Preparing to Enter Canaan

Deuteronomy 1:1–18
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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.