Preparing to Enter Canaan
June 27, 2021
Commentary
The book of Deuteronomy opens with Moses giving a brief history lesson of what God has done for His people (vv. 1-11). The people are at Kadesh Barnea, 40 years after their deliverance from Egypt. (v. 3). Moses is about to expound God’s law and prepare the new generation to enter Canaan. He didn’t want them to fail as their fathers had failed before them. The purpose is that the Israelites would rededicate their lives to God. They had spent 40 years on a journey that should have taken 11 days. It wasn’t distance that prevented them from entering the promised land, but the condition of their heart. A knowledge of history is important because if you know where you are and where you came from you will have an easier time discovering what you should be doing.
Moses’ summary of Israel’s 40 years begins at Mount Sinai and not in Egypt. This was where God gave his covenant to the people (Ex. 19:20). In His covenant God gave His people a comprehensive set of laws and guidelines that stated how He wanted them to live. The people could no longer say they didn’t know the difference between right and wrong. Moses shares how it was a tremendous burden for him to lead the nation by himself, so he was forced to share the leadership with others (v.v. 12-18). He identifies some of the qualities of good leadership such as wisdom, understanding and impartiality. God gave him 70 elders to assist in managing the affairs of the camp.
Application
Like Moses I have often tended to try to do everything myself instead of sharing my workload with others. Moses made a wise decision to share his leadership with others and I need to do the same. This gives others an opportunity to exercise their God-given gifts and abilities.
Deuteronomy 1:1– 18 (NET)
1 This is what Moses said to all of Israel in the Transjordanian wilderness, the arid rift valley opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Di Zahab. 2 Now it is ordinarily an eleven-day journey from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by way of Mount Seir. 3 However, it was not until the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year that Moses addressed the Israelites just as the Lord had instructed him to do. 4 This took place after the defeat of King Sihon of the Amorites, whose capital was in Heshbon, and King Og of Bashan, whose capital was in Ashtaroth, specifically in Edrei. 5 So it was in the Transjordan, in Moab, that Moses began to deliver these words:
6 The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb and said, “You have stayed in the area of this mountain long enough. 7 Head out and resume your journey. Enter the Amorite hill country, and all its neighboring areas, including the rift valley, the hill country, the foothills, the Negev, and the coastal plain—all of Canaan and Lebanon as far as the Great River, that is, the Euphrates. 8 Look! I have already given the land to you. Go, occupy the territory that I, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their descendants.” 9 I also said to you at that time, “I am no longer able to sustain you by myself. 10 The Lord your God has increased your population to the point that you are now as numerous as the very stars of the sky. 11 Indeed, may the Lord, the God of your ancestors, make you a thousand times more numerous than you are now, blessing you just as he said he would! 12 But how can I alone bear up under the burden of your hardship and strife? 13 Select wise and practical men, those known among your tribes, whom I may appoint as your leaders.” 14 You replied to me that what I had said to you was good. 15 So I chose as your tribal leaders wise and well-known men, placing them over you as administrators of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and also as other tribal officials. 16 I furthermore admonished your judges at that time that they should pay attention to issues among your fellow citizens and judge fairly, whether between one person and a native Israelite or a resident foreigner. 17 They must not discriminate in judgment, but hear the lowly and the great alike. Nor should they be intimidated by human beings, for judgment belongs to God. If the matter being adjudicated is too difficult for them, they should bring it before me for a hearing.
18 So I instructed you at that time regarding everything you should do.