Avoiding Complacency

Deuteronomy 8:1-20

“All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.” (Deuteronomy 8:1) 

Most people want to pick and choose which rules they want to follow.  In Jesus’ day, the Scribes and Pharisees focused on minor details while ignoring major provisions according to Matthew 23:23.  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”  We tend to pick the rules that require little sacrifice or effort and ignore those that are harder to do.  Israel’s contract with God required fulfilling all the commands, not just the ones they liked.

James 2:10-11 is quite specific.  “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”  A minor infraction is just as much a violation as a major one, even though it‘s immediate effect may be different.  Failure to keep it all trivializes the value of any of the law.

The final responsibility in the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”   Unless they know what God expects, they cannot be the people God wants them to be.  I Peter 1:14-16  describes what is expected.  “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Romans 2:5-11 contrasts the different results from obedience and disobedience.  “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.”  God is not going to change the rules to satisfy our desires or situation.

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.  Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.” (Deuteronomy 8:2-6) 

If Israel would remember how God had worked through the forty years in the wilderness, supplying their needs and bringing judgment when they disobeyed they would know how to please him and conduct themselves.  They would also understand his ability to supply whatever they needed.

“For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.

When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.” (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)

The land God was going to give them would provide everything they needed to live, from the water to drink and the necessary fruits and vegetables and grazing for livestock and even the metal to make tools, both brass and iron.  There would be no reason for them to go without.  It was critical they take the time to be thankful for what they had.  Most of the time discontented people do not have less than others, they just don’t appreciate what they have.

“Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:11-17)

When ones only source of food is his garden, it is easy for him to remember to water it, but as he becomes able to obtain food other places it becomes easier to neglect waterin the garden because he is less aware of the need.  In the same way, as Israel became more prosperous, it would be easy to neglect the very things that made them prosperous.  Many times a business fails because they adopt a new philosophy that neglects the attitude that drew customers to them in the first place.  Israel might well decide their success was the result of their skill in management rather than of God’s blessing their obedience.

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18) 

Just as a successful business often finds it necessary to constantly remind their employees of the company philosophy of service and quality that made them successful, Israel would need to constantly remind themselves that it was God’s blessing that made them prosperous.

“And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.  As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 8:19-20)

Just as forgetting what set them apart from their competitors leads to the decline and collapse of a business, failure to maintain their distinctive obedience to God would surely lead to the decline and collapse of Israel because they would no longer be different.  Different results cannot be expected unless something has been done differently.

Don’t Get Caught In a Tangle

Deuteronomy 7:1-11

"When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.  For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.  But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.” (Deuteronomy 7:1-5)

The land Israel would be moving into was already occupied by seven other groups, any of which was larger than Israel.  God was taking the land away from them because of the wickedness they had allowed in the land, according to Leviticus 18:24-25.  “Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.”

Israel was not to make any treaties or allow them to live in the land, and they were especially not to intermarry with them, not because of their race, but because they would encourage Israel to turn away from God’s covenant, even to the point of worshipping other gods, and bring God’s judgment on themselves.   Christians are given the same warning in II Corinthians 6:14-18.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (II Corinthians 6:14-18)

Adopting the attitudes and standards of unsaved people leads to a lifestyle God can not bless, and may progress to the point he has to chasten the Christian.  I Peter 4:17-18 warns, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  God did not intend for his people to be like the world’s.

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.  The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

God had chosen Israel to be a special people to himself.  He had not chosen them because they were better or richer or stronger, but because he loved them and had made a promise to their ancestors.  Because of that promise and his love, he had miraculously delivered Israel from slavery.

In the same way God has chosen Christians to be a special people to him.  I Peter 2:9-10 tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  

He did not choose us for any special accomplishments or abilities.  Titus 3:5 informs us. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”  John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  He simply loved us and offered salvation to anyone who would believe in him.

“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.” (Deuteronomy 7:9-11)

By his very nature, God can be depended on to keep his promises to save and keep those who believe on him.  By the same nature, he can be depended on to punish those who refuse to believe him and hate him.  Because of that nature, it is critical that his people obey him.  II Timothy 2:11-13 warns, “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”  

Titus 3:8 repeats the thought.  “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”  Galatians 5:1instructs “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

There are a lot of guys who participate in rodeos in our area, and several of the ropers are missing a finger or two.  It is almost always the result of carelessly having allowed a little slack in the rope which then tangled around the finger.  When the animal they roped hit the end of the rope, the tangle was jerked down on the finger, amputating it.  Allowing a little slack in our obedience of God can similarly result in entanglement and injury.  Too close an association with nonbelievers may well distract God’s people into allowing a little slack.

