About Jesus Steve Sweetman

About Jesus Steve Sweetman

Chapter 1

ch. 1:1-8 ch. 1:9-18 ch. 1:19-25 ch. 1:26-46

My Commentary On The Book Of Deuteronomy

Introduction

The following commentary is based on the 1983 edition of the New International Bible. The chapter titles in my commentary correspond to the chapter titles in the NIV to make for easier studying.

It is said that Jesus quoted from the book of Deuteronomy more than any other book of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. Deuteronomy is quoted in the New Testament more than 200 times.

Moses wrote this near to the time Israel was to enter the promised land. It took them 40 years, but it should have taken them 11 days.

The book concerns Moses discourse on Israel's exile and wandering in the desert.

The last few chapters are probably written by Joshua since Moses had died.

Jesus said in Mathew 19:8 that Moses wrote Deuteronomy.

I will not comment on every chapter in Deuteronomy, only those chapters that deal with the history of Israel . I also may not comment on every verse of every section because much of the material is a recollection of past events that I have commented on in my commentary on the books of Exodus and Numbers.

The Command To Leave Horeb (ch. 1:1 - 8)

The word "Deuteronomy" is actually taken from the Greek Old Testament, that is, the "Septuagint". It means "two laws, or second law". This book really isn't a second Law of Moses. It's simply a recollection on the part of Moses concerning what has already taken place, and that includes a restating of the Law.

Verse 1 tells us what it is. It is "the words" spoken by Moses to Israel just before they enter the promised land, which he will not have the luxury to do, since God banned him from entering. You might remember the time God told him to speak to the rock so water would come out for Israel to drink. Instead of speaking to the rock, he hit the rock out of frustration. For that, God said that he would not enter the promised land with the rest of Israel. You might think that is extreme on God's part, and I agree. I think there is more to Moses not entering the promised land than just hitting the rock. I think that was God's plan all along. I think the whole story of Moses and Israel is prophetic of a New Testament reality. The New Testament makes it clear that salvation does not come by any law, and that includes the Law of Moses. Salvation comes through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is also seen in Joshua, who is prophetic of Jesus. Moses represented the Law, and the Law, saves no one. Joshua represents Jesus, who saves. Thus Joshua goes in and Moses stays out.

Again, note the word "words" in verse 1. This is the same Hebrew word that the Septuagint translates as "Deuteronomy". Really, this book might be simply called, "the word of Moses".

We all know that Israel stayed, or really, was exiled by God, in the desert for 40 years. Verse 2 tells us how long the trip would have normally taken. It would have taken just 11 days according to Moses. That sure was some exile.

Verse 3 tells us that Moses was speaking these words to Israel as a reminder. Over and over again God had told the Israeli leaders to remind Israel of their past so they could learn. This was to be one last learning session by Moses before he died.

Verse 4 mentions a couple of nations thatIsrael had already defeated by this time, before they got to the promised land of Canaan. In all, Israel won 3 battles prior to entering Canaan, and 7 more once they crossed the Jordan River into the promised land.

Moses mentions to Israel in verses 5 through 8 how God told them back at Mount Horeb that they were to leave and head to the promised land. Mount Horeb is where Israel settled for a short time after escaping from Egypt. It was their that God spoke to Moses and gave him the Law.

Note in this section that the promise of land was reconfirmed by God through Moses. God promised Abraham land. He confirmed this promise to Abraham's son Isaac, to his grandson Jacob, to Moses, and to many others all the way through the Old Testament. There is no evidence in the Bible that God has ever withdrawn this promise, and that includes what Paul says in Galatians 3. Many people totally misunderstand and misrepresent what Paul is saying in Galatians 3. Paul is only speaking of one aspect to the Abrahamic Covenant in Galatians 3, and that is the promises made to Abraham "seed", who Paul says is Jesus. Paul does not comment on the other two recipients of the Abrahamic Covenant in Galatians 3, who are Abraham himself and his descendents. He does that elsewhere.

The Appointment Of Leaders (ch.1:9 -18)

In this section Moses reminds Israel of the first hint of nation building. Moses used to be the judge of people when they had disputes, but as the population of Israel grew, he needed help. He had wise men from each tribe appointed as councilors or judges to help in these disputes.

Note in verse 10 that the text says that Israel's numbers were as the stars of the sky. This is obviously symbolic. During their time in the desert, Israel grew in population to over 2 million people, and for them in that day, that seemed as many as the number of stars in the sky.

Some people might think that the part of the Abrahamic Covenant that stated Israel would be as many as the stars in the sky had been fulfilled. Since it was fulfilled, it would have no more prophetic significance. I don't see it that way. I look at all the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant and see them as a package. The covenant is not fulfilled until all aspects are fulfilled, and they have yet to be all fulfilled.

