February 17, 2025
Remember Israel's History?
Deuteronomy 1-3
Caleb Belk
Big Book Idea
There are three sermons from Moses, but the greater Moses is still to come.
Key Verse | Deuteronomy 1:1
These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
Deuteronomy 1-3
Chapter 1
The Command to Leave Horeb
1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2 It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea. 3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him in commandment to them, 4 after he had defeated Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and in Edrei. 5 Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this law, saying, 6 “The LORD our God said to us in Horeb, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negeb and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’
Leaders Appointed
9 At that time I said to you, ‘I am not able to bear you by myself. 10 The LORD your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as numerous as the stars of heaven. 11 May the LORD, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as he has promised you! 12 How can I bear by myself the weight and burden of you and your strife? 13 Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ 14 And you answered me, ‘The thing that you have spoken is good for us to do.’ 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, ‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him. 17 You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’ 18 And I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.
Israel's Refusal to Enter the Land
19 Then we set out from Horeb and went through all that great and terrifying wilderness that you saw, on the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us. And we came to Kadesh-barnea. 20 And I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. 21 See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ 22 Then all of you came near me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, that they may explore the land for us and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up and the cities into which we shall come.’ 23 The thing seemed good to me, and I took twelve men from you, one man from each tribe. 24 And they turned and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and spied it out. 25 And they took in their hands some of the fruit of the land and brought it down to us, and brought us word again and said, ‘It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us.’
26 Yet you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. 27 And you murmured in your tents and said, ‘Because the LORD hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. 28 Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven. And besides, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.”’ 29 Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. 30 The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ 32 Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the LORD your God, 33 who went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you by what way you should go.
The Penalty for Israel's Rebellion
34 And the LORD heard your words and was angered, and he swore, 35 ‘Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers, 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the LORD!’ 37 Even with me the LORD was angry on your account and said, ‘You also shall not go in there. 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. 39 And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn, and journey into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea.’
41 Then you answered me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD. We ourselves will go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ And every one of you fastened on his weapons of war and thought it easy to go up into the hill country. 42 And the LORD said to me, ‘Say to them, Do not go up or fight, for I am not in your midst, lest you be defeated before your enemies.’ 43 So I spoke to you, and you would not listen; but you rebelled against the command of the LORD and presumptuously went up into the hill country. 44 Then the Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do and beat you down in Seir as far as Hormah. 45 And you returned and wept before the LORD, but the LORD did not listen to your voice or give ear to you. 46 So you remained at Kadesh many days, the days that you remained there.
Chapter 2
The Wilderness Years
1 Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea, as the LORD told me. And for many days we traveled around Mount Seir. 2 Then the LORD said to me, 3 ‘You have been traveling around this mountain country long enough. Turn northward 4 and command the people, “You are about to pass through the territory of your brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. So be very careful. 5 Do not contend with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession. 6 You shall purchase food from them with money, that you may eat, and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink. 7 For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.”’ 8 So we went on, away from our brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir, away from the Arabah road from Elath and Ezion-geber.
And we turned and went in the direction of the wilderness of Moab. 9 And the LORD said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab or contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the people of Lot for a possession.’ 10 (The Emim formerly lived there, a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim. 11 Like the Anakim they are also counted as Rephaim, but the Moabites call them Emim. 12 The Horites also lived in Seir formerly, but the people of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them and settled in their place, as Israel did to the land of their possession, which the LORD gave to them.) 13 ‘Now rise up and go over the brook Zered.’ So we went over the brook Zered. 14 And the time from our leaving Kadesh-barnea until we crossed the brook Zered was thirty-eight years, until the entire generation, that is, the men of war, had perished from the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them. 15 For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from the camp, until they had perished.
16 So as soon as all the men of war had perished and were dead from among the people, 17 the LORD said to me, 18 ‘Today you are to cross the border of Moab at Ar. 19 And when you approach the territory of the people of Ammon, do not harass them or contend with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for a possession.’ 20 (It is also counted as a land of Rephaim. Rephaim formerly lived there—but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim— 21 a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim; but the LORD destroyed them before the Ammonites, 1 2:21 Hebrew them and they dispossessed them and settled in their place, 22 as he did for the people of Esau, who live in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites before them and they dispossessed them and settled in their place even to this day. 23 As for the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and settled in their place.) 24 ‘Rise up, set out on your journey and go over the Valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession, and contend with him in battle. 25 This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.’