Setting The Attitude For The Next Generation

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. 

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:1-5)

The ten commandments established general guidelines or principles for Israel’s relationship to God.  The first few relate strictly to their relationship to God, while the others focus on the relationship to other people as being created in the image of God.    In Matthew 22:36-40, The Scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus which was the most important law.  “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

If a man loves God as he should, he will care about others because they are in the image of God and were created by him.  I John 4:20 declares, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”  In fact, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love,” according to I John 4:8.

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

Gods word was to be the center of everything the Jews did.  It was to be the main point of discussion, and of teaching their children, the last thing they thought about before going to sleep and the first thought in th morning.  They were always to have a copies of the commands with them like an engraved bracelet on their wrist or on a headband where they would be constantly reminded what God expected.  They were to post them on the doorposts of their homes and at the gates of the city to inform visitors of the standard that was expected.  Visitors were to be held to the same standard as local people.  Numbers  15:29 commands, “Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 makes it clear why this was necessary.   “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”  Ultimately, man’s only responsibility is to respect and obey God.  He can only do so if he knows what is expected.  The Christian is to give a similar amount of effort to learning what God expects.  II Timothy 2:15 commands, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

In Joshua 1:8, God commanded Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” The Greek word for study and the Hebrew word for meditate both refer to concentrating on the ideas expressed.  Only by taking the time to learn and fully understand will we be able to effectively implement God’s instruction.

“And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.  

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 
 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.   Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.” (Deuteronomy 6:10-16) 

The time of greatest danger of turning away from God comes when life is easy and we are no longer conscious of our daily dependence on God’s action in our lives.  Living in large cities and surrounded with an abundance of food and belongings, it would be easy to depend on the wells, fertile fields and herds of livestock and other people rather than on God, and to be distracted by what others considered most important allowing their relationship to God to fall by the wayside.  If they were not careful they would turn away from God, even to the point of blaming and accusing him of interfering just as the had at Massah or Meribah, when they accused him of just bringing them out there so he could destroy them, or even not really being there, as Exodus 17:1-7 describes.

“Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.  And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.” (Deuteronomy 6:17-19) 

Extreme diligence would be required to keep from forgetting what God had done for them when the problems were less pressing and the need for God’s intervention was less obvious.  While it would be easy to forget, their economic and social state would be determined by their adherence to God‘s plan.

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?  Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand: And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. 

And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.  And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.” (Deuteronomy 6:20-25)

While this generation had experienced God’s intervention on their behalf, future generations would not have that experience.  Their attitude toward God would be based solely on the attitudes and actions the observed in the older generation.  It would be critical that the older generation practice all the commands diligently to emphasize the importance to the young, but it was also essential that the reasons be explained.   Only by diligent observation and practice would the younger generation perceive the importance of the commands.

Unfortunately, the modern church has not been diligent in obeying God, or in teaching the youth why we do so, with the result that most consider God‘s commands relatively unimportant.  Christianity has become just a part of our tradition, rather than a way of life, because that is the way the older generation treated it.  The next generation will undoubtedly take it even less seriously for the same reason.

The Leader’s Responsibility

Deuteronomy 5:23-33

“And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.  Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.  For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?  Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.” (Deuteronomy 5:23-27) 

When God spoke to the Children of Israel to share the basic guidelines of his covenant, the ten commandments,  God demonstrated a little of his power.  Rather than being drawn to God by the display, they withdrew. Exodus 20:18-20 describes their reaction.  “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.  And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not."

Several years ago, My dad started to train a male donkey.  As Dad quickly discovered the Jack was very aggressive, and they very dangerous, often killing other animals.  After being attacked a couple of times, Dad took a bull whip and began to beat him.  After repeated efforts to escape, the jack decided to cooperate, and from then on any loud pop resulted in instant submission.  He had discovered that if you came obediently the whipping stopped.  He became a valuable animal because he understood the consequences of disobedience, and later became a real pet, having learned that there were also rewards for obedience.

Like the donkey, Israel initially was only concerned with getting away from the potential danger, with no interest in the rewards.   God only demonstrated his power to impress the importance of obedience on them.  Like most people, they didn’t want to yield.

“And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.  O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! “ (Deuteronomy 5:28-29)

God acknowledged the validity of their fear, knowing that they were not truly committed to serving him.  His desire was that they would have such an attitude of obedience that they would not have to fear the consequences but could just enjoy the rewards of obedience.