Spies Sent Out (ch. 1:19 - 25)

Moses continues to tell the story of Israel's adventures. Note in verse 20 he speaks of the land "the Lord God would give us'. He uses the word "us" even though he knows that he will not enter the promised land. Moses is associating himself with Israel, as we should in the church. This was not always the case with Moses. When Israel rebelled against God, he often thought in terms of being God's people, not his. But now, Moses is feeling very reflective, and probably nostalgic. He probably has many and varied feelings.

In verse 21 Moses departs from the association I just mentioned. He tells Israel to go and possess the land, that is, "you" go and possess the land the Lord has given. Again, he knows he will not enter the land.

Note also the words "possess the land the Lord has given". There is a real Biblical truth here. God promises us things, but we must go out and possess them, and that often means work is involved. God doesn't necessarily just drop his promises into our laps, although He may at times. There is much work to be done in the Kingdom of God . We must go and possess the promises of God.

Moses also says in verse 21 that Israel should not be afraid or discouraged. He had good reason for this, because possessing God's promises, especially what they'd possess, isn't easy. For Israel there would be seven battles to be fought in the process of possession. Again, the same with Christians today. There are battles to be fought in the process of possessing God's promises.

The rest of this section simply states the process of twelve spies sent out to survey the land. Moses states that they came back with a good report. Moses does not give all the details about that in this section because only two out of the twelve had a good report.

Rebellion Against The Lord (ch. 1:26 - 46)

What Moses failed to mention in the last section he speaks now. He explains that Israel complained and said the Lord brought them out of Egypt only to die at the hands of their enemies. This all boils down to a lack of trust in the Lord God on the behalf of Israel. If God tells us to possess something, He'd surely help us possess it. If we don't attempt to possess what God has promised, our lack of acting shows we do not trust God to help us do His will. God will not break a promise. The promise is no good when we fail to receive it, and in many cases, work for it.

In verses 29 to 31 Moses said that Israel should not fear. They should trust God because He will go before them. Note that God would go before Israel , not behind Israel. I suggest that same would be true for us. Whatever kind of battles we face while moving forward in the Kingdom of od, we can be assured that the Lord is before us, leading the way. He's not behind us. That does not mean things are easy. It simply means the Jesus is ahead of us and keeping His eyes open on our behalf.

In verse 31 Moses specifically states that their rebellion to obey God was a matter of no trust in God. Trust is the basis of all relationships, and that includes our relationship with God. If there is no trust, there is no real relationship.

In verses 31 to 36 Moses recalls that God said that the complainers would not enter the promised land. When we complain, God views our complaining as complaining against Him, and He is not pleased with that. Moses actually says that God is angry at us when we complain. This is something we all should take serious note of.

In verse 37 Moses restates that he would not enter the promised land. He actually blames Israel for that. God told Moses to speak to a rock so water would come out of it in order for Israel to have water. Israel was complaining that they had no water, and this would be God's provision for them. Moses did not speak to the rock, but he was very upset with Israel and he hit it instead. Right after that, God told Moses he would not enter the promised land. I've said this before, but I do believe there is more to the story than Moses just hitting the rock. Moses represents the Law all the way through the Bible. His successor Joshua represents Jesus all the way through the Bible. The New Testament is clear that we cannot enter salvation, cannot receive the promise of God, by works of law. Salvation only comes through Jesus. I believe, for this reason, Moses could not enter the promised land. I don't think it was ever God's will that Moses would enter the land.

In verse 41 Moses recalls the time when Israel had a momentary laps into repentance and after saying no to entering the land, they changed their minds and said they would. The only problem was that once they said "no" to God, God said "no" to them entering the land. So, when they did decide to enter the land, Moses told them not to because God would not be with them.

Sometimes we can say "no" to God one too many times and then He takes that which He wanted for us, or, wanted us to do, away from us. This was the case back then, and I believe it still is the case now in the church.

In verse 43 Moses then recalls Israel's disobedience to him. They went up and tried to enter the land anyway. Even when they were attempting to do God's will, they were acting in rebellion, and "arrogance", as Moses says here. Arrogance is one aspect of rebellion. Like Israel at this point in her history, I think much of the church is similar. We're not really doing what God really wants us to do. We are doing our own thing in the name of Jesus, but Jesus isn't with us. It's all a matter of arrogance and a lack of trust in Jesus.

In the last couple of verses to this chapter Moses reminds them that after Israel was defeated, they came back and wept before the Lord, but the Lord turned His back on them and turned "a deaf ear to them", as Moses put it. God knows our hearts. He knows if we are really repenting or not. He knows if our tears are a product of Godly sorrow, or if they are simply a product of our own failure. Being sorry we failed, is not the same as repenting.

This portion of Scripture clearly supports the idea that God will turn his back on His people if they continue to disobey, even if they have tears running down their cheeks. Some people may not want to hear that, but it is true.

Next Section - Chapter 2

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