Deuteronomy 8:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord your God will lead you into a prosperous land, a territory rich in iron. This refers to the land of Margas. From its mountains, you shall extract copper, signifying the abundant resources found in the mountains of Palestine, which were filled with iron and copper.

You have traversed a significant journey of forty years guided by the hand of the Almighty; the moment approaches when you will validate this divine leadership by being able to lead yourself. In the promised land, “thou shalt not eat thy bread with poverty” (Deuteronomy 8:9) and “thou shalt eat and be filled” (Deuteronomy 8:10): in what manner will you utilize the blessings of your current abundance? “Thou shalt remember all the way in which the Lord thy God leadeth thee” (Deuteronomy 8:2).