Go Beyond

• Wanderings and Victories in Trans-Jordan | Deuteronomy 2:1–3:17

2:1-7 | Deuteronomy 2:1 is one of the saddest statements in the Bible: “Then we turned and set out for the wilderness.” The Promised Land was no longer before the people. Someone noted that the saddest words ever written are these: “What might have been.”

What might have been. | Edgar Guest wrote a poem entitled “Tomorrow.” Although his poem is about procrastination, it speaks to the subject of what might have been. Deuteronomy 2 is about the generation of unbelieving Israelites that missed out on what might have been.

   He was going to be all that a mortal should be — tomorrow.
No one should be kinder or braver than he — tomorrow.
A friend who was troubled and weary he knew,
Who’d be glad of a lift and needed it, too;
On him he would call and see what he could do — tomorrow.

   Each morning he stacked up the letters he’d write — tomorrow.
And thought of the folks he would fill with delight — tomorrow.
It was too bad, indeed, he was busy today,
And hadn’t a minute to stop on his way;
More time he would have to give others, he’d say — tomorrow.

   The greatest of workers this man would have been — tomorrow.
The world would have known him, had he ever seen — tomorrow.
But the fact is he died and faded from view,
And all that he left here when living was through
Was a mountain of things he intended to do — tomorrow.

The Israelites traveled from Kadesh-barnea to the area of Mount Seir, a mountain range in Edom (2:1). After an unspecified period of time God instructed the people to leave and travel north (2:2-3) through Edom (2:4). Verse 4 states, “and they will be afraid of you. So be very careful.” The Edomites (who were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother) were a settled people who were concerned about protecting their fields and water supplies from nomadic peoples. That is one reason why God had instructed the Israelites to be peaceful in their interactions with the Edomites (2:5) and to purchase their supplies from them rather than plunder the people (2:6). Another reason for the prohibition against molesting the Edomites is because God had given them their land as a possession (2:5). Moses used this historical account as an illustration of God’s providential care for His people (2:7). Numbers 20:14-21 record a parallel account in which Israel asked and was denied permission to pass through Edom.

Where God leads God provides. | Moses recounted Israel’s journey towards Edom, Moab, and Ammon. He asked but was denied permission to pass through these lands. In spite of the unwillingness of these peoples to allow Israel to pass through their lands, God providentially cared for and provided for the needs of His people. Moses reminded the people, “These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing” (2:7b).

2:8-13a | Moses continued his travelogue by recounting the next stage of their journey. The people journeyed north (2:8) towards Moab (descendants of Lot, as recorded in Genesis 19:37). The Israelites were again prohibited from harassing the Moabites who had received their land as a possession (2:9). Upon reaching the brook Zered, which served as the border between Edom and Moab, Moses asked permission to peacefully pass through Moab. His request was denied so he led the people on a longer circuitous route to the east along the edge of the desert.

2:13b-23 | These verses record the end of one of the saddest chapters in Israel’s history, the death of the entire generation of unbelievers who had refused to possess the Promised Land thirty-eight years earlier (2:13b-15 and Jude 5). Once this generation died, the people were instructed to advance north towards Ammom. The Ammonites were also descendants of Lot (see Genesis 19:38). The Israelites were prohibited from harassing the Ammonites (2:19).

2:24-37 | Moses apparently asked but was denied permission to pass through Ammon. So, he led the people westward towards the lands which Sihon (King of Heshbon – a Canaanite king) and Og (King of Bashan) had seized from Moab and Ammon. Moses asked Sihon for permission to peacefully pass through his land (just as he had asked the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites) but was denied permission (2:26-31). Rather than finding another route, Moses and the people engaged Sihon in battle (2:24), defeated him (2:32-35), and took possession of the lands specified by God (2:36-37). Moses was given permission to engage Sihon in battle because he did not occupy land given to him by the Lord (unlike the previous peoples). This is the beginning of the actual conquest. Read Numbers 21:21-31 for a parallel account of this event.

3:1-11 | These verses recount the victory of Moses and the Israelites over Og, King of Bashan. The parallel account of this battle is found in Numbers 21:33-35.

3:12-17 | With the victories over Sihon and Og, the Israelites controlled the land bordered by Ammon on the east, Jordan on the west, Moab on the south, and as far as Mount Hermon on the north. This territory east of the Jordan was allotted to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:33).