The Defeat of King Sihon
26 So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon the king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying, 27 ‘Let me pass through your land. I will go only by the road; I will turn aside neither to the right nor to the left. 28 You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat, and give me water for money, that I may drink. Only let me pass through on foot, 29 as the sons of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for me, until I go over the Jordan into the land that the LORD our God is giving to us.’ 30 But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as he is this day. 31 And the LORD said to me, ‘Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to take possession, that you may occupy his land.’ 32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Jahaz. 33 And the LORD our God gave him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and all his people. 34 And we captured all his cities at that time and devoted to destruction 2 2:34 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction) every city, men, women, and children. We left no survivors. 35 Only the livestock we took as spoil for ourselves, with the plunder of the cities that we captured. 36 From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, as far as Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. The LORD our God gave all into our hands. 37 Only to the land of the sons of Ammon you did not draw near, that is, to all the banks of the river Jabbok and the cities of the hill country, whatever the LORD our God had forbidden us.
Chapter 3
The Defeat of King Og
1 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. 2 But the LORD said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have given him and all his people and his land into your hand. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.’ 3 So the LORD our God gave into our hand Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people, and we struck him down until he had no survivor left. 4 And we took all his cities at that time—there was not a city that we did not take from them—sixty cities, the whole region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 5 All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides very many unwalled villages. 6 And we devoted them to destruction, 3 3:6 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); twice in this verse as we did to Sihon the king of Heshbon, devoting to destruction every city, men, women, and children. 7 But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as our plunder. 8 So we took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon 9 (the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, while the Amorites call it Senir), 10 all the cities of the tableland and all Gilead and all Bashan, as far as Salecah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 11 (For only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his bed was a bed of iron. Is it not in Rabbah of the Ammonites? Nine cubits 4 3:11 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters was its length, and four cubits its breadth, according to the common cubit. 5 3:11 Hebrew cubit of a man )
12 When we took possession of this land at that time, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites the territory beginning at Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with its cities. 13 The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, that is, all the region of Argob, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh. (All that portion of Bashan is called the land of Rephaim. 14 Jair the Manassite took all the region of Argob, that is, Bashan, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called the villages after his own name, Havvoth-jair, as it is to this day.) 15 To Machir I gave Gilead, 16 and to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border, as far over as the river Jabbok, the border of the Ammonites; 17 the Arabah also, with the Jordan as the border, from Chinnereth as far as the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah on the east.
18 And I commanded you at that time, saying, ‘The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel. 19 Only your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in the cities that I have given you, 20 until the LORD gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also occupy the land that the LORD your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’ 21 And I commanded Joshua at that time, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. So will the LORD do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. 22 You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.’
Moses Forbidden to Enter the Land
23 And I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying, 24 ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? 25 Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’ 26 But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the LORD said to me, ‘Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan. 28 But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.’ 29 So we remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor.
Footnotes
[1] 2:21 Hebrew them[2] 2:34 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction)
[3] 3:6 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); twice in this verse
[4] 3:11 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
[5] 3:11 Hebrew cubit of a man
Table of Contents
Introduction to Deuteronomy
Timeline
Theme
Deuteronomy, the final book in the Pentateuch, contains Moses’ last three sermons and two prophetic poems about Israel’s future. Reflecting on the nation’s past mistakes, Moses urges the people not to repeat those errors when they enter the Promised Land. Possessing Canaan will fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs, but if the people fall into idolatry or fail to keep the law, they will be exiled.
Purpose and Background
Deuteronomy is largely a sermon, or set of sermons, preached by Moses to all of Israel shortly before his death. It is a motivational sermon, urging Israel’s faithful obedience to the covenant laws given 40 years previously at Sinai (Exodus 19–40).
The sermon is especially important because of Israel’s earlier failure to conquer the land (see Deut. 1:19–46). Now that they are back at the eastern border of the Promised Land, Moses wants to ensure that the people will be obedient this time. The sermon encourages obedience by constantly reassuring them of God’s faithfulness and his power to keep his promises. God is still faithful, despite Israel’s persistent sin (e.g., 1:19–46; 9:1–29). He is merciful to his sinful people, for the sake of his promises to Abraham.
In Deuteronomy, Moses urges Israel to trust and obey, and to conquer the land. He highlights God’s uniqueness (e.g., ch. 4), his power over other nations and armies (e.g., 2:1–23), and his grace and faithfulness. He reminds the people that God promised the land, that God’s gift of the land is undeserved (9:4–6), and that the land is full of good things (e.g., 6:10–12).
