Read Deuteronomy 1 -- 2
In Today's Reading:Moses reminds the new generation of the 38 years of failure by their parents. Will we learn what we should from their history? These things were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted (1 Corinthians 10:6).
Verse for Today:
It is a good land. . . . notwithstanding you would not go up, but rebelled against the Commandment of the Lord your God: and you murmured in your tents and said, because the Lord hated us, He has brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us (Deuteronomy 1:25-27).
Highlights:
Reviews Israel's past 40 years by Moses in Moab; command to leave Horeb (Mount Sinai) and journey toward the Promised Land; appointment of tribal leaders; refusal to enter the Promised Land because of lack of faith resulted in 38 years of desert wanderings; defeat of Sihon, King of Hershbon.
Despite their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the older generation sinned against God by not believing that He would give them victory over the Canaanites. Moses had urged them: Dread not, neither be afraid. . . . The Lord . . . goes before you and shall fight for you, according to all that He did for you in Egypt . . . (Deuteronomy 1:29-30).
The generation of adult Israelites who had left Egypt did not recognize that the hardships of the wilderness journey were designed by God to develop their faith in Him and in His Word. They failed to accomplish the will of God and wasted their lives wandering in the wilderness until they all died.
Moses reminded this second generation how their parents had blamed God for their failures and said: There are (only) eleven days' journey from Horeb (Mount Sinai) . . . to Kadesh-barnea (1:2). The distance between the Mount generally assumed to be Mount Sinai and Kadesh is about 165 miles, a journey on foot of about 11 days. Kadesh-Barnea was an oasis in the Negev desert. It was 50 miles southwest of Beersheba where Abraham once lived. Moses and this new generation of Israelites were now camped east of the Jordan River in the Land of Moab, just outside the Promised Land.
They would soon cross the Jordan River and face the same walled cities, powerful Canaanites, and giants that their parents had feared and refused to face.
Every Christian encounters "giant" problems designed by Satan to defeat us such as lust, covetousness, jealousy, pride, fear, and numerous others. We too have a choice, either to be like the majority of Israelites who found fault with everything and accomplished nothing, or choose to believe the Word of God and be like Caleb and Joshua and accomplish what He would have us to be and do. Far better to try and fail than fail to try.
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God (2 Corinthians 3:5).
A Thought from Psalms: The mercy of the LORD is . . . to those that remember His Commandments to do them (103:17-18).
Christ Portrayed:
By Moses, who spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the Lord had commanded him (Deuteronomy 1:3). Jesus very faithfully told others everything God told Him to say (John 8:28).
Word Studies:
1:12 bear your cumbrance = weariness that results from your continual complaints and strife; 1:17 respect persons = show partiality; cause = case; dispute; 1:19 wilderness = desert; 1:42 smitten = defeated; 2:9 Distress not = Do not create a problem; 2:14 were wasted out = had died; host = men of war of that generation.NOTE: Definitions may not agree with present-day usage as given in your dictionary; we attempt to explain the thought expressed in the original language.
Prayer Needs:
Government Official: Sen. John Breaux (LA) · Pray for one more person to read through the Bible · Country: Tanzania (31 million) in eastern Africa · Major languages: Swahili and English · Churches are expected to help implement Marxist policy · 33% Muslim; 19% Roman Catholic; 19% animist; 15% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Your prayers should be lifted up with confidence in God (Psalms 56:9).NOTE: We are listing government officials on their birthdays. Because we publish in advance, our list may not reflect the results of the most recent elections.
Optional Reading: Luke 16
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:11