• Spies and Rebellion | Deuteronomy 1:19-46

1:19-21 | These verses recount the difficult journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea (1:19). The people had traversed rough terrain in obedience to God’s command (see 1:6). Upon arriving at Kadesh-barnea Moses reminded the people of God’s promise to give them the land before them (1:20-21). They were at the threshold of the Promised Land — they could see it from there. However, as Vince Abner said, “It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs.”

1:22-25 | Read Numbers 13-14 for background information. Moses summarized the account of the twelve spies (1:22-23) and their report (1:24-25). The people had requested that spies be sent into the land to map out a strategy for its conquest (1:22). This idea pleased Moses (1:23) who was given divine approval for the venture (Numbers 13:1-3).

1:26-33 | These verses recount the refusal of the people to enter and possess the land because of the negative report of the spies (1:26-28 and Numbers 13:28-29, 32-33). Moses reminded the people of how he had tried to encourage their fathers to trust in the Lord, who had proved Himself faithful every step of their journey (1:29-33). In spite of God’s faithfulness, their fathers had refused to trust God (1:32). The ten faithless and faltering spies saw the obstacles rather than the objective and the problems rather than the possibilities. It is interesting that there is no mention of God in the parallel account of the spies report in Numbers 13:25-33. The ten spies had lost sight of God. However, Caleb and Joshua saw the same things their fellow spies had seen and yet arived at a different conclusion. Perhaps it is because we tend to see things not as they are but as we are.

1:34-46 | These verses recount the Lord’s response to the people’s unfaithfulness. God declared that “not one of these men, this evil generation” would enter into the Promised Land (1:34-35), not even Moses (1:37). Only Caleb (1:36), Joshua (1:38), and the children (1:39 and Numbers 14:31) would be allowed to enter the Promised Land. The others were sentenced to wander and die in the wilderness (1:40 and Numbers 14:32-35). This was an irrevocable decision. Verses 41-46 relate the account of the belated confession of the people and their effort to make up for their unfaithfulness. It was too late. They had missed their window of opportunity.

God is bigger than giants! | The Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land because ten spies lost sight of the fact that God is bigger than giants. An entire generation of Israelites died in the wilderness because they unquestioningly accepted the demoralizing report of ten men who allowed the stature of their enemies to blind them to the strength of God. Let’s be careful lest we be guilty of the same thing. May we never forget that God is bigger than any giants we will ever face.

• Leaders Chosen to Assist Moses | Deuteronomy 1:6-18

Moses’ first message to the people begins in Deuteronomy 1:6 and ends in Deuteronomy 4:43. Moses was concerned that the people learn from their history lest they repeat it. Encamped on the plains of Moab, Moses reviewed the leadership of God from Horeb to the plains of Moab. Notice the three stages of that journey. First, the journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea (1:6-46). Second, the journey from Kadesh-barnea to Heshbon (2:1-37). Third, the journey from Heshbon to their encampment “in the valley opposite Beth-peor” (3:1-29). This historical review formed the background for Moses’ exhortation to the people. In light of the evidence of God’s goodness to His people, Moses exhorted them to respond to God with gratitude, obedience, and devotion (4:1-43).

Looking back can give us the confidence to move forward. | Moses’ first message to the people was filled with historical references to the acts of God on behalf of the Israelites. Moses reviewed the history of the Israelites in the hope that they would not repeat the errors of the past or forget the faithful way in which God had dealt with them. A review of the past faithfulness of God should result in gratitude, devotion, and obedience to Him in the present. Those who remember the faithfulness of God can face the future with confidence.

1:6-8 | Moses reviewed God’s command to leave Horeb (where the people had received the law) and possess the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (1:6-8). Verse 6 accentuates God’s initiative: “You have stayed long enough at this mountain” (see also 2:3). Verse 7 describes the vast scope of the land promised by God. Verse 8 recalls the promise of God to the patriarchs.

Comfort is the enemy of progress. | God spoke to the Israelites at Horeb saying, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and set your journey, and go…” (1:6). God did not deliver the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage in order for them to comfortably settle at Horeb. His plan was for His people to boldly advance towards the Promised Land to conquer and occupy it. In the same way, those who aspire to spiritual maturity must adopt Paul’s attitude, “Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12). Comfort and complacency are the enemies of progress and growth in the Christian life.

