Deuteronomy 1:1a, 2-3 NRSVUE
These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan—in the wilderness…(By the way of Mount Seir it takes eleven days to reach Kadesh-barnea from Horeb.) In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the Israelites just as the LORD had commanded him to speak to them.
1 Corinthians 10:11, 13 NRSVUE
These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come…
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
“Disobedience never pays. God will forgive us when we repent, but the consequences of sin make it sheer folly to disobey. Disobedience slows down our progress!” (Ajith Fernando, Preaching the Word: Deuteronomy—Loving Obedience to a Loving God)
It should have just taken a matter of days, not almost 40 years, to cross into the promised land, but read Deuteronomy 1 and we can see that God’s people did not listen to him. Instead, they disobeyed him – when they were supposed to go, they refused, and when they were told to stay, they went. Their disobedience slowed down their progress into the promised land, but God made sure that the next generation would be able to grow up under his protection to enter it.
Deuteronomy was written to guide and warn God’s people of all ages, including us, of the dangers of disobeying God’s ways. In this life we will face temptations of all kinds and difficult circumstances, but God’s faithfulness and love for us are greater than it all. His love for us enables us to not live in fear and rebellion, and his forgiveness and kindness welcome us to trust him again and again.
Prayer: Father, thank you that in your love, you give us your Word as a guide and warning. We would be lost without you. Thank you for protecting and watching over us, and help us today to listen and obey your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
In worship and thanksgiving, let’s sing “Yes Again” from Darlene Zschech and Mitch Wong (click here).
– JLiu
