Here Moses refers to Exodus 17:1–7. The deliverance from Egypt by God's mighty hand had already been accomplished some time ago. Every morning there was that wonderful bread from heaven (Exodus 16:1–36). It was clear that the Lord truly cared for his people. Only the journey through the desert was long, and there was no water to be found. People and animals were thirsty. Therefore, they came to Moses with bitter reproaches: Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to let us die of thirst, along with our children and our livestock?
(Exodus 17:3). Moses recognizes that the reproach goes even deeper: Is the Lord among us or not?
(Exodus 17:7b).
Such fierce reproaches, Moses realizes, could also come from people's mouths in the good land of Canaan. Therefore, he emphatically warns his listeners not to put the Lord to the test. Do not test the Lord. Do not challenge him to prove his presence. His name, Yahweh, is sufficient, as it mean I WILL BE THERE (Exodus 3:14).
Jesus displayed this attitude of faith in response to the devil's temptation to jump from the pinnacle of the temple. After all, Satan reminds Jesus, it is written: He will command his angels to bear you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone
(Matthew 4:5; quoting Psalm 91:11–12). Jesus then responds resolutely by referring to Deuteronomy 6:16: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
Therefore, it is certainly fitting for us humans to be satisfied with God's promises. Just repeat after David, who confesses about the Lord right in the middle of Psalm 23:1–6: For you are with me
(Psalm 23:4b). What Jesus once said to his disciples fits perfectly here: And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age
(Matthew 28:20b). This also resonates with us today, because this promise remains in effect until the last day of the world. It is beautiful and encouraging to have this assurance.
16 Vous ne tenterez point l'Eternel, votre Dieu, comme vous l'avez tenté à Massa.