Moses emphasizes the importance of God’s law, given at Sinai (e.g., see 5:1–3). The large central section of Deuteronomy (12:1–26:19) recites the law and urges Israel to keep it. The law is wide-ranging, incorporating all areas of life (economics, family and sexual relationships, religious observance, leadership, justice, guidance, food, property, and warfare). The details of the laws expand upon the great command of 6:5, that Israel is to love the Lord with all its heart, soul, and strength. Chapters 12–16 show what such total love of God will look like and provide examples of what the Ten Commandments (ch. 5) mean in practice.
Key Themes
- God’s uniqueness (4:1–40).
- Israel’s election (4:37–38; 7:6–8; 10:14–15; 14:2).
- The land’s goodness (1:25; 6:10–11; 8:7–13; 11:8–15).
- God’s faithful promise-keeping (1:8, 19–46; 7:1–26; 8:1–20; 9:1–10:11).
- God’s power to defeat the enemies in the land (2:1–3:11; 4:1–40; 7:1–26).
- Exhortations to Israel to love, serve, fear, and obey God (6:5; 10:12–13; 13:4).
- Warnings against idolatry and instruction for proper worship of God (4:9–31; 5:6–10; 7:1–5; 8:19–20; 12:1–32; 13:1–18).
- The impact of God’s laws (12:1–27:26).
- Moses’ imminent death (1:37; 3:26; 4:21; 32:51; 34:1–12).
Outline
- Prologue (1:1–5)
- Moses’ First Speech: Historical Prologue (1:6–4:43)
- Moses’ Second Speech: General Covenant Stipulations (4:44–11:32)
- Moses’ Second Speech: Specific Covenant Stipulations (12:1–26:19)
- Moses’ Third Speech: Blessings and Curses (27:1–28:68)
- Moses’ Third Speech: Final Exhortation (29:1–30:20)
- Succession of Leadership (31:1–34:12)
The Setting of Deuteronomy
c. 1406 B.C.
The book of Deuteronomy records Moses’ words to the Israelites as they waited on the plains of Moab to enter Canaan. Moses begins by reviewing the events of Israel’s journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab.
Fact: Genesis through Deuteronomy
Genesis through Deuteronomy are the foundation of the Bible. They introduce the key promises that show God’s purposes in history and prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Fact: The Sadducees
The Sadducees were a small but powerful group of Jewish leaders who did not believe in the resurrection (12:18). This may have been because of their emphasis on the Pentateuch (Genesis–Deuteronomy), which does not seem to explicitly mention the resurrection. But Jesus showed them that the idea of resurrection can, in fact, be found in the Pentateuch (Mark 12:26–27).
Fact: Was Deuteronomy a treaty?
Was Deuteronomy a treaty? There are many similarities between the book of Deuteronomy and various ancient Near Eastern treaties that date from the time of Moses. When a nation made a treaty with a less powerful nation, the document began with the past relationship between the countries. Next, the treaty stated the laws that would govern the relationship from that point on. Finally, the treaty concluded with a list of blessings and punishments for obedience or disobedience.
Fact: A book of sermons?
A book of sermons? Deuteronomy consists of at least three addresses or sermons from Moses to Israel. Moses encourages Israel to obey all the commandments of God.
Fact: Jesus quoted from
Jesus quoted from the book of Deuteronomy more than any other OT book. He quoted 8:3 when tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:4).
Fact: The Book of the Law of the Lord
The Book of the Law of the Lord. The high priest discovered this forgotten book while the temple was being repaired (34:14). After reading the Law, King Josiah called the nation to further measures of repentance and reform. The book may have included part or all of Deuteronomy.
Fact: The Arabah
The Arabah (1:7) refers to the rugged and extremely dry region surrounding and south of the Dead Sea. The Israelites’ travels took them through this area.
Fact: The Jordan River
The Jordan River begins in the foothills of Mount Hermon and empties into the Dead Sea. The Jordan is more than 200 miles (322 km) long—the longest river in Palestine.
The Setting of Deuteronomy
c. 1406 B.C.
