 Previous Chapter |
 Return to Outline |
 Ask Questions |
 Next Chapter |
Chapter 1 begins the farewell speech of Moses. It was near the end of the 40 years of wandering in the Wilderness, about 1235 BC., and they were about ready to enter the Promise Land to engage the Canaanites in a war for possession. They were camped on the plain of Moab, east of the Dead Sea. The sum and substance of this sermon in this chapter is as follows. Moses looks back and relates again all that God had given him in the way of commandments. He rejoices in the increase in their numbers. He reminds the people that it was not his desire to have complete control of the government. Actually, he had directed them to choose wise men, with understanding, to govern and he counseled them in their deliberations, making determinations himself only on the more difficult cases.
Moses reminds them of their lack of faith at Kadesh-Barnea. Here we learn for the first time that it was the people's idea to send out spies into the land of Canaan, not the Lord's. He reminds them that for their lack of faith and disobedience, God made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |