Deuteronomy 1:1-46
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament. Deuteronomy, meaning second law, and is a reiteration of God's first laws and commandments given to the children of Israel (our ancestors).
Remember that the twelve tribes of Israel were cultivated out of Jacob's 12 sons. Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, grew up and married Rachel (and Leah -- long story, go back to Exodus 29 to read!) Jacob was a man of great faith, his entirely life was a journey of delving more deeply into trust in God. In Genesis 32, Jacob's wrestling with God culminates with him giving himself completely to God. In the same chapter, God then changes Jacob's name to Israel, meaning: God prevails.
God prevails is the central theme of Deuteronomy: God works through Moses to make the 12 tribes understand that God is the One Who prevails over life. The 12 sons had children, and their children had children... and those families became the foundation of God's promise to Abraham: descendants as numerous as the stars, Genesis 15:5.
Jacob's sons (organized by Mother): (Each name now represents a large tribe of people, rather than an individual).
- Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
- Zilpah: Gad, Asher
- Bilhah: Dan, Naphtali
- Rachel: Joseph, Benjamin
Deuteronomy is also the book in which we will read about the earthly-death of Moses, who will be succeeded by Joshua, Numbers 27:18. Deuteronomy is similar to the books of Leviticus and Numbers.
For an overview of Deuteronomy before we begin, here is a visual source from The Bible Project:
1:1-8 In the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, God gave this message to the children of Israel through Moses: "... go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers-to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- to give to them and their descendants after them."
1:9-18 Moses encourages the tribes to again appoint "wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men" from each of the tribes to lead and judge on behalf of each group. Remember, this is an extremely patriarchal society; the world was still dominated by men (but as we know now, God would bring eventual equality).
The children of Israel are about to cross a finishing, inherit a promise! Therefore it is important for each tribe to be well organized and focused for the task ahead. This is a particularly unruly group (as any group of humans is); God and Moses are working arduously to ensure each tribe is as prepared as possible.
All any of us truly needs is in order to accomplish anything is cooperation and participation with God's will -- however, we know from experience that we (and the children of Israel) are tragically bad at trusting God.
1:19-21 Moses begins to recount part of the journey the children of Israel have endured so far. Through it all, Moses emphasizes, God has been present and generous. God has consistently reminded the children of Israel to never fear or become discouraged... because He is in loving and comprehensive control.
1:22-23 Moses reminds the children of Israel that each tribe chose and sent a member of their own to scope out the promised land before entering it officially. The land was identified to be as good as God promised.
1:24-33 Moses continues to prepare the children of Israel by reminding them of their hesitation and even outright refusal to follow God into the great promised land. Despite God's comforting reassurance and power, the children of Israel chose fear over Him and many turned away.
" 30 The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place."
1:34-38 God then ensured that all who refused to trust Him would not inherit the promised land (and would pass away before the group arrived). This is symbolic in that we must understand that God is our destination, the best Place we could ever arrive at. By opposing Him, there is really no (lasting) place to go.
We can also learn from the children of Israel's journey in this way: We are only going to go as far as we allow God to take us. We are only going to accomplish as much as we are willing to be led to. Many of the children of Israel gave up or did not trust and therefore remained idle or even backtracked!
Follow God requires diligent and courageous faith but through those things, through Him, one always prevails. Because God Prevails. Many were happy to camp for life at the base of the mountain. A life of fear and mediocrity. Moses' faith encouraged him to climb the mountain. To see God, to communicate with Him, to journey with Him. The heights of Moses' faith allowed him to see a grand and miraculous future... not just for himself but for humanity through God. The heights of Moses' faith allowed him to accomplish a grand and miraculous future.
Through Moses:
- God chose a newborn, sentenced to death and transformed his life.
- God chose a baby born into slavery and raised him into royalty.
- God chose an orphan, separated from his family and restored him.
- God chose a prisoner and made him free.
- God chose a shy man and made him brave.
- God chose a man with a stutter and turned him into an orator.
- God chose an elderly man and made him a leader.
No matter your shortcoming, no matter your displacement or disability God can transform, restore, turn, heal, strengthen, equip, train and lead you too. The children of Israel were never able to grasp that concept even though it lived right before their eyes. They chose not to climb the mountain. Climb the mountain.
Caleb and Joshua were chosen by God to continue into the promise land because of their faith, Numbers 14. They went against the majority and chose God Who is the True Majority. God blasts any debris or barrier and makes a way... once we understand that, we never cease progression.
1:39-40 Those who did not believe are turned away from the promised land. Children of the faithless are not punished because of their parents (written here and also in: Jeremiah 31:29.) The unbelievers are not being punished, either. They chose to turn away from God, and now He presents them with what they so wanted.
Nothing has changed in that department: those who wish to turn away are free to do so. Yet we must all remember that we choose our ultimate destination through our actions. God has promised each of us an inheritance and when we are presented with it, we will either be joyful for having trusted it would come... or will be indescribably frustrated with ourselves for rejecting it.
1:41-44 It is important that Moses reminds the children of Israel of their decisions. As fallible humans, we often forget how our own choices pointed us in the direction we find ourselves walking. We are quick to point a finger, place a blame. Moses highlights the specific moments in which the children of Israel rebelled against God. Moses knows that it is unfair to place any blame or distrust on God when He is and has been consistently faithful and generous with us. Moses also know that they and we, unfairly do it anyway: blame God, turn away, distrust him because of our own actions rather than His.
In an act against God's advice, the children of Israel attacked the Amorites and were easily defeated (chased as if by a swarm of bees). They were warned that God would not be with them in that battle. Perhaps they grew impatient or arrogant and believed that their success was due to their own volition. Wrong. God has been behind their every step -- guiding and protecting and ensuring. Without Him, they fall easily to their enemies. Allow God to lead and command -- with his leadership and commandments comes perfect power, love, direction and success.
1:45-46 Our God is a forgiving God, Daniel 9:9, but only if our apology is sincere. Authentic. Only if we are ready to stop resisting Him and opposing Him and become students of Him. Participators in faith.
