reasons. Man is more humble when he is poor and needy than any other time. At this time he can count his blessings and he knows where they come form. When he is poor and needy he has more time to pray, more time to study the Bible and more time to go to church, or at least he takes more time. Many people do not have time now to stop and rest on the seventh day. The seventh day now is workday and play day with thousands of people.

The great tragedy is people will not be warned. Many scoff at religious writings, the teachings of the Bible and the great beauty of the church and its worth to God's people. The king of Nineveh repented at Jonah's preaching and the wrath of God was appeased against this great city because of repentance by the King and the inhabitants. A nation that forgets God and turns to idolatry and wickedness will be cast into hell. Can this be made plainer?

Now a brief message to all people that still meet in the churches in this great land and country. Please, please do not give up. I know you get discouraged at times but press on and on and on, looking unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. This is pleasing in the sight of God and we trust will help to appease God's wrath against the great evils that the world is experiencing today. You remember God promised Abraham that He would spare Sodom if he could find ten righteous people in the city. They were not there and God destroyed it. We have many more than ten righteous people in our country and cities today, but what about tomorrow and the years ahead? May God help us all to repent from our errors and sins and be more fervent in our religious lives.Elder George R. Hunt (deceased) Article appeared in the July 1982 issue of the Gospel Appeal