May 25, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Time to Move on

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Eternal God, You are a strong tower and a sure defense in times of struggle. To You be praise and glory.

Read Deuteronomy 1:1-18

[1] These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan-that is, in the Arabah-opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab. [2] (It takes eleven days to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road.) [3] In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites all that the LORD had commanded him concerning them. [4] This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, and at Edrei had defeated Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. [5] East of the Jordan in the territory of Moab, Moses began to expound this law, saying: [6] The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. [7] Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. [8] See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the LORD swore he would give to your fathers-to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob-and to their descendants after them.” [9] At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. [10] The LORD your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. [11] May the LORD, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! [12] But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? [13] Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.” [14] You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.” [15] So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you-as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. [16] And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. [17] Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.” [18] And at that time I told you everything you were to do.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“The Christian life is a pilgrimage from earth to heaven. As citizens of heaven, we are under God’s commands” (Warren Wiersbe).

“These are the words” (1). Deuteronomy has many laws, but they are built into exhortations and are inseparably intertwined with history. The Torah (“law,” 5; or “teaching”) Moses expounds includes the whole story of God’s promises and actions and the people’s response, whether trusting or disobedient. The opening verses place the people on a journey, with a reminder that while “eleven days” brought them to the southern edge of the Promised Land they had been journeying for 40 years (2,3). The very first command mentioned in the book is “Break camp and advance” (7). Biblical laws are always in a context of relationship with God and others, lived out in a present that moves from the past into the future.

 

Horeb (used throughout Deuteronomy for Sinai) was highly significant: God had delivered the people from slavery in Egypt and at Horeb spoke to them, making a covenant. However, being delivered and brought into covenant relationship is just the beginning. Being God’s people never means being satisfied with the status quo. There is a Promised Land to possess (8). In Israel’s numbers we see already God’s promised blessing (10; Gen. 15:5), but even that is a foretaste of much more to come (11).

 

The past is brought into the present as Moses says, “The Lord our God said to us at Horeb” (6). They were members of God’s people, so they, and we, are to hear the words as being “to us” now (Deut. 5:1-5). Deuteronomy became the central book in the story from Genesis to 2 Kings, ending in exile, so that each generation heard the words as “to us.” God’s speaking continues today, calling us to move on the journey he has for us. Ephesians 2:8 and 9 cannot be separated from 2:10!

Apply

Are you (or your local church or group) in a situation where “you have stayed long enough” (6)? If so, what does this mean for you?

Closing prayer

Lord, it is not always easy to be a faithful pilgrim for You. Above all else, I want to enjoy Your blessings here on earth but keep my eyes on my heavenly destination.

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