“Go say to them, Get you into your tents again.  But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.” (Deuteronomy 5:30-31) 

Recognizing that Israel was not prepared to yield to him yet, God allowed them to go home.  He directed Moses to stay and learn what God wanted so he could teach them to the people God’s commands and laws.  Thei would prepare them to live the life God wanted them to have in the land.  Moses was to be the pastor of the entire congregation, to use modern terminology.

“Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.  Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.” (Deuteronomy 5:32-33)

If they were to experience the life God wanted them to have, they must learn to obey his commands completely and explicitly.  Any deviation from God’s direction would interfere with God’s plan for their lives, and put them at risk.  The pastors and leaders of today have the same responsibility.  Matthew 28:18-20, often called the great commission, describes the job.  “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The parallels in Moses’ ministry and that of the pastor or missionary are very real, and Paul referred to them in I Corinthians 10:1-13.  In Matthew 28:19-20, the first 'teach,' from the Greek word for disciple means to cause to become a disciple and compares to the Passover, when they were freed from the power of Pharaoh.  The crossing the Red sea visibly demonstrated by the destruction of the power of Pharaoh, just as Baptism demonstrates our having been delivered from the power of sin and death.  The second teach comes from the Greek word for teach and means exactly that.  Like Moses, we are to teach them to do everything God has commanded us.  Like the promise to Moses, God will bless our obedience in this matter.

Reviewing The Ten Commandments

Deuteronomy 5:1-22

“And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.  The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.  The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.” (Deuteronomy 5:1-3)

Forty years before, God had given the contract with Israel.  Moses wanted and was inspired of God to review all the points of that Contract before he died so they would know what their obligations were.  He stressed that the contract was not with their forefathers, but with them personally.  The covenant with the Abraham was a completely different contract, guaranteeing that Abraham‘s descendants would inherit the land.  The covenant with the people promised a good life free of disease and turmoil in that land if they fulfilled their part, in obeying the commandments.

 In Galatians 3, Paul stresses this same point, insisting that salvation and righteousness is fulfillment of the contract with Abraham.  The Law was a separate contract that does not apply to the Christian, although he makes a similar offer to us, that if we obey him he will reveal himself to us in a special way and keep us from sin.  John 14:21 promises, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  Galatians 5:16 promises, “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  It is a separate promise from the statements in John 3:16-18 or Romans 10:9-10.

“The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 5:4-6)

God had demonstrated his ability to keep his covenant and meet their needs.  The people had recognized his power and feared to communicate directly, leaving that strictly to Moses.  Based on his demonstration, God requested an exclusive contract with Israel.

“Thou shalt have none other gods before me.” (Deuteronomy 5:7)

The Hebrew word translated before literal means the face and is used to convey a much broader range of meaning than the English word ‘before’.  One of those meanings is along with or beside.  Not only were they to not place Any other god as equal or better than God, they were not even to consider any other god.  Exodus 23:13 commands “…make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”  Any other God was to be excluded from consideration.

“Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” (Deuteronomy 5:8-10)

Out of respect for God, they were not to make any statues or pictures of anything, or to bow down to those of others, to avoid any semblance of worshipping another god.  Worshipping other gods would incite God’s anger and result in judgment, while obedience would produce great benefit.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Deuteronomy 5:11) 

Out of respect for God they were not to frivolously use his name.  The Jews take this so seriously that many today will not even write the name completely out, often writing G*d instead.   It was far more than simply not using his name as an expletive.  Modern references to the old man upstairs are equally disrespectful toward God.

“Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.  Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.  And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:12-15)

The Sabbath was to be set aside to the Lord.  Out of respect to him it was not to be spent accomplishing human goals.  They were no longer to be slaves to human life or to each other because God had delivered them from slavery.  On that basis he demanded they keep the Sabbath.

“Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Deuteronomy 5:16) 

God has placed the parents in a position of authority similar to his, and respect for him should result in respect for the parents.  Such respect ensures a long prosperous life.

“Thou shalt not kill.” (Deuteronomy 5:17) 

Murder is the ultimate  insult toward God because man was made in the image of God according to Genesis 9:6.   “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”  It is why murder was to be punished by death.

“Neither shalt thou commit adultery.” (Deuteronomy 5:18)

God creates a special bond between Husband and wife when they come together sexually.  Adultery breaks that bond God created implying it doesn’t matter.  In Matthew 19:5-6 Jesus spoke,  “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

“Neither shalt thou steal.” (Deuteronomy 5:19) 

Theft demonstrates a lack of respect for God, implying he will not supply one’s needs.

“Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Deuteronomy 5:20)

Because man was created in the image of God, like murder, lies and slander are in effect an attack on the righteousness of God.  In fact, Proverbs 26:28states, “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it;…” While I John 3:15 warns, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer…”

“Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.” (Deuteronomy 5:21)

Ephesians 5:5 equates covetousness with Idolatry.  “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

“These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.” (Deuteronomy 5:22)

These ten commandments were the basic principles of God’s law.  In effect they were the Jewish Constitution or Declaration of Independence.  While they definitely affect interpersonal relationships, each one is based on the attitude toward God.

Reviewing The Ten Commandments

Deuteronomy 5:1-22

“And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.  The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.  The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.” (Deuteronomy 5:1-3)

Forty years before, God had given the contract with Israel.  Moses wanted and was inspired of God to review all the points of that Contract before he died so they would know what their obligations were.  He stressed that the contract was not with their forefathers, but with them personally.  The covenant with the Abraham was a completely different contract, guaranteeing that Abraham‘s descendants would inherit the land.  The covenant with the people promised a good life free of disease and turmoil in that land if they fulfilled their part, in obeying the commandments.

 In Galatians 3, Paul stresses this same point, insisting that salvation and righteousness is fulfillment of the contract with Abraham.  The Law was a separate contract that does not apply to the Christian, although he makes a similar offer to us, that if we obey him he will reveal himself to us in a special way and keep us from sin.  John 14:21 promises, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  Galatians 5:16 promises, “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  It is a separate promise from the statements in John 3:16-18 or Romans 10:9-10.

“The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 5:4-6)

God had demonstrated his ability to keep his covenant and meet their needs.  The people had recognized his power and feared to communicate directly, leaving that strictly to Moses.  Based on his demonstration, God requested an exclusive contract with Israel.

“Thou shalt have none other gods before me.” (Deuteronomy 5:7)

The Hebrew word translated before literally means the face and is used to convey a much broader range of meaning than the English word ‘before’.  One of those meanings is along with or beside.  Not only were they to not place any other god as equal or better than God, they were not even to consider any other god.  Exodus 23:13 commands “…make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”  Any other God was to be excluded from consideration.

“Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” (Deuteronomy 5:8-10)

Out of respect for God, they were not to make any statues or pictures of anything, or to bow down to those of others, to avoid any semblance of worshipping another god.  Worshipping other gods would incite God’s anger and result in judgment, while obedience would produce great benefit.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Deuteronomy 5:11)

Out of respect for God they were not to frivolously use his name.  The Jews take this so seriously that many today will not even write the name completely out, often writing G*d instead.   It was far more than simply not using his name as an expletive.  Modern references to the old man upstairs are equally disrespectful toward God.

“Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.  Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.  And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:12-15)

The Sabbath was to be set aside to the Lord.  Out of respect to him it was not to be spent accomplishing human goals.  They were no longer to be slaves to human life or to each other because God had delivered them from slavery.  On that basis he demanded they keep the Sabbath.

“Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Deuteronomy 5:16)

God has placed the parents in a position of authority similar to his, and respect for him should result in respect for the parents.  Such respect ensures a long prosperous life.

“Thou shalt not kill.” (Deuteronomy 5:17)

Murder is the ultimate  insult toward God because man was made in the image of God according to Genesis 9:6.   “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”  It is why murder was to be punished by death.

“Neither shalt thou commit adultery.” (Deuteronomy 5:18)

God creates a special bond between Husband and wife when they come together sexually.  Adultery breaks that bond God created implying it doesn’t matter.  In Matthew 19:5-6 Jesus spoke,  “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

“Neither shalt thou steal.” (Deuteronomy 5:19)

Theft demonstrates a lack of respect for God, implying he will not supply one’s needs.

“Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Deuteronomy 5:20)

Because man was created in the image of God, like murder, lies and slander are in effect an attack on the righteousness of God.  In fact, Proverbs 26:28states, “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it;…” While I John 3:15 warns, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer…”

“Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.” (Deuteronomy 5:21)

Ephesians 5:5 equates covetousness with idolatry.  “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

“These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.” (Deuteronomy 5:22)

These ten commandments were the basic principles of God’s law.  In effect they were the Jewish Constitution or Declaration of Independence.  While they definitely affect interpersonal relationships, each one is based on the attitude toward God.

A Special People

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

“For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?  Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?  Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? 


Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.  Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he showed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.  And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt; To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day. ” (Deuteronomy 4:32-38) 

Israel had been and was blessed in a way no other nation had been blessed, with God taking them as his special people, miraculously setting them up their own kingdom, revealing himself in various ways and demonstrating his power on their behalf in a way he had never done for any other group.   They were chosen because of their forefathers relationship with God, and not because they were better or more faithful than others.