The book of Deuteronomy records Moses’ words to the Israelites as they waited on the plains of Moab to enter Canaan. Moses begins by reviewing the events of Israel’s journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Ancient Treaty Structures and Deuteronomy
| Ancient Treaty Structure | Deuteronomy |
|---|---|
| Preamble | 1:1–5 |
| Historical Prologue | 1:6–4:49 |
| General Stipulations | 5:1–11:32 |
| Specific Stipulations | 12:1–26:19 |
| Blessings and Curses | 27:1–28:68 |
| Document Clause | 31:9–29 |
| Witnesses | 32:1–47 |
Deut. 1:1 In the Hebrew Bible, the name for the book of Deuteronomy is taken from the opening phrase, These are the words. Most of Deuteronomy, through ch. 30, is the spoken words of Moses. Moses has been Israel’s leader since he was called by God (Exodus 3). Deuteronomy is Moses’ final speech before his death. beyond the Jordan. That is, east of the Jordan River, on the north end of the Dead Sea. Since leaving Egypt and crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14–15), Israel has been in the wilderness for 40 years. Arabah. The low Jordan Valley and area surrounding the Dead Sea.
Deut. 1:2 Horeb is the name Deuteronomy uses for Mount Sinai (except at 33:2). This is where Israel received the commandments (Ex. 19:1–Num. 10:12). Kadesh-barnea. A town on the southern border of the Promised Land where Israel camped (Num. 13:26).
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Deut. 1:2–4 These verses emphasize that it was only an eleven days’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, and yet it had taken the Israelites 40 years to get there (fortieth year). The long delay was God’s punishment for Israel’s initial failure to trust him to bring them into the land (Num. 14:26–35). according to all that the LORD had given him. Deuteronomy rarely distinguishes between God’s words and Moses’ words. defeated Sihon . . . and Og. See Num. 21:21–35.
Deut. 1:1–5 Prologue. Beginning with this prologue, there are a number of similarities between the structure of Deuteronomy and ancient treaty documents (see chart).
Deut. 1:5 Moab is east of the Jordan River. Israel had not fought against Moab on the way to the Promised Land. This law refers to the entire law given to Israel at Sinai (Ex. 19:1–Num. 10:12). Moses’ task is not simply to repeat that law but to explain it.
Ancient Treaty Structures and Deuteronomy
| Ancient Treaty Structure | Deuteronomy |
|---|---|
| Preamble | 1:1–5 |
| Historical Prologue | 1:6–4:49 |
| General Stipulations | 5:1–11:32 |
| Specific Stipulations | 12:1–26:19 |
| Blessings and Curses | 27:1–28:68 |
| Document Clause | 31:9–29 |
| Witnesses | 32:1–47 |
Deut. 1:6 Deuteronomy typically names God as the LORD our (or your) God. “LORD” is Yahweh, the personal and covenantal name for God revealed to Moses (Ex. 3:13–15; see note on Gen. 2:4).
Deut. 1:7 Turn and take your journey. Israel began their journey from Sinai in Num. 10:11. At this time in history, the terms Amorites and Canaanites essentially referred to the same people, the occupants of Canaan.
Fact: The Arabah
The Arabah (1:7) refers to the rugged and extremely dry region surrounding and south of the Dead Sea. The Israelites’ travels took them through this area.
Deut. 1:6–8 Moses’ first sermon begins by focusing on the land.
Deut. 1:8 See. From the plains of Moab, Israel can now survey the land before it. The promise of land was made first to Abraham (Gen. 12:7; 15:18–21), repeated to Isaac (Gen. 26:4), and then to Jacob (Gen. 28:13; 35:12), including land for their offspring after them.
Deut. 1:10 The people should believe God’s promise to bring them into the land of Canaan, because he has already fulfilled his promise that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven (see Gen. 15:5).
Deut. 1:13 The people had nominated the judges and Moses confirmed them. Exodus 18:25 says simply that Moses chose them.
Deut. 1:16–17 alien. Aliens were non-Israelites who resided in the land and accepted Israelite rule and law. They did not own land and so were vulnerable to oppression.
Deut. 1:20–21 And I said to you. Almost all of those who were adults when they came out of Egypt had died by this time because of their earlier refusal to enter the land (see Num. 14:26–35). Yet when Moses describes those earlier failures, he addresses his current audience as “you,” as if they themselves were responsible for those failures. The current generation assumes responsibility for their parents’ sin. Do not fear. God alone is to be feared (Deut. 10:12; 13:4).
Deut. 1:23–25 twelve men. See Num. 13:4–16. The Valley of Eshcol is close to Hebron and is still renowned for its fruit.
