Deuteronomy Bible Study: Introduction and Chapter 1

Deuteronomy: Lessons to remember as you walk to the Promised Land

INTRODUCTION:

When I first started this study of Deuteronomy just a few short weeks ago, the corona virus was far away in China and my world was very normal. I had been working my way through the Pentateuch, and had finally arrived at the last book. You would think that a book written so long ago, and written for the nation of Israel would have little application to us in our modern world, but you would be wrong. You see, it is really a book about God’s character, who He is, how He loves, what He expects, and who we can be in light of Him. The people have changed and the specific details have changed, but the underlying realities have not. God is still God. We are still His children. He is still leading us to a Promised Land. There are still things for us to remember along the way. Won’t you join me on this journey through a book that has more to tell us than we thought? Won’t you join me in remembering the things we’ve forgotten?


BACKGROUND:

The book of Deuteronomy is the last book in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. These are a set of history books, if you will, mostly written by Moses, and probably finished by Joshua after Moses’ death. The Pentateuch recounts the history of Israel from the beginning of time until their end of the 40 years in the desert.

Deuteronomy begins on the first day of the eleventh month of the 40th year in the desert. It is the speech Moses gave to the Israelites before they crossed the Jordan and walked into the Promised Land. They had learned some things in the desert and Moses wanted to remind them of all the lessons. His focus was on the people of Israel and how they should walk, but in remembering all the things that happened, Moses reveals the true character of God. It is a character that hasn’t changed. God is still who He says He is.

Throughout the book, you will notice some repeated word patterns: remember, fear, observe, teach, be blessed. You might want to mark these ideas in your Bible when you see them. With that in mind, let’s lace up our hiking shoes and start walking.

CHAPTER 1:

Let’s set the stage. The Israelites have just fought the kings from Numbers 21. They are the new owners of the land they just won. Jubilant in their victory, they are perched on the edge of the Jordan River. They have assembled together to listen to Moses’ farewell speech, for he will not be going into the Promised Land with them. Imagine: Everyone gathered in a great crowd. The tents are in the background ready to be packed up. Sheep bleating in the distance. Kids crying. Wind whistling through the sand. Moses standing at the head of it all, arms up, voice loud and filled with nostalgia and warnings and hope. That’s where we’ll start.


Please read Deuteronomy chapter 1.



Why did Moses remind them of this misadventure?


What excuses did the Israelites give for not going into the Promised Land?

How does this show a lack of faith?


Did you notice the Israelite’s response when God told them they couldn’t go into the Promised Land? They mourned and said, “We have sinned against the LORD; we will indeed go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us” (v. 41). It was only when they’d lost the opportunity that they wanted to go, which indicates they didn’t really want to follow the LORD, they just wanted what He had to offer.


This is a common position of the heart. It is the Prosperity Gospel of the Old Testament, a trap easily sprung. We all want salvation, forgiveness, good things on earth, peace, protection, an ally when things are tough, and on and on. But wanting only these things and not our Lord and Savior reveals our self-centered focus. It is much more difficult to put those things aside and just focus on the LORD. Our emotions get in the way.

One emotion that pops up over and over again and keeps the Israelites from following the LORD is FEAR. They want all these good things, but not enough to die for them, not enough to risk it all. FEAR keeps them down. FEAR is more important than the LORD’s command.

I am guilty of this very thing. My regular routine is comfortable. Doing something new is scary. FEAR keeps me in my regular routine, even when the LORD points me in a new direction outside of my comfort zone. FEAR keeps me from sharing my writing, even when the LORD encourages me and makes it clear that is His will for me. FEAR kept me from finding a church home for a long time, even though I know that being connected to a body of believers is not optional. FEAR barks at me to stay in my place.


So the question is: If God has told me to do something, even placed it on my heart, then why do I let FEAR keep me from it?
The answer: Because like the Israelites, I am my own god. But I know I am called to do more, to be more. I know the LORD is beckoning me out of my comfort zone into some place He has for me. I don't exactly know where that is yet, but I do know that it will glorify my Lord for me to follow Him there. It will glorify the LORD for you to follow Him as well.


What emotion holds you back?

What do you feel the Lord has called you to do that you haven’t moved on yet?

Repent and ask the LORD to help you. He will.


CHARACTER OF GOD: He is Faithful to His Word.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Identify the thing that is holding you back from following the LORD. Pray and repent for not following His lead. Ask for His help to grow your trust in Him. God is faithful. He will do it.