Israel was in her 40th year of wandering in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 1:1-4), but now they were encamped east of the Jordan River and poised to conquer Canaan, the land that had been promised to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 15:18-21). Before entering the land, Moses would give three speeches in order to reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past (Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43), remind them about the importance of God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 4:44-28:68), and recommit themselves to obeying God so that they could experience His goodness (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20). In the opening chapter of Deuteronomy, Moses reflected on Israel’s failure to enter Canaan in the second year after the exodus from Egypt. Moses had carefully explained that God was giving Israel the land and it was time for them to occupy it (1:5-8). God’s promise that Israel would occupy the land was an unchanging promise which had been made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:18-21; Genesis 26:3-5; Genesis 28:13-15; Genesis 35:12). Nothing could stop the fulfillment of this promise. Moses had even pointed out that God had already fulfilled part of the promise in making the nation a great multitude (Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17) that even he could not govern by himself (1:9-18). Rather than embracing the unchangeable promise of God to Abraham, Israel feared the inhabitants of Canaan and refused to overtake the land (1:19-33; see Numbers 13-14 for background). Israel’s refusal to conquer the occupants of the land that was rightly theirs resulted in God sentencing the older generation to die in the wilderness without ever inhabiting Canaan (1:34-46; see Numbers 14:26-45 for background).
After Israel’s refusal to enter and occupy the land, they wandered in the wilderness for 38 more years (1444-1406 BC) until the older generation died off (2:1). In the fortieth year of their wanderings, Israel finally began preparing for their conquest of Canaan by passing through the land of the Edomites (2:1-8), Moabites (2:9-18), and the Ammonites (2:19-23). Since these three groups of people were Israel’s relatives, they were commanded not to bother them: however, when Israel encountered Amorite territory, they were commanded to defeat King Sihon (2:26-37; see Numbers 21:21-32 for background) and King Og (3:1-11; see Numbers 21:33-35 for background), which they did. Following the defeat of these two kings and their lands, the land was divided between the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh (3:12-22; see Numbers 34:1-5 for details). Although this territory was outside the borders of Canaan, the three tribes who settled there promised to assist the rest of the tribes until Canaan had been conquered. When Moses realized how close they were to occupying the land, he pleaded with God to let him inhabit the land, but his entrance was still refused although he would eventually be permitted to view Canaan from Mount Pisgah prior to his death (3:23-29; see Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34:1-4).
Moses concludes this first speech with a call for Israel to obey all of God’s commandments. He declares, “Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’” (4:1-8, NLT). Not only was Israel to obey God’s commandments, but they were also to teach their children about the Law of God (4:9-14). Instructing their children would ensure that the next generation would walk in obedience to God’s commands. Moses then reminded the people about the importance of avoiding idolatry because God had made Israel His own people and would not tolerate the worship of other things (4:15-25). If Israel failed to obey God’s commandments or get caught up in idolatry, they would be scattered as a people (4:26-27); however, God would always preserve a remnant in Israel who would inherit the promises God had made to His nation (4:28-31). Unfortunately, God’s people eventually would be scattered and taken captive by other nations. In the meantime, Israel would need to remember that only God was worthy of their worship and as He had been faithful to them in the past, He would be faithful to them in the future (4:32-40). Obedience to God would result in their enjoying a long life in the land (4:40).
Dear God, help me to live a life of obedience to Your ways.
