DEUTERONOMY 1
I. An overview of the book of Deuteronomy.
A. This book is the last words of Moses to Israel.
1. Numbers 27:12-17 - God has already told Moses he shall soon die.
2. Ex. 4:10 - Moses told God he couldn't speak well enough to be a leader.
a. God then chose Aaron, which was a source of trouble, to be the one to speak to Israel.
b. God would speak to Moses, then Moses would speak to Aaron, and Aaron would speak to the people.
c. And now Moses speaks eloquently to the people in the Book of Deuteronomy.
d. So he could speak eloquently all the time, he just didn't think he could.
e. Let us all take warning. If God has called us to a particular job, He will give us all the things necessary to do that job well.
B. It is very important that Israel hear these messages preached by Moses.
1. The oldest person in the congregation is 59 years old, except for Joshua and Caleb and Moses.
a. All the Israelites 20 years old and upward died in the wilderness because of failing to believe the promises of God.
b. All the Israelites 19 years and younger were allowed to wander with their parents, seeing them die in the wilderness.
c. The oldest Israelite was 19 years old at the time of the rebellion. 19 + 40 years wandering = 59 years old now.
2. This younger generation has only heard about the rebellion and seen its results in the death of their parents.
a. Moses has lived during the rebellion, being the leader of Israel.
b. The things Moses has seen will show Israel what God thinks of their rebellion.
C. I believe all Israel gathered around their leader, who they knew would soon be dying, just like Aaron and Miriam had died.
1. Moses had lead Israel for 40 years.
2. He was much respected in Israel as a man of God.
3. The people would listen intently to the words of a dying man.
4. When a person is dying, he doesn't waste words, but says exactly what he means.
D. The division of the book of Deuteronomy is:
1. Chapter 1-4 - the introduction to the book. Moses gives the history of Israel, and admonitions to be faithful.
2. Chapter 5-11 - Moses repeats the law and again urges Israel to be faithful.
3. Chapter 12-26 - The code of laws to be observed in Canaan.
4. Chapter 27-30 - Moses final words of blessings upon the obedient and cursings upon the disobedient.
5. Chapter 31-34 - The final words of Moses, his song of praise and death.
These first three chapters cover the entire 40 years of wilderness wandering.
I. Chapter 1:1-8 - This preaching takes place after the 40 years of wandering when Israel is camped. (See Deut. 1:1 for location)
A. This preaching takes place after Israel had defeated Sihon, and Og.
B. This preaching takes place after Moses has distributed the land on the west side of Jordan to the tribe of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh.
C. This is the last thing Moses does before he turns the leadership over to Joshua.
II. Chapter 1:9-18 - Almost the first thing Moses did after Israel came out of Egypt was to get help.
A. It would be impossible for Moses to answer the questions of almost 2,400,000 people.
1. Moses instructed the people to chose wise men to answer their questions. Then Moses would instruct these wise men as to how to serve.
2. He established a chain of command. One man would be over 10, another man over 50 (five 10's), another man over hundreds (two 50's), another man over thousands (ten 100's).
3. Any questions these men couldn't answer would be brought to Moses.
B. This is exactly the same principle followed by the early church when the pastors had to much work to do.
1. Acts 6:1-7 - The pastors instructed the church to chose the deacons.
2. The pastors would instruct the deacons as to what to do.
3. Most deacons today believe their job to is tell the church and pastor what to do, but this is wrong.
C. Moses instructions to the judges.
1. They are to judge righteously, not with respect to persons.
2. They must have faith enough in God to know that judges all people the same.
3. They must believe God will take care of them if they must issue a judgment which is against a famous or rich man.
III. Deut. 1:19-21 - Moses relating the history of Israel 40 years ago at Kadesh-barnea when they should have possessed the land.
IV. Deut. 1:22-45 - Moses relating the rebellion of Israel at Kadesh- barnea.
A. Israel asked Moses to send spies into the land so they would know where to go.
1. This is a good idea. It is not a sin. Sometimes it's good to know where you are going.
2. They sent the 12 spies, 10 giving a bad report and 2 giving a good report.
3. As a result of this report, Israel decided not to trust God.
B. God condemned Israel for their rebellion, and declared all that generation would die in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb.
1. Then Israel decided to obey God.
2. But it is too late. They are defeated at Kadesh.