Deut. 1:28 Anakim were reputed to be giants (Num. 13:33; compare Deut. 9:2).
Deut. 1:29–31 before your eyes . . . you have seen. Moses addresses his audience as though they were there with the previous generation (see note on vv. 20–21). carried you, as a man carries his son. The image is tender and loving, disproving the false claim of v. 27.
Deut. 1:32–33 you did not believe. Their rebellion (v. 26) was a result of their unbelief. in fire by night and in the cloud by day. See Ex. 13:21.
Deut. 1:36 Caleb was one of the 12 spies (Num. 13:30). He encouraged the people to enter the land. wholly followed. See Num. 14:24.
Deut. 1:37–38 Even with me. Moses’ failure occurred when he disobeyed the Lord’s instructions at Meribah (see Num. 20:2–13 and note). on your account. Moses says that his own sin was provoked by Israel. See also Deut. 3:26; 4:21; 32:51. Joshua the son of Nun was Moses’ assistant (Ex. 24:13) and one of the 12 spies (Num. 13:8). With Caleb, he encouraged the people to enter the land (Num. 14:6–9). Joshua became Israel’s leader after Moses (Num. 27:18–23; Deut. 31:3).
Deut. 1:39 Who today have no knowledge of good or evil probably refers to young children not old enough to know right and wrong. They would not have been part of the earlier rebellion.
Deut. 1:42–44 If God did not fight for Israel, defeat was certain (compare v. 30). chased you as bees do. Compare Ex. 23:28. Instead of fighting for Israel, God fought against it.
Deut. 2:2–4 the LORD said to me. This expression highlights Moses’ role as God’s official spokesman. long enough. See also 1:6. This formally announces the end of the 40-year wilderness wandering. your brothers. The nation of Edom descended from Jacob’s twin brother, Esau (Gen. 25:30; 32:3; 36:1). Deuteronomy refers to Edom as Seir, Mount Seir, or Esau, perhaps to emphasize the blood relationship.
Deut. 2:5 as a possession. This expression also occurs in vv. 9, 19 with respect to Moab and Ammon (and in v. 12 with respect to Israel’s own territory). Apparently God forbids Israel to take land from these nations because they are related to Israel (the Edomites through Esau; the Moabites and Ammonites through Lot).
Deut. 2:6–7 Israel is not to be indebted to anyone other than God.
Deut. 2:9 Moab, like Ammon (v. 19), was descended from Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen. 19:36–37).
Deut. 2:10–12 The people whom God had removed to give Moab its land included the very people Israel now feared (see 1:28). Israel should trust God instead of fearing these people. Rephaim, like Anakim, were so tall that the people of Israel thought of them as “giants” (see 2:20–21; 3:11, 13). Edom’s success is a model to encourage Israel. The land of their possession may refer only to the Transjordanian land Israel already possessed (2:24–3:17). Horites. See Gen. 14:6; 36:20–30.
Deut. 2:13–15 The brook Zered was actually a “wadi,” which means it usually flowed only after rain. It was the border between Edom and Moab. thirty-eight years. The adults who earlier refused to enter Canaan have now all died in the wilderness, just as God had said they would (see Num. 14:22–23, 35).
Deut. 2:1–23 Moses recalls a time near the end of the 40-year wilderness period when Israel peacefully passed through three nations distantly related to it (see Num. 20:14–21:20).
Deut. 2:24–25 The wadi Arnon (see note on vv. 13–15) flowed into the Dead Sea and marked the border between Moab to the south and Amorite territory and Ammon to the north. Sihon the Amorite. See Num. 21:21–30. According to Gen. 15:16, the land would be given to Israel when the wickedness of the Amorites was complete, and now that time has come. The defeat of various nations represents God’s punishment for their sin (Deut. 18:12; see note on Josh. 6:17–18).
Deut. 2:26 Heshbon was a fertile land north of Moab and Ammon, east of the Jordan River. The offer of words of peace does not seem to match the instruction to fight in v. 24.
Deut. 2:30 God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate just as with Pharaoh during the plagues (Ex. 9:12; 10:1–2; etc.). On hardening, see note on Ex. 4:21.
Deut. 2:32 Jahaz is mentioned in Josh. 13:18 and 21:36–37.
