For it is your own eyesThis phrase emphasizes the personal witness of the Israelites to God's mighty acts. The emphasis on "your own eyes" underscores the direct experience and accountability of the people. In the context of Deuteronomy, Moses is addressing the second generation of Israelites who had witnessed God's miracles in the wilderness. This personal witness is crucial for the transmission of faith and obedience to future generations, as seen in
Deuteronomy 6:6-9, where parents are instructed to teach their children diligently.
that have seen
The act of seeing here is not just physical sight but also spiritual understanding and recognition of God's power and faithfulness. The Israelites' experiences were meant to solidify their faith and trust in God. This concept of seeing and understanding is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus often speaks of those who have eyes but do not see (Mark 8:18), highlighting the importance of spiritual perception.
every great work
The "great work" refers to the miraculous deeds God performed, such as the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of manna. These acts are not only historical events but also typological foreshadowings of Christ's redemptive work. For instance, the Passover lamb is a type of Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The great works serve as a testament to God's sovereignty and power, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people.
that the LORD has done
This phrase attributes all the miraculous works to the LORD, emphasizing His active role in the history of Israel. The use of the covenant name "LORD" (YHWH) highlights the personal and relational aspect of God's interaction with His people. It is a reminder of His faithfulness to His promises, as seen in the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3). The deeds of the LORD are a demonstration of His character and His commitment to His covenant, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 9:15).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe speaker of Deuteronomy, Moses is addressing the Israelites, reminding them of their experiences and the works of God they have witnessed.
2.
IsraelitesThe audience of Moses' speech, they are the chosen people of God who have been delivered from Egypt and are on the brink of entering the Promised Land.
3.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who performed mighty works and miracles to deliver His people and guide them through the wilderness.
4.
EgyptThe land from which the Israelites were delivered, representing bondage and oppression.
5.
The WildernessThe place of testing and divine provision where the Israelites wandered for 40 years.
Teaching Points
Remember God's FaithfulnessReflect on the mighty works God has done in your life. Just as the Israelites were called to remember, we too should recall and testify to God's faithfulness.
Witness and TestimonyThe Israelites were firsthand witnesses of God's power. As believers, we are called to share our testimonies and the gospel, bearing witness to God's work in our lives.
Obedience and TrustSeeing God's works should lead to greater trust and obedience. Consider how witnessing God's faithfulness in the past can strengthen your faith in current challenges.
Generational TeachingLike the Israelites, we are responsible for passing down the knowledge of God's works to the next generation, ensuring that His deeds are not forgotten.
Spiritual VisionPray for spiritual eyes to see God's hand in your daily life, recognizing His ongoing work and presence.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 11:7?
2.How can we ensure our "eyes have seen" God's works in our lives?
3.What lessons from Deuteronomy 11:7 can strengthen our faith today?
4.How does Deuteronomy 11:7 connect with witnessing God's power in Exodus?
5.In what ways can we testify about God's mighty acts to others?
6.How can remembering God's works help us obey His commands daily?
7.How does Deuteronomy 11:7 affirm the importance of witnessing God's works firsthand?
8.What historical events are referenced in Deuteronomy 11:7?
9.How does Deuteronomy 11:7 challenge believers to trust in God's power?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 11?
11.Does God still heal sickness and disease today?
12.1 Kings 11:9-10 - Why does God punish Solomon for foreign marriages here when other biblical figures also intermarried without similar consequences?
13.How does Samson's marriage to a Philistine (Judges 14:1-3) align with the prohibition on intermarriage in Deuteronomy 7:3-4?
14.In Deuteronomy 11:22-23, what evidence supports or contradicts the claim that God would 'drive out' nations from the land?What Does Deuteronomy 11:7 Mean
For it is your own eyes- Moses starts with “For it is your own eyes,” underscoring personal accountability. The generation standing before him had watched God act in real time; no second-hand stories.
-Deuteronomy 4:9 echoes this charge: “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen”.
- Like the apostles in1 John 1:1, these Israelites were eyewitnesses, making their testimony weighty and their responsibility clear.
that have seen- Sight here is not passive; it is an active, conscious recognition of God’s hand.
-Joshua 24:31 notes that Israel served the LORD “all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel”, showing how firsthand sight shaped long-term faithfulness.
- Jesus highlights the blessing of believing without seeing inJohn 20:29, but those who have seen bear a special obligation to remember and relay.
every great work- “Every” reminds us nothing was minor: the plagues in Egypt, the Red Sea crossing, water from the rock, manna, victory over Amalek—each mighty act was part of a seamless tapestry.
-Deuteronomy 11:2-6 catalogs several of these events, reinforcing the context.
-Psalm 145:4 captures the principle: “One generation will declare Your works to the next and proclaim Your mighty acts”.
that the LORD has done- The deeds are exclusively the LORD’s, not chance, nature, or Israel’s prowess.
-Exodus 14:31 records the same refrain: “When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him”.
-Psalm 78:4 urges God’s people to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done”, anchoring memory in worship and obedience.
summaryDeuteronomy 11:7 calls the Israelites—and by extension us—to remember firsthand encounters with God’s power. Because their own eyes had witnessed every great work the LORD accomplished, they were without excuse for disbelief or disobedience. Personal experience of God’s faithfulness fuels present trust and future obedience, binding each generation to declare His mighty acts and live in wholehearted allegiance to Him.
(7)
But your eyes have seen.--Literally,
For your eyes are the witnesses(literally;
the seers)
of all the great working of Jehovah which He hath wrought.Verses 7-9. - Thus from what they themselves had witnessed does Moses admonish the elder members of the congregation, summoning them to recognize in that the purpose of God to discipline and train them, that so they might keep his commandments and be strengthened in soul and purpose to go in and possess the land, and to live long therein (
Deuteronomy 1:38;
Deuteronomy 4:26;
Deuteronomy 6:3).
Verse 7. - For
but, read
yea: Yea, your eyes have seen, etc.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
For [it is]כִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionyour own eyesעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙(‘ê·nê·ḵem)Noun - cdc | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountain[that] have seenהָֽרֹאֹ֔ת(hā·rō·’ōṯ)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 7200:To seeeveryכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everygreatהַגָּדֹ֑ל(hag·gā·ḏōl)Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolentworkמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה(ma·‘ă·śêh)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4639:An action, a transaction, activity, a product, propertythatאֲשֶׁ֖ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatthe LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhas done.עָשָֽׂה׃(‘ā·śāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, make
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 11:7 But your eyes have seen all (Deut. De Du) 