Ezekiel 36:22-23 explains why God has chosen to act on Israel’s part.  “Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.  And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.”  

Deuteronomy 4:5-6 describes the impact obedience will have on other nations.  "Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

I Peter 2:9-10 makes a similar statement about those who have believed in Christ.  “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  When they allow God to have his way in their lives they witness to his greatness according to Acts 1:8.  “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  The Christian’s purpose here on earth is to demonstrate God’s power and love to the world around us, just as the Jews were to.  It can only happen when we live in such a way that the world can see his action in our lives.

“Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.  Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.” (Deuteronomy 4:39-40)

If Israel would recognize God as God and keep his commandments, they would be blessed above all nations, with long healthy lives, and retain their power and freedom throughout the generations to come.

In John 14:21 Jesus promised that he would reveal himself to those who obeyed him.  “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”   Luke 11:28 promises that those who keep his word will blessed.  “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”  Our obedience is the primary reason for his answering our prayers according to I John 3:22.  “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”  Failure to obey produces chastisement and loss of fellowship instead according to Hebrews 12:6-8.

“Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sun rising; That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live: Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.” (Deuteronomy 4:41-43) 

Moses identified three cities of refuge on the east side of Jordan where those who accidentally killed some one could flee for protection as specified by the Law.  The three on the west would not be established until the rest of the land was taken.

“And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt, On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come forth out of Egypt: And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jordan toward the sun rising; From Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is Hermon, And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.” (Deuteronomy 4:44-40)

The Importance Of keeping Their Part Of The Covenant

Deuteronomy 4:5-31

“Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.   Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.   For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?  And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” (Deuteronomy 4:5-8) 

Prior to Hammurabi, local leaders established the laws and rules of their community or district.  Somewhere around 1750 BC., Hammurabi established a set of laws for the entire Babylonian kingdom, placing pillars inscribed with the set of laws at the most frequent entry points to inform travelers of the laws.

Based on Ussher’s Chronology, many scholars conclude that the Jewish law was in fact based on Hammurabi’s code rather than given by God, as it came many years before the projected date of the exodus.  Using the timeframe indicated by the Bible itself, we find that the exodus took place near the same time he established the code, and given the difficulty in determining accurate dates, the exodus may well have preceded Hammurabi’s code by a few years.  In any case at the time the law was given, they had not yet traveled far enough north and east to have seen the Stele it was inscribed on.

While similar to Hammurabi‘s code, the Mosaic Law was more detailed and addressed areas the code did not.  God specifically said the observance of these laws would make them an example and model to the nations around them.  We can look back through history and see that that was God’s plan all along, to draw other nations to himself.

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. 


And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.  And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.  And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.  And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.” (Deuteronomy 4:9-14)

Forty years before, when God gave the law, every man there had been under twenty years of age, but many of them could remember seeing the fire come down on the mountain, hearing God speak and Moses bringing the tables of stone to them.  Moses reminds them not to forget what they saw at the time, or that the laws they have been taught were given by God.  They were not to forget that those laws were designed to enable them to be victorious and retain the land.

Hebrews 12:6-8 gives a similar warning to Christians.  “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”  Professed Christians who can remain in sin without experiencing God’s judgment are not really God’s children, but just pretenders.

“Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.  But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.” (Deuteronomy 4:15-20) 

God had not allowed the people to see any of his form when he manifested himself to them because of the danger they would try to make some figure like it to worship.  As Paul said in Acts 17:29, “…we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.”  With a real idea of God’s appearance man would be tempted to make some sort of picture and begin to worship it instead of the God it represented, forgetting that it was God himself, not the picture that delivered them.

“Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance: But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land. 


Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.  For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:21-24)

Moses had failed to glorify God just one time, when he allowed his frustration with their complaining to cause him to take credit for what God would do.  As a result of that one time he was not allowed to enter the promised land.  They needed to understand how important it was that they obey God completely.   Because he is a loving and forgiving God, betrayal is foreign to him, and he will not ignore it.

“When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger: I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.  And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.  And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” (Deuteronomy 4:25-28) 

Future generations would not have that same experience and would begin to view the stories as just stories.  Eventually they would cease to follow the Lord’s commands.   When that time came, Moses warned that God would certainly destroy the nation and scatter them among the other nations, where they would be outnumbered and absorbed into the other culture.  Seven hundred years later Israel would be conquered and carried away to Babylon for that very reason.

