“You
shall not test the Lord, your God.”
Matthew 4:7
Matthew 4 [5.] Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and,
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”[b]
Matthew 4 [7.] Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”[c]
Matthew 4 [8.] Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Matthew 4 [10.] Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me,[d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”[e]
Footnotes:
b. Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11-12.
c. Matthew 4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16.
d. Matthew 4:10 TR and NU read “Go away” instead of “Get behind me.”
e. Matthew 4:10 Deuteronomy 6:13.
Meaning:
The temptation in the wilderness is a crucial event in Jesus' earthly ministry. Before embarking on His public ministry, Jesus undergoes a period of testing in the wilderness, where Satan seeks to exploit His vulnerability and derail His mission. Throughout this encounter, Satan presents various temptations aimed at undermining Jesus' identity as the Son of God and diverting Him from His divine purpose.
In the specific temptation recorded in Matthew 4:5-7, Satan challenges Jesus to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the temple, quoting Scripture to justify His actions. However, Jesus responds by quoting from Deuteronomy 6:16, affirming that testing God through presumptuous actions is inappropriate. This response highlights Jesus' unwavering commitment to obedience to God's word and His refusal to succumb to the temptations of the enemy.
The significance of Jesus' response lies in its broader theological implications:
- Faith and Trust:
Jesus' response underscores the importance of faith and trust in God's promises. By refusing to test God's faithfulness through reckless actions, Jesus demonstrates His unwavering confidence in the Father's provision and protection. He models for us the proper attitude of reliance on God's word without demanding signs or proof of His faithfulness.
- Obedience to Scripture:
Jesus' reliance on Scripture as the ultimate authority in His response to temptation highlights the centrality of God's word in the life of believers. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently upheld the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, using it as a weapon against the schemes of the enemy (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). His example challenges us to prioritize the study and obedience of God's word in our own lives.
- The Nature of Temptation:
Jesus' encounter with Satan in the wilderness provides valuable insights into the nature of temptation and the tactics of the enemy. Satan often seeks to distort Scripture and deceive believers into disobeying God's commands. However, Jesus' response demonstrates the importance of discernment and steadfastness in resisting temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Personal Application:
As we reflect on Matthew 4:7, we are confronted with a profound challenge to examine our own attitudes and responses to temptation. Do we trust in God's faithfulness and provision, even when faced with trials and uncertainties? Do we prioritize obedience to God's word above the temptations of the world? Jesus' example calls us to cultivate a deeper faith and reliance on God's promises in our daily lives.
In conclusion, Matthew 4:7 stands as a timeless reminder of the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God's word. Jesus' response to temptation in the wilderness serves as a model for believers, encouraging us to prioritize faithfulness to God's commands and to resist the schemes of the enemy. As we meditate on this verse, may we be inspired to emulate Jesus' example of unwavering trust and obedience in our own walk with God.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible