Deuteronomy 1: Reflecting on History, Anticipating the Future—an exploration of profound lessons in the biblical text for guidance and inspiration.
The book of Deuteronomy stands as a poignant and instructive farewell address delivered by Moses to the Israelites as they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land. This significant text encapsulates Moses’ final words of wisdom and guidance to a generation poised to transition from wandering in the wilderness to settling in Canaan. Deuteronomy serves as a comprehensive review of their journey, a reiteration of God's laws, and a profound encouragement for obedience as they face the trials and opportunities of their new life.
In Deuteronomy 1, the narrative begins with Moses reflecting on the history of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to their current position. This opening chapter sets the stage for the detailed recounting of their past experiences, highlighting both their successes and failures. Moses uses this historical review not only to remind the people of God's faithfulness but also to underscore the lessons learned from their journey. This context is crucial for understanding the importance of the laws and commands that Moses will revisit throughout the book.
The initial chapter of Deuteronomy establishes the tone for the rest of Moses' address, emphasizing the need for adherence to God's commands as the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan. It is both a reminder of their covenant with God and a call to faithfulness as they confront new challenges. By reviewing their history and setting clear expectations, Moses aims to ensure that the Israelites remain steadfast in their commitment to God, equipped with the knowledge and resolve needed to succeed in their new land.
Introduction and Setting
"These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab. (There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.) And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the Lord had given him in commandment unto them." (Deuteronomy 1:1-3, KJV)
Moses begins his address by recalling their journey through the wilderness, their location on the east side of the Jordan River, and the timing of his speech, which was in the fortieth year of their wanderings.
God's Promise and the People's Multiplication
"After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei: On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying…" (Deuteronomy 1:4-5, KJV)
Moses reminds the Israelites of the victories God had granted them over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og as they journeyed toward Canaan.
The Promise of the Promised Land
"The Lord our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates." (Deuteronomy 1:6-8, KJV)
Moses reminds the people of God's promise to give them the land of Canaan and encourages them to move forward and possess it.
The Appointment of Leaders
"And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. (The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do. So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes." (Deuteronomy 1:9-18, KJV)
Moses recalls appointing leaders from among the people to help govern and judge them, following God's guidance.
The Spies Sent to Canaan
"And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the Lord our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea. And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the Lord our God doth give unto us. Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 1:19-21, KJV)
Moses reminds the Israelites of their arrival at Kadesh-barnea, where they were on the verge of entering the Promised Land. However, they chose to send spies into the land, which eventually led to their disobedience and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
The Rebellion and Fear
"And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come. And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe: And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out. And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the Lord our God doth give us." (Deuteronomy 1:22-25, KJV)
Moses recounts how the people's request to send spies was granted. The spies confirmed that the land was indeed good and abundant.
The Fear of Giants
"Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God: And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the Lord hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us." (Deuteronomy 1:26-28, KJV)
Despite the positive report from the spies, the people chose not to enter the land due to fear of the inhabitants, particularly the giants.
God's Displeasure and Judgment
"Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the Lord thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God, Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day." (Deuteronomy 1:29-33, KJV)
Moses reminds the people that God had shown them His faithfulness through the wilderness journey and would have fought for them in Canaan if they had trusted Him.
Consequences and the Next Generation
"And the Lord heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying, Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers, Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the Lord. Also the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither. But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it." (Deuteronomy 1:34-40, KJV)
God declared that the current generation would not enter the Promised Land due to their disobedience. Only Caleb and Joshua, who had shown faithfulness, would enter. Instead, the younger generation, including those who were too young to understand at the time, would inherit the land.
An Attempt to Enter the Land
"Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the Lord, we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill. And the Lord said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord, and went presumptuously up into the hill. And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah. And ye returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you." (Deuteronomy 1:41-46, KJV)
The people, realizing their mistake, decided to enter the land but were warned by God not to go. Ignoring the warning, they went and suffered defeat at the hands of the Amorites.
Lessons Learned
"So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there." (Deuteronomy 1:46, KJV)
Moses reminds the people that they stayed in Kadesh for a long time after their failed attempt to enter the land.
God's Promise to the Next Generation
"Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. And the Lord spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession." (Deuteronomy 1:46-50, KJV)
God instructs Moses and the people to move northward, and He reminds them that the land of Esau is not to be taken as their possession.
God's Guidance
"Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing." (Deuteronomy 1:51-46, KJV)
God reassures the Israelites that He has blessed them and provided for them during their forty years in the wilderness.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 1 serves as a reminder of the Israelites' journey from the time they left Egypt, their disobedience at Kadesh-barnea, and the consequences of their unbelief. It emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's promises and warns against rebellion and fear.
Moses' speech in this chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book, where he will reiterate God's laws and encourage the Israelites to remain faithful as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It serves as a timeless lesson for all believers, reminding us to trust in God's guidance, obey His commands, and learn from the mistakes of the past as we move forward in our journey of faith.
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