We see the same tendency among second and third generation Christians today.  Where their parents really knew the Lord‘s power, their children and grand children just see it a part of their family tradition.  It requires concerted effort to prevent this, and many don’t expend the effort, assuming their children already know.

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.  When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)

When they were destroyed and scattered, Moses also promised them that if they would turn back and obey God sincerely, God would honor his promises again because he is a merciful and loving God.  While the sin might prevent his fulfilling his promises, it would not void them.  As soon as the sin stopped, the promises would begin to take effect again.

You’re Not Ford

Deuteronomy 4:1-4

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.” (Deuteronomy 4:1)

Thirty nine years before, while they at Mount Sinai, God had made a covenant or contract with Israel that if they would obey his laws, he would give them the land and protect them.  He also warned them that if the ignored the commandments, they would lose that land,

“Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.  Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.” (Leviticus 18:24-28.)

The countries occupying the land at the time had defiled it with the ir wickedness, and being vomited out.  Perhaps it was something of this nature the twelve spies referred to in Numbers 13:32.  “And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof…”

God definitely promised that one of the benefits of obeying his commandments fully would be freedom from disease.  Exodus 15:26 quotes him.  “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”  It causes one to wonder how many of the epidemics of history could have been avoided by simply obeying God.

Paul informs Christians, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works,” in II Timothy 3:16-17.  II Peter 1:3 proclaims, “…his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

God had given every instruction that was needed to live peacefully and happily in the land he gave them.  Any changes they made would make it less effective.  Over the centuries, the Jews developed the Gemara, a collection of commentary and traditional interpretation of the Mishna or text.  Today many Talmudic Jews believe it to be as important as the text itself.  In Mark 7:8-9, Jesus accused the Pharisees of having replaced the word of God with other things. “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

Since God has given everything the Christian needs to please God, any modifications will also interfere with our relationship with him.   Man has no right to add anything to God’s statements, and anything that purports to be from God must be completely aligned with other scripture.   Later God will give specific instructions as to how to determine whether they actually came from God or not.  Until it has been verified as coming from God, it is not to be accepted.  Age was not one of the criteria.  Many ancient manuscripts or apocryphal books exist that do not meet the standards God provided and are thus to be excluded.

Commentaries and other religious writings, while they can be helpful in understanding what the scripture says, are not to be the basis for our teaching or practice, nor are the standards of a pastor or religious leader.  In I timothy 4:1-3, Paul warned, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

Setting our own standards is just as much adding to or detracting from the Word of God as writing another book or rewriting the Bible to leave out or include other doctrines.   In Galatians 1:6-8, Paul warned the Galatians, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Revelation 22:18-19 warns, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”  How much of the teaching about the Second Coming involves either adding to or taking away from God’s word?

“Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.  But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.” (Deuteronomy 4:3-4)

The Israelites Moses was speaking to had seen the consequences of disobedience when Israel got involved with the Moabites at Baalpeor about a year before and thousands died as a result.  They needed to keep it in mind.  Those who followed what God said survived, but those who didn’t think it mattered died.

Ford Motor company’s slogan is “Ford has a better idea.”  While Ford might have a better idea than another car company, it’s pretty arrogant to think we have a better way than God’s, although I’ve heard a few preacher say they had a higher standard.  You are fooling yourself if you believe it.

Joshua Named To Replace Moses

Deuteronomy 3:18-29

“And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war.  But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, (for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you; Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.” (Deuteronomy 3:18-20)

Moses had been hesitant to give the lands east of Jordan to the tribes of Reuben Gad and Manasseh because he feared they would not assist the others in getting their land and that it would lead to problems.  They had agreed to leave their belongings and families behind and go with the rest of the army to help take Canaan.  Numbers 32 describes the agreement.

“And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest.  Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:21-22) 

The Israelite defeat and seizure of Heshbon and Bashan terrified the surrounding nations.  Rahab described the fear felt in Jericho in Joshua 2:9-11.  “And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.  For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.  And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”

Moses was concerned that the Israelites themselves would be afraid to trust God, even after all the proofs of his power.  God wouldn’t have wasted the effort if he wasn’t going to finish the job.  He basically told Joshua the same thing God told hin in Joshua 1:1-9.  “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 


Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 


Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 


This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

We are directed to have a similar focus as Christians.  In Luke 12:31-32 Jesus commanded, “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  Paul gave similar instructions in II Timothy  1:7-8.  “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”

“And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?  I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. 


