The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.
This verse expands on 'remembering' by listing specific evidences of God's power: 'temptations' (tests/trials), 'signs' (otot, miraculous signs), 'wonders' (mophetim, extraordinary displays), 'mighty hand,' and 'stretched out arm.' The cumulative effect is overwhelming proof of God's power. The phrase 'which thine eyes saw' emphasizes eyewitness testimony—this isn't hearsay but personal experience. The conclusion 'so shall the LORD thy God do' applies past deliverance to future conquest. God's character and power are unchanging—what He did in Egypt, He will do in Canaan. This is the logic of faith: if God has demonstrated His power in the past, He will demonstrate it in the future. Christ's resurrection is the supreme 'sign and wonder' proving God's power and guaranteeing believers' future victory (Romans 8:11).
Historical Context
The ten plagues, Red Sea crossing, pillar of cloud/fire, manna, water from rock, and victory over Amalek constituted irrefutable evidence of God's power. These weren't ambiguous events but public, undeniable displays witnessed by the entire nation. The Exodus became Israel's foundational salvation narrative, referenced throughout Scripture as paradigmatic proof of God's saving power. The prophets invoke Exodus imagery when promising future deliverance (Isaiah 11:15-16; 43:16-19; Jeremiah 23:7-8). God's mighty acts in history provide the evidentiary basis for faith in His future promises.
Questions for Reflection
What 'signs and wonders' has God performed in your life or Christian history that strengthen your faith?
How can you cultivate awareness of God's ongoing powerful work in ordinary and extraordinary ways?
What future challenges require you to apply past evidence of God's power to present faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse expands on 'remembering' by listing specific evidences of God's power: 'temptations' (tests/trials), 'signs' (otot, miraculous signs), 'wonders' (mophetim, extraordinary displays), 'mighty hand,' and 'stretched out arm.' The cumulative effect is overwhelming proof of God's power. The phrase 'which thine eyes saw' emphasizes eyewitness testimony—this isn't hearsay but personal experience. The conclusion 'so shall the LORD thy God do' applies past deliverance to future conquest. God's character and power are unchanging—what He did in Egypt, He will do in Canaan. This is the logic of faith: if God has demonstrated His power in the past, He will demonstrate it in the future. Christ's resurrection is the supreme 'sign and wonder' proving God's power and guaranteeing believers' future victory (Romans 8:11).