Remember Who Butters Your Bread: A Warning from Deuteronomy for Christians Today

Listen to today’s passage – Deuteronomy 6 – 8 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Deuteronomy 6 

Second Milers also read –  2 Corinthians 1 – 4; Proverbs 3; Psalms 11 – 15

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0303 Evening and Morning” devotion by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Let’s Get Back to the Bible“

Childhood Wisdom: “Don’t Forget Who Butters Your Bread

When I was a kid, my grandparents commonly used to say: “Don’t forget who butters your bread.” It meant that I should remember to be appreciative to the person or people that provided the food that I ate, the clothes that I wore, and the home that I lived in. In our passage today, we see God warning Israel many times that once they got into their new land, they should not forget that it was God who had delivered them from slavery and gave them this wonderful, prosperous, and plentiful place that flowed with milk and honey.

God’s Warnings to Israel

“10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deut 6:10–12)

“20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you? 21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand: 22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: 23 And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.” (Deut 6:20–23)

“2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. … 11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” (Deut 8:2, 11–18 KJV)

The Dangerous Cycle of Forgetting

In the passages of Scripture referenced above, God admonished the children of Israel not to forget the Source of all of their wealth and success. He was about to give them a land with houses and vineyards and farms; none of which they would have to build or work for. The Israelites would be walking into a great situation. It would be like you or I inheriting a beautiful home, fully furnished, with two cars in the driveway; and then we were given a profitable business to further add to our wealth. Sounds like a great deal, doesn’t it?

The problem with all of this was that somewhere along the way the people would slowly begin to forget about where all of this blessing came from. At first they would appreciate it, but then they would begin to think that they deserved it and were entitled to it. Finally, they would come to the conclusion that they had earned through their own efforts. At the end of the cycle, they have bitten the hand that fed them, and they have completely forgotten Who it was that buttered their bread.

This Happens in Christian Lives Today

I have observed this attitude in many Christians today. People often come to Christ  when their lives are in a mess. They are sometimes in financial distress, or their marriages are falling apart; or both. They come to Christ and He begins to turn things around for them. At first, they greatly appreciate what God has done for them, but slowly and gradually they forget Who it is that is blessing their lives. They stop attending the church services, they stop tithing, and they stop serving. Somewhere along the line they think that they fixed their problems all by themselves. What happens next is not good. God has to stop blessing them, and they can end up right back where they started.

A Sobering Warning for America

America is doing the same thing. We are the wealthiest and most powerful nation on planet earth. Why? Because God has blessed us. It is not because we are smarter or better than other nations. We are just blessed. But we are quickly forgetting the Source of our blessing. Unless we get it turned around, it cannot end well for America. As a nation, we had better remember who butters our bread.

Final Thought / Application

Are there areas where you’ve started taking credit for what God provided? How can you course-correct?

This week, take a moment to list 5 blessings in your life and consciously thank God for each one.

 


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Speaking Against God’s Servant: The Danger of Jealousy in the Family of Faith (Numbers 12)

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 11 – 13 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 11

Second Milers also read – Acts 16 – 18; Proverbs 19; Psalms 96 – 100

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1 – 4

Read the “0219 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “We Could Use Some More Spirit-Filled Preachers,“ and “When the People Complained“

As we’ve discussed in previous blogposts, the wilderness journey of Israel was marked by a persistent undercurrent of murmuring. In today’s reading, we have seen complaints that began with the people’s dissatisfaction over food (Numbers 11), escalated as family members challenged the leadership of Moses (Numbers 12 – the focus of this devotion), and finally culminated in national unbelief and rebellion at the edge of the Promised Land (Numbers 13). These chapters reveal how grumbling, when left unchecked, erodes faith in God and His miraculous provision and protection.