Deut. 2:34–35 devoted to destruction. Since God is the victor, the spoils of battle belong to him. God orders Sihon’s destruction (see notes on Lev. 27:28–29; Deut. 20:16–18). Destroying the city is an act of devotion to God.
Deut. 3:1 Bashan is the area northeast of the Sea of Galilee. Edrei was a town on its southern border.
Deut. 3:5–7 In remembering these victories, Moses tries to persuade Israel to cross the Jordan, trusting in God’s power. devoted them to destruction. See note on 2:34–35.
Deut. 3:8–10 Mount Hermon (9,232 feet/2,814 m) is a snowcapped mountain at the northern border of Israel.
Deut. 3:1–11 This section recounts Israel’s second Transjordanian victory (see Num. 21:31–35). Like Sihon, Og was an Amorite (Deut. 3:8).
Deut. 3:11 Rephaim. See note on 2:10–12. Rabbah, capital of Ammon (2 Sam. 11:1; Amos 1:13–14), is modern-day Amman, Jordan. The “giant” Rephaim have been killed, so Israel should no longer fear them (see Deut. 1:28).
Deut. 3:15 Machir was the son of Manasseh (Gen. 50:23). Here it refers to his descendants (see also Josh. 17:1).
Deut. 3:17 Chinnereth is another name for the Sea of Galilee. Pisgah is the peak of Mount Nebo, overlooking Jericho and the north end of the Dead Sea. It is the place where Moses will die (v. 27; 34:1–4).
Deut. 3:18 men of valor. A military term, meaning soldiers.
Deut. 3:20 The word rest here conveys the idea of peace after warfare, but it also describes the well-being of God’s people, living in God’s chosen place, under his rule.
Fact: The Jordan River
The Jordan River begins in the foothills of Mount Hermon and empties into the Dead Sea. The Jordan is more than 200 miles (322 km) long—the longest river in Palestine.
Deut. 3:18–22 Two and a half tribes already possess their land east of the Jordan, but they are commanded to join the remaining tribes to conquer the land west of the Jordan. Only then can they return to inhabit their Transjordanian land. The wives and children of all the tribes are to stay in Transjordan and await the completed conquest.
Deut. 3:24 O Lord God is a standard form for beginning a prayer (compare 9:26).
Deut. 3:26–28 because of you. See note on 1:37–38. Pisgah. See 3:17 and note.
Deut. 3:29 Beth-peor. See “Baal of Peor” (Num. 25:1–5).
S4:041 Deuteronomy 1-3
Listen NowDive Deeper | Deuteronomy 1-3
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Pentateuch, or the Torah, and means "repetition of the law" in Hebrew. The book takes place in the territory of Moab where Moses delivers this message to a new generation of Israelites who are set to enter the Promised Land. These younger Israelites did not experience the parting of the Red Sea or the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. Accordingly, Moses reminds them of their significant past and encourages them to live the way God has called them to live in the land they will enter shortly.
As you read Deuteronomy 1-3, you may notice that Moses is speaking in the past tense, and you may recognize some of the instances that he is referencing. This is because Moses is reminding this new generation of Israelites of God's past faithfulness. Moses emphasizes that God has been faithful in His covenant promises to Israel despite their rebellion and is calling the Israelites to faithfulness in their covenant with God. In the midst of all the funky names of people and places in Scripture, I often find myself asking, "Does this even matter to me today?" Then, I skim through them. But it is important to read with a big-picture view of God's faithfulness to His people, Israel's disobedience toward God, and the pointing to Jesus.
While Moses is the key player here, he is ultimately being used by God to pave the way for the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ. God's historic run of faithfulness does not end once His people enter the Promised Land, but continues through the rest of Deuteronomy, the Old Testament, to the birth of the Messiah, and all the way up to today. God wants the Israelites to know that He will never leave them or forget them—an encouragement to believers today, because the character of Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
This month's memory verse
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
– Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Discussion Questions
1. What are some examples in which you've seen God's faithfulness in your life over the past week, month, or year?
2. Moses reminds the Israelites of their past rebellion and disobedience. How do these reminders serve as a caution for the new generation about maintaining faithfulness to God? In what ways can we apply this lesson to our own lives to avoid similar pitfalls?
3. How does recognizing Jesus as the Greater Moses affect how we approach studying the Old Testament and understanding its relevance to our lives today?
4. Sometimes it is easy to see God's faithfulness in the past, but difficult to understand how He is working for our good today. In what areas of your life do you need to remind yourself of the truth that God is always faithful?