But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.  Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.  But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.  So we abode in the valley over against Bethpeor.” (Deuteronomy 3:23-29)

About thirty eight years before, frustrated with the peoples constant complaining, Moses had taken the focus away from God, saying “Must WE bring forth water out of the rock?” and hitting it twice to emphasize his point.  In doing so he implied that it was he and Aaron rather than God doing these things, and God told him he would not be allowed to go into the land because he had not sanctified God in doing so.

Though Moses begged to go into the land, God refused to allow it.  He did allow him to go up to the top of mount Pisgah and look at the land which they would receive.  Moses was commanded not to ask any more.  Instead, he was to encourage Joshua to lead them.

The Land On The East Of The Jordan

Deuteronomy 2:24-3:17

“Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.  This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.” (Deuteronomy 2:24-25) 

Israel was to cross the Arnon river and take the land of  Heshbon form the Amorite hing, Sihon.  It would be the first part of their possession, and the victory would serve to demoralize the surrounding countries.

“And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.  Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet; (As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.” (Deuteronomy 2:26-29) 

Despite the fact that God had told them to take that land, Moses requested permission to cross the land and offered to pay for any damages or food or water consumed.

“But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day. 


And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land. 


Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.  And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.  And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain: Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.  From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us: Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us.” (Deuteronomy 2:30-37)

Instead of agreeing to allow Israel to pass, Sihon attacked them, making himself the aggressor.  Israel was victorious and wiped them out, keeping the livestock and possessions for themselves.  At the same time, they did not attack any land God had told them not to bother.

“Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. 


And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.” (Deuteronomy 3:1-2) 

 Hoping to catch Israel off guard, Og, king of Bashan, another Amorite kingdom, decided to strike first.  God reassured Moses that they had nothing to fear.  Israel could defeat him as completely as they had Sihon.

“So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining.  And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.  All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.  And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.  But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves. 


And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon; (Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;) All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.  For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.” (Deuteronomy 3:3-11) 

While we do not know how large some giants might have been, anyone over eight feet is considered a giant today.  Og’s bead was over thirteen feet long and six wide, or about the size of two full sized beds side by side.  His size might intimidate ordinary people, but it was no protection against God’s power.  Og was the last descendant of a family of giants who had lived in the region.

“And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.  And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants.  Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.  And I gave Gilead unto Machir. 


And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.” (Deuteronomy 3:12-17)

The land taken from the Sihon and Og, and given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh reached from the border of Moab, where the river Arnon feeds into the Dead Sea north to the sea of Galilee, and from the Jordan river East to the capital of present day Jordan, Amman, or Ammon.

Summary Of The First Thirty Eight Years In The Wilderness

Deuteronomy 2:1-27

“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.” (Deuteronomy 2:1)

Israel’s stay at Kadesh Barnea and refusal to go into Canaan gave the Canaanites time to gather and get assistance from the Amorites, thus defeating Israel.  As a result Israel was forced to withdraw to the southeast to the gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea.  Because both the Moabites and the Edomites refused them permission to enter their land, they spent the next thirty eight years roaming the desert south and east of the Edomite land known as Seir, traveling as far south as mount Hor(Sinai) and Rephidim.

“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.


 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 2:2-7) 

After thirty eight years, during which the older men all died, God directed Israel to again go north, but not to bother the Edomites in Seir, the descendants of Esau.  The land of Seir had been given to Esau and was to be theirs.  Israel was to buy any bread or water they obtained from the Edomites, because God had blessed them during the forty years, and they were to show that in their treatment of the Edomites.  Israel went along the eastern border of the Edomite land to the wilderness area on the east edge of Moab.

“And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.  And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession. 

The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.  The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.” (Deuteronomy 2:8-12)

God also forbade taking the land from the Moabites because they were descendants of Lot.  Both the Moabites and Edomites had previously refused permission to enter the land, but now they were afraid even to refuse permission.   Both groups had taken the land from previous occupants, including a race of giants known as the Emims.

“Now rise up, said I, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered.  And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.  For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.


 So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, That the LORD spake unto me, saying, Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day: And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession. 


(That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims; A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead: As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)” (Deuteronomy 2:13-23)


The Ammonites, also descendents of Lot lived next to the Moabites, and Israel was not to disturb them either. Their land had also originally been inhabited by a race of giants.

Reminded Of The Consequences Of Disobedience

Deuteronomy 1:22-43

 “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) 

When a question came up. Moses went to the Lord for an answer, and the people’s suggestion to send spies was no exception.  God clearly approved as Numbers 13:1-3 shows.  “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.  And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.”  

The spies had traveled from Kadesh Barnea to the northern border, identifying the best routes and most powerful cities and returned with samples of the crops demonstrating that the land was very productive.

