John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 8:16

"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:" — Deuteronomy 8:16 (ASV)

Who fed you in the wilderness. He had said that water was brought forth from the rock of flint when the people were suffering from thirst; now, he adds that they had manna instead of bread, as if he had said that when food and drink failed them, they must have perished from lack unless God had supernaturally given them both, causing the hard rock to flow with water and sending bread from heaven.

Moreover, he repeats what he had said before: that the people were afflicted with this need as a trial of their faith and patience. Yet in this trial, both their unbelief and lack of self-control were discovered, while God’s goodness and power were ultimately more clearly displayed, since He pardoned their ingratitude and, despite it, met their need.

For if they had not suffered from hunger, God’s bounty in supplying them with their daily food would have been received with indifference.

This is the meaning of the conclusion, to do you good at your latter end. From these words, let us also learn that we are often deprived of our necessary supplies so that our senses may awaken to acknowledge God’s help, which appears in our extreme need.

For while abundance covers our eyes with a veil or dims their sight, on the other hand, deprivation and lack cleanse away this dimness so that we may more clearly perceive the benefits God provides to us.