Deuteronomy 1
by Pastor David Groendyk

As you begin to read the book of Deuteronomy, remember where you are in Israel’s history. The entire nation is encamped on the other side of the Jordan River from their Promised Land. It won’t be long until Israel occupies Canaan, thus fulfilling one of God’s greatest promises from all the way back in Genesis 12. This is a momentous and historic occasion. Of course, Israel doesn’t defeat Canaan in Deuteronomy but in Joshua. So what is the purpose of Deuteronomy? Simply put, it’s a renewal of their covenant with God. The entire book is actually structured as one big covenantal treaty between God and Israel. Without getting too far into the weeds, there are three main sections of this covenant. There is a preamble and prologue (chs. 1–4) which describes all the past history of God’s ruling and redemption of Israel, then there is a long section with all of the various laws and stipulations the people must keep as part of the covenant (chs. 5–26), and finally Moses reiterates the blessings that will be received if they obey and the curses they’ll receive if they disobey (chs. 27–30). The book then closes with a final exhortation from Moses and the plan of succession with Joshua (chs. 31–34).

Why does God renew the covenant with Israel at this point? So that he might remind them that he is the King, that he has saved and redeemed them out of bondage, and that he might inspire in them a zeal to love, worship, and obey him alone. From verse 4 through the end of this chapter (and all the way until the end of chapter 4), Moses is rehearsing all the things that God did for his people in the wilderness. Broadly speaking, Deuteronomy rehearses the events of Numbers 11–14. But rather than just recounting the events, Moses is preaching a sermon. God has brought Israel up to the boundary of the good country for which they’d been waiting for hundreds of years, he’s multiplied them to be more numerous than the stars of heaven, he’s appointed and chosen for them godly and wise leaders to promote justice and righteousness among the people, and he’s defeated many mighty kings. And yet Israel has doubted God and accused him of evil. They were paralyzed with fear and refused to believe in God’s power and goodness when they heard the report from the ten spies. Time and time again, God has proven himself to be the only rightful King, the all-powerful Lord, and he’s demonstrated his goodness to his people in keeping his promises. Therefore, love, worship, and obey him alone.

It is good for us to rehearse our own personal histories and our church history, but only in so far as it inspires us to be more and more faithful covenant members now and going forward. As you read through this covenant in Deuteronomy, remember the great things that God has done for his people, and remember that he continues to be a great God to you. Be challenged and exhorted to keep his commands and not to grumble and complain against him as we are so prone to do. How has God proven himself faithful to you in the past? How are you prone to grumble and complain and distrust him? What from this chapter encourages you to love and trust him more?