“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.  Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.” (Deuteronomy 1:26-28) 

Romans 14:23 states, “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”  Israel’s refusal to trust God and obey him was sin.  As Moses said they rebelled, and accused him of hating them and trying to destroy them, because they believed the people were larger than they were.


“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 show you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.” (Deuteronomy 1:29-33)

Moses, as well as Aaron, and Joshua and Caleb, had tried to convince them that God would give the victory, reminding them of what he had already done,  They refused to listen, even threatening to kill them.

“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.” (Deuteronomy1:34-36) 

Their refusal to trust him angered the Lord and he refused to allow any of that generation to go into the land except Caleb and Joshua.  Because Caleb was willing to follow completely, he would survive.

“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.” (Deuteronomy 1:37-38)

A little later, frustrated with the people’s constant complaining and disobedience, Moses had taken the credit for what God was doing and God said he could not enter the land either.  Instead he was to prepare Joshua to lead Israel into the land.

“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.  But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.” (Deuteronomy 1:39-40)

They had used the excuse that their children would become slaves or die in the wilderness.  God stated that he would save the children, who lacked the knowledge to make a choice, and give them the land.  Those who chose not to obey God would not be allowed to go.  Instead they were to turn back to the Gulf of Aqaba and back to the area they had been before.

“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.” (Deuteronomy 1:41-43)

Realizing what the consequences of their sin would be, Israel had suddenly decided they’d do what God had originally told them.  Unfortunately they had changed their minds too late, and that option had been withdrawn.  They were warned not to try to go but again disobeyed and tried to go.

“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.  So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there.” (Deuteronomy 1:44-46)

Amorite and Canaanite forces attacked them and forced them to retreat toward Seir and Hormah, killing many.  Suddenly repentant, they begged for God to do what he had originally offered, but he would not change his mind again, and they spent the next forty years in the wilderness, a year for each day they spent in Kadesh Barnea, waiting for the spies.

These events had happened forty years before and only a few of the people were old enough to remember them, although they had heard the stories.  Moses was reminding the new generation of their history so they wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes.

Preparing the People to Enter The Promised Land

Deuteronomy 1:1-21

For forty years, Moses had led the people of Israel around present day Saudi Arabia and Jordan.  God had revealed that he would die soon and commanded him to prepare the people to go into the land of Canaan.  While the last chapters of Numbers focus on the physical preparations, Deuteronomy focuses on the spiritual and emotional preparation.  Moses will review the record of what has happened to them and how God has cared for them, laying a foundation for them to trust God when they enter the land.

At the same time he reviews the agreement between them and God and stresses the importance of keeping their part.  That God will keep his part of the agreement is obvious from his repeatedly having fulfilled it even when they broke their part.  He also reminds them of the consequences they have already suffered for breaking the agreement.

“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 Kadeshbarnea.) 


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; 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, 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 1:1-7)

In the eleventh month of the fortieth year after leaving Horeb, the area around Mount Hor in Arabia, also known as Sinai, Moses spoke to the people about what they were to do.  They are on the East side of the Jordan river in the desert that swings northeast from the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, just across from Jericho.   Numbers 33 describes their coming to that particular place.  The census they took there showed that not one of the old men had survived, and God told them they had been in the wilderness and that area long enough.

“Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.” (Deuteronomy 1:8)

God had promised the land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and now Moses has brought them to place where they can take possession of it as he had promised.

“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. 


And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.  Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.  And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.” (Deuteronomy 1:9-18)

When they first started their journey, Moses had been overwhelmed by the constant bickering and demands on his time.  His father-in-law, Jethro had suggested selecting leaders to take judge and deal with such issues, freeing Moses to lead the congregation.  After a brief period the people found it a satisfactory process and when God instructed them to always follow that program with only minor changes the people readily agreed.

Much of the Old Testament Law was devoted to how disputes and conflicts were to be handled in an equitable manner.  While many scholars credit Hammurabi with codifying the first set of laws and believe the Jews copied the idea, accepting the biblical time record leads to the conclusion that Moses had received the Law before Hammurabi came to power.

“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 Kadeshbarnea. 


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)

Traveling northward from Horeb they had passed through the Amorite homeland.   they had turned northwest to Kadesh Barnea, an eleven day journey by the time they went around the Edomite land of mount Seir.  At Kadesh Barnea, God told them they had come to a part of the land God would give them and they were to proceed in and take the land, with no fear because God had given it.  Numbers 34 tells us Kadesh Barnea was to be one of the points on the southern boundary.