True life is found in being rightly related to God, who is the giver and sustainer of life. And to be rightly related to God is to walk with Him in obedience that flows from faith. God, through Moses, called the people to walk in faithful obedience to all that God had commanded. If they would walk by faith, in complete obedience, they would live.

If the people failed to live faithful lives of obedience, they could not rightly blame it on God. Throughout Deuteronomy 8 and the rest of the book, God testifies of His own faithfulness to His people. He had been faithful to lead them and provide for them in every way - from water in the desert, to food, to clothes and shoes that would not wear out. The question was, how would they respond to the goodness of God? Would they respond in faith-driven obedience like Abram had (Genesis 15:6)? Or instead, would they rebel against God and worship other things?