Today's Reading:

Deuteronomy 1
Deuteronomy 2
Deuteronomy 3

Even when disciplined for 38 years in the wilderness, God’s grace never left. He fed the Israelites, clothed them with shoes that never wore out (I need to buy a new pair every year!) God guided the Israelites with His presence- proof that He had not rejected or forgotten them. The journey had consequences but continued through His mercy. Moses led the people faithfully to the very edge of the Promised Land. Moses knew he would not get to enter the Promised Land but was granted the chance to view it from afar.

It was with bittersweet grace that Moses, the faithful leader who would not make it to the end, brought the people through the long years, so that the next generation could live on by God’s word and commands. The people knew that Moses had led them through the wilderness, even though he would not enter the Promised Land himself. God’s work is bigger than one person, one failure, and one generation. His faithfulness ensured the story would not end.

 

 

Deuteronomy is known as Moses’ farewell speech. It is the last book of the Torah (Jewish law books). This speech was meant for the next generation- the ones who get to see the Promised Land. Moses was 120 years old; he gave the Israelites a recap of all the drama from the last 40 years (book of Numbers). It was a reminder of why they went through the trials and not to follow their parents’ generation of sinful ways.

Chapter 1 started the summarization:

• Defeat of Sihon, king (Amorites), and Og (Bashan) were mentioned, but the battles took place later. Sihon, the Amorites (his people/nation), were used as a symbol of the terrifying enemies that caused the unbelief in the Israelites- (look what happened to your parents who were afraid and refused to trust God).
• Reiterate the appointment of 70 leaders to help judge and keep Moses afloat- there were over 1 million people in the desert- it was hot, and they were cranky; there would have been many disputes.
• The 12 spies were sent out; only Caleb and Joshua gave an encouraging report.
• Moses blamed the Israelites for God turning against him, chastising him, while it was his own disobedience as the actual cause. The people rebelled in fear of the Amorites/Anakites (taller, stronger with fortified cities). Moses pleaded with the Israelites to not be afraid that the Lord had gone before them by fire and clouds in past guidance.
• Punishment from God that the first generation would all die in the desert without seeing the Promised Land. (Except Caleb, who followed the Lord with his heart, and Joshua, who was to lead them)
• The Israelites confessed their sin and decided to go against God’s command and go towards the Amorites, who chased them back from Seir to Hormah. Presumptuous on their part and it did not end well.

Chapter 2 continued with the reminder of the wandering and the passage around Edom.

• God told the Israelites not to provoke or fight the Edomites, as He gave the land to Esau. They were to buy food and water during this part of the journey and to be peaceful with their distant relatives.
• The Moabites' land was given to Lot’s descendants (Remember Lot was Abraham’s nephew and his wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt). The Emites, who were strong like the Anakites, had lived in the land prior to the Moabites running them out.
• Sihon is named here as the first major military victory of the new generation. God told Moses that He would give into their hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon and his land by hardening Sihon’s heart. They were to begin to take possession. This moved the Israelites from past failure and fear (the whole reason for the 40-year journey), to victory and faithfulness, where God gave the land and they defeated their enemies just as He promised.

Chapter 3 was remembering of the victory over Og and the Land allocations east of the Jordan River.

• The Israelites defeated Og, King of Bashan. God again declared not to fear as He would deliver them into the Israelite’s hand. There was total destruction of 60 fortified cities. Og was the last of the Rephaites (giants), and his iron bed was about 13.5 feet long by 6 feet wide. It was put on display to show that Og was not just tall but needed oversized furniture to suit his size. This also emphasized God’s power and victory over the enemy- no matter what lies ahead, God will help you triumph. This one sentence injects some humor into the text- go ahead, try to downplay Og’s giant status, here is his bed, argue with that, I dare you.
• The allocations of the Transjordan land. Reubenites and Gadites received their portions of the land- Reuben in the bottom section east of the Dead Sea, Gad in the middle and then the east half-tribe of Manasseh received the northern section where Og’s kingdom was.
• The conditions for the three tribes to stay in the land east of the Jordan River were that they had to cross over the river and help the Israelites secure the Promised Land. The women, children and livestock could stay behind in the land.
• Moses sets Joshua up and encouraged him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses pleaded with God to cross over and see the good land. God was angry and told Moses “Enough!” but let him go up to the top of Pisgah to see the land from afar.

These chapters recount Moses’s review of Israel’s wilderness journey, highlighting both the consequences of unbelief and God’s faithfulness in leading, providing for, and protecting His people. By recalling past failures and recent victories, Moses prepares the next generation to trust God and obey His covenant as they stand on the edge of the Promised Land.

Today's Discussion question: 

Why do you think Moses intentionally reminded the next generation of both Israel’s failures and victories before entering the Promised Land, and how does that shape the way we prepare for what God is calling us into next?

 
Click here to link to our Facebook group for discussion, questions, and additional content.