Reading through the Bible in one year - today - Deuteronomy Chapter 1 & 2

Chapter 1

v. 1 - 4 [The Covenant Setting] We are now getting our bearings on where we are. One note should be that the name Horeb (used primarily in the book of Deuteronomy), and Sinani (used primarily in Exodus) are actually the same area. Also to note, what should have taken them 11 days to travel, about 140 miles, or from Tulsa to Oklahoma City, took them in reality, over 40 years. And it was not because Moses would not ask for directions. God would not let the unfaithful into the promise land. So now Moses is ready to speak to the people and tell them what to prepare for.

v. 6 - 17 [Events at Horeb] At Horeb, God told Moses to get up and go to the land that they were to receive. Moses gave them leaders to watch over the people so that they would be cared for down to the lowest level and only when it needed to, should it be brought to Moses. And they were to increase. This is really an example of church growth, leveling the caring so that all members are ministered to. Each member of a team having 5 to 10 people that he checks on, they report to a higher level, who has 5 to 10 of them etc. Eventually getting to the Pastor. If there is a problem, then it can be passed up the line as it was with Moses.

v. 18 - 25 [Instructions at Kadesh Barnea] Moses continues. We made it to Kadesh Barnea, and God told us to go take the land. You people told me to send spies in and to check out how to take the land. I thought it was a good idea, so I listened to you (gee where have we heard about listening to the wrong people before?). They came back and told us how good the land was.

v. 26 - 33 [Disobedience at Kadesh Barnea] So they came back with a bad report, the land is filled with giants in cities that we will never break into. It drained your faith. (Negative reports, from others or yourself will do that). I told you that the great God who delivered us from Egypt and carried us like a father carries a son, He would go before us, but you had no confidence. (Is Moses stepping on some toes here or what?)

v. 34 - 40 [Judgment at Kadesh Barnea] So God became angry with you, and swore that you would never enter the land, but instead, the children that you thought would be sacrifices, they will take the land. Only two older ones will enter. Caleb, who gave the good report with Joshua, who is my successor. As for me, God is angry at me because of you people (gee Moses is laying it on a little thick here, wasn't it because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it?)

v. 41 - 46 [Unsuccessful Conquest of Canaan] So what happens, you repent and try to take the land any way. Why didn't you listen when I warned you, you were beaten cause God was not with you, in fact he has not been with you, but with your offspring. He wouldn't listen to you when you cried out.

Chapter 2

v. 1 - 15 [The Journey from Kadesh Barnea to Moab] So we wandered, and after a while, we got to a point and God told me to head north with you. We were to pass by the land of your distant cousins, Edom, where the descendants of Esau settled. You will not live there, you can get food and drink, but this land is not yours, I have sworn it to them. So we traveled to Moab, but God did not want you to go there either. That was the land of the descendants of Lot that I had given to them. (Remember Lot fathered two children from his daughters). So now we were ready to go take the land, for all the old generation had died.

v. 16 - 25 [Instructions Concerning Ammon] Moses basically repeats the last section and then adds they are ready to fight now, now that all the military men are gone by death. In fact, these Kings are going to be in fear of them.

v. 26 - 37 [Defeat of Sihon, King of Heshbon] So we sent a message to King Heshbon of Sihon, that we wanted to cross over in peace, conduct commerce with him, and go over to the land that God had given us, but he would not, God had hardened his heart. (Gee sounds like Pharaoh). So he attacked, and we beat him, not letting any of the people live, but taking their flocks and plunder. And God gave it to us all.


Notes: What a history these people had. Moses is giving it to them. They have a clean slate going into this land. What a life they could have had. Moses is trying to prep them for it. We have the vantage point of history and know what would happen, they would be like their parents, and we can sit here smugly and say we would never be like that. Guess, what, we do it every day. We deny God the power to defeat our enemies for us.

Bob M.