In Numbers 12, the grumbling hits close to home: it comes from Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ own sister and brother—respected leaders in their own right. Miriam, the prophetess who once led Israel in a triumphant song after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20–21), and Aaron, the high priest, speak out against their brother Moses, but what was worse was they were speaking out against the leader of God’s people:

“1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. … 9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.” (Num 12:1–2, 9–10)

The Complaint and Its Deeper Root (vv. 1–3) The text opens: “Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married” (v. 1). This likely refers to Zipporah (or possibly a second wife), from Cush (modern-day Ethiopia or Sudan), making her probably a darker-skinned outsider to the Israelites. But the surface issue quickly gives way to the real heart problem: “Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us?” (v. 2).

Jealousy over Moses’ God-ordained authority surfaces. They question not just his marriage but his singular role as God’s chosen leader. Moses, described as “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (v. 3), does not defend himself. He remains silent—leaving the defense to God.

God’s Direct Defense and Rebuke (vv. 4–9) God summons the three siblings to the Tabernacle. In a pillar of cloud, He affirms Moses’ unparalleled relationship with Him: “With him I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold” (v. 8). Other prophets receive visions and dreams, but Moses spoke with God face to face.

“Wherefore then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (v. 8). God’s anger burns against both Miriam and Aaron, though the consequence falls differently. The Lord departs, and the rebuke stands: challenging God’s chosen leader is ultimately challenging God Himself.

The Consequence and Mercy (vv. 10–16) As the cloud lifts, Miriam stands leprous, “white as snow“—a visible, isolating affliction that turns her skin deathly pale. Aaron, turning to look, sees it first and immediately pleads with Moses: “Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned” (v. 11). He begs that she not be like a stillborn child, flesh half-consumed (v. 12).

Moses, ever the intercessor, cries out simply: “Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee” (v. 13). God responds with measured mercy: If a father had spit in her face in public shame, she would bear it seven days. So let her be shut out of the camp seven days, then restored (v. 14). The people wait for her—no journey until Miriam returns (v. 15). Restoration follows shame.

Why Miriam and Not Aaron? The Bible doesn’t state an explicit reason, but the text and context offer insight:

  • Miriam appears as the primary instigator. The Hebrew verb (dāḇar) in verse 1 is 3rd person feminine singular (“she spoke”), suggesting she led in the complaint, with Aaron joining or following. Her prophetic role and bold personality (seen in Exodus 15) may have made her words more influential and accountable.
  • Aaron shows immediate repentance and intercession (vv. 11–12), aligning with his priestly calling to mediate.
  • Striking the high priest with leprosy would have defiled him, halting sacrifices and disrupting Israel’s worship system at a critical time. God preserves the priesthood’s function.
  • The punishment serves as a public warning: leprosy isolates and visibly marks sin, teaching Israel not to challenge God’s choices in leadership or marriage. Ironically, Miriam’s skin turns “white” after objecting to a dark-skinned wife—highlighting the folly of prejudice.

Both face God’s anger (v. 9), but the consequences are different—showing God’s chastisement is tailored, not arbitrary, always with mercy in view.

Devotional Takeaways for Today

  • Jealousy poisons even close relationships. Family or ministry envy can disguise itself as concern (“Hasn’t God spoken through us too?”). It questions God’s wisdom in how He distributes gifts, roles, or blessings. Guard your heart against comparison (Galatians 6:4–5; 2 Cor 10:12).

“4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Gal 6:4–5)

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Cor 10:12)

  • God defends His own. Moses didn’t need to retaliate; God stepped in decisively. When we face unfair criticism—especially for following God’s call—trust Him to vindicate (Romans 12:19).

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Rom 12:19)

  • Humility and intercession triumph. Moses’ meekness and quick prayer model Christlike response. Aaron’s repentance shows that turning back opens the door to mercy.
  • God’s discipline aims at restoration. Seven days of shame for Miriam led to healing and return. Discipline isn’t final rejection but loving correction (Hebrews 12:5–11).

“5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Heb 12:5–11)

Is there an area where envy or comparison is tempting you to murmur against God’s appointed order in your life, church, or family? How can you replace it with gratitude and prayer today?


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