1:9-18 | Read Exodus 18:13-27 for background information on these verses. Moses reminded the people of how the burden of leadership (1:9) over the growing population (1:10-11) was shared by appointing “wise and discerning and experienced men” from among the people (1:12-14) to serve as officers and judges (1:15). These leaders were charged with the responsibility of dispensing fair justice to all men, Israelite and non-Israelite alike (1:16-18). A system of community government to oversee the administration and preservation of law and order was imperative during the wilderness wanderings. The need for responsible government and a fair judicial system would be no less urgent in the Promised Land.

• Introduction to the Book | Deuteronomy 1:1-5

1:1-4 | Moses spoke “to all Israel” (1:1) at the intersection of a past filled with failure and a future as bright as the promises of God. Deuteronomy 1:2 is a solemn reminder of the high price of disobedience and unfaithfulness (see Numbers 13). Kadesh-barnea, the entry point to the Promised Land, was only an eleven-day journey from Mount Horeb (Sinai). The spies were sent into the land of Canaan from Kadesh-barnea and returned with their negative report about the difficulties of conquest. It was at Kadesh-barnea that the people were sentenced to wandering in the wilderness one year for every day the spies spent in Canaan (see Numbers 14:34). Notice also that the words that “Moses spoke to the children of Israel” were God’s words (1:3). Moses’ message had a divine origin.

God is with us in the in-between times of life. | We all experience in-between times in life. In-between times are those times when we find ourselves between the actualities of the past and the uncertainties of the future. Times when we wonder how what happened yesterday will impact what will happen tomorrow. Times when we realize we cannot go back and have a new beginning but must determine today what we will do to have a new ending. Times when we are ready to shed the shabby clothes of past failures, sins, and heartaches and embrace a fresh start. God is with us in the in-between times of life.

1:5 | “Moses undertook to expound this law” to the people while encamped on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. The word “expound” means to “make clear.” Moses’ message was more than a restatement of the law, it was also an interpretation of the law designed to lead the people to understand and apply it in their personal lives. The word “law” (from the Hebrew word torah) includes instruction, warning, exhortation, and comfort. This was Moses’ final opportunity to impress upon the people the importance of obeying God as they prepared to make the transition from a wandering to a settled community.

Over the next several months, in addition to my regular posts, I will write a devotional study of the book of Deuteronomy. Most of us are busy and don’t always set aside time to study and meditate on Scripture as we should. So, I hope you’ll take a minute or two to visit my blog to glean some practical help for daily living from the book of Deuteronomy. Be sure to pay special attention to the practical considerations featured in each post in italicized text. I will archive these posts under the Studies in Deuteronomy category in the sidebar.

About Deuteronomy | Deuteronomy is the fifth book in the Bible. The name of the book is taken from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The Greek title Deuteronomion means “second law” or “law repeated.” The title refers to the fact that the book contains a restatement of the law of God as recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. The title of the Book in the Hebrew Bible is Debarim, which means “words.” This title is derived from the first verse of the book, “These are the words which Moses spoke…”

Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell address to the people he had led for forty years. Knowing that he would not accompany the people into the Promised Land and concerned that they not repeat the failures of the past, Moses spoke to them about the importance of loving and obeying God. Deuteronomy is a record of his final sermons to his people.

Lost Book of the Law | Hundreds of years after the book of Deuteronomy was written, King Josiah of Judah ordered the restoration of the house of the Lord “which the kings of Judah had let go to ruin” (2 Chronicles 34:11). During this restoration project a priest named Hilkiah “found the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses” (2 Chronicles 34:14) — the book of Deuteronomy. Hilkiah gave the book to a scribe named Shaphan who personally read it and then read it to King Josiah.

Upon hearing the words of the book, Josiah became fearful because the life of the people did not match the message of the lost book. He therefore led the people of Judah to make a covenant to faithfully follow the Lord (2 Kings 23:3 and 2 Chronicles 34:31-33). For generations the people had neglected the practical instruction of the book of Deuteronomy and had failed to study and teach it to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). As a result they had embraced the idolatrous practices of their heathen neighbors and sinned against God.

Don’t despise God’s Word. | Proverbs 13:13 states, “The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, but the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” The book of Deuteronomy, and our personal lives, is a commentary on this verse of Scripture. Jesus said, “And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand” (Matthew 7:26). Despising God’s Word leads to trouble (Joshua 6:16-26), destruction (Matthew 7:26-27), and affliction (Psalm 119:67). Proverbs 13:14 says, “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death.” Following God’s instruction will help us to avoid dangerous paths. Pressing ahead without the benefit of God’s instruction is foolish and dangerous.