SCRIPTURE: DEUTERONOMY 1
INTRODUCTION:
Deuteronomy means “Second Law”. Moses was the author of this book except for the chapter about his death. MOses reminded people of their history and God’s goodness. He also summarized God’s laws including the Ten Commandments and told them to teach their children to love the Lord and obey His commandments.
The theme consists of the History, Law, Love, Choices and Teachings to the next generation. History makes us understand the past and avoid mistakes in our lives learning from Israel
s past failures. Laws lead us know the commandment of God and His truth to God’s call for obedience. God’s love forms the foundation for our trust in Him. Choices makes a lot of difference. Choosing to follow God benefits us and improves our relationship with others. Choosing to abandon God’s ways brings harm to ourselves and others. Teaching is fundamental in passing on God’s truths to future generation. His truths should be in our hearts and minds.
BIBLE VERSES:
“Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” (Deuteronomy 1:29-31)
THE COMMAND TO LEAVE HOREB (vs. 1-9)
Moses told the Israelites to leave Horeb and take possession of the Canaan that the Lord had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
THE APPOINTMENT OF LEADERS (vs. 9-18)
Since the Israelites had increased in numbers, MOses could no longer carry such a heavy burden. So, Moses told them to choose some wise understanding and respected men from each tribe and set them as leaders of each tribe. He will hear the dispute among them. Moses told them not to show partiality in judgment. Only the hard cases will be brought to Moses.
SPIES SENT OUT (vs. 19-25)
Moses selected 12 men from each tribe to the hill country and explore it. Then, they will bring back report about the route that they were going to take.
REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD (vs. 26-46)
The people grumbled and rebelled against the Lord. They refused to go up. So the Lord was angry and swore not to let a man of this evil generation see the good land of Canaan except Caleb and his descendants because Caleb had followed the Lord wholeheartedly. So, Moses told the people to turn around and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea. But the people refused to listen and instead, they marched up to fight the Amorites. They were defeated like a swarm of bees. They came back and wept before the Lord but the Lord turned a deaf ear to them.
THOUGHTS:
The greatest sin that the Israelites committed was unbelief. They questioned His Word so that their journey turned into 40 years of wandering and death. Their unbelief wasted time, energy and manpower and robbed God of the glory due His name. In the same way, unbelief robes us of God’s best blessings. So when you have problems and dangers, look up to God who is leading you and walk by faith.
Moses identified some of the inner qualities of a good leader which are: widom, experience and understanding. Do not elect leaders based on good looks, wealth or popularity but follow Moses’ choice in electing position of leadership in church.
In recalling the scouting mission into the promised land, the scouts returned with reports of giants and walled cities. The people were frightened and complained about their predicament. But the minority report of Joshua and Caleb pointed out that the land was fertile, the enemy was vulnerable and God was on their side. This teaches us that we often become fearful and impossible when we focus on the negative aspects of a situation. It is better to focus on the positive based on God’s direction and promise. To overcome the negative, trust God in faith who can give us victory over our problems.