FROM SINAI TO KADESH BARNEA

Passage: Deuteronomy 1:1-18

Key verse: 8

NIV

The Command to Leave Horeb

1 These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan(A)—that is, in the Arabah(B)—opposite Suph, between Paran(C) and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab. 2 (It takes eleven days to go from Horeb(D) to Kadesh Barnea(E) by the Mount Seir(F) road.)(G)

3 In the fortieth year,(H) on the first day of the eleventh month,(I) Moses proclaimed(J) to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded him concerning them. 4 This was after he had defeated Sihon(K) king of the Amorites,(L) who reigned in Heshbon,(M) and at Edrei had defeated Og(N) king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.(O)

5 East of the Jordan in the territory of Moab,(P) Moses began to expound this law, saying:

6 The Lord our God said to us(Q) at Horeb,(R) “You have stayed long enough(S) at this mountain. 7 Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites;(T) go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah,(U) in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev(V) and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites(W) and to Lebanon,(X) as far as the great river, the Euphrates.(Y) 8 See, I have given you this land(Z).(AA) Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore(AB) he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”

The Appointment of Leaders

9 At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden(AC) for me to carry alone.(AD) 10 The Lord your God has increased(AE) your numbers(AF) so that today you are as numerous(AG) as the stars in the sky.(AH) 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase(AI) you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!(AJ) 12 But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself?(AK) 13 Choose some wise, understanding and respected men(AL) 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(AM) the leading men of your tribes,(AN) wise and respected men,(AO) and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders(AP) of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.(AQ) 16 And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge(AR) fairly,(AS) whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you.(AT) 17 Do not show partiality(AU) in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone,(AV) for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”(AW) 18 And at that time I told you everything you were to do.(AX)

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ESV

The Command to Leave Horeb

1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in (A)the Arabah opposite (B)Suph, between (C)Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2 It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to (D)Kadesh-barnea. 3 (E)In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment to them, 4 after (F)he had defeated Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and (G)Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and in (H)Edrei. 5 Beyond the Jordan, (I)in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this law, saying, 6 “The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, (J)‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Turn and take your journey, and go to (K)the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in (L)the Arabah, (M)in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negeb and (N)by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, (O)to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’

Leaders Appointed

9 “At that time (P)I said to you, ‘I am not able to bear you by myself. 10 The Lord your God has multiplied you, and behold, (Q)you are today as numerous as the stars of heaven. 11 (R)May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, (S)as he has promised you! 12 (T)How can I bear by myself the weight and burden of you and your strife? 13 (U)Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ 14 And you answered me, ‘The thing that you have spoken is good for us to do.’ 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, (V)and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, ‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and (W)judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him. 17 (X)You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for (Y)the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall (Z)bring to me, and I will hear it.’ 18 And I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY

Deuteronomy - Remember What God Has Done and Said

(KeyVerse= 8:2)

Deuteronomy is the 5th book of Moses. It provides the theological undergirding of the Old Testament. Its name means 'a repetition or second giving of the law.' Moses and the people were gathered on the border of Canaan in the plains of Moab, 4

years after they had left Egypt. When they were slaves in Egypt, God had promised to give them the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. But 4

years before, when they had tried to cross over into Canaan at Kadesh Barnea, they had failed because of their unbelief and disobedience. Now, the 4

years of training was over; one generation of fighting men had died in the desert; it was the time to cross the Jordan and take the land. Already they had tasted victory in battle by defeating the Transjordan kings, but the great task lay ahead of them. Moses, their shepherd, would not go with them; it was the time for him to transfer the leadership to Joshua.

Moses spoke to them from his heart. His key word was 'remember.' He wanted them to learn from their past failures; he wanted them to remember the power and love and faithfulness of God. The book may be divided as follows:

1-4 (1st) Lessons from history--remember and live

5-11 (2nd) Remember the Covenant and the Law

(Ten Commandments repeated)

12-26 (3rd) Laws for Life in Canaan

27-3

(4th) Choose Life (Blessings and Curses)

31-33 (5th) Final Words and Song of Moses

34 Epilogue

Moses gave many instructions, but his main message is summed up in 6:5: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.'

1. At the border of the Promised Land (1-5)

It takes only 11 days to go from Mt. Sinai to Kadesh, but, because of their disobedience, the Israelites had received forty years of desert training. Now they were at the back door of Canaan--east of the Jordan River-ready to enter the Promised Land. Under Moses' leadership they had defeated the Amorite kings who controlled the east bank. Now, Moses gave them a history lesson to remind them of God's promises. They must not repeat their past failure. They must go in and take possession.

2. Go in and take possession of the land (6-8)

They had remained at Mt. Sinai for a year while they received the law and built the sanctuary. Then, God commanded them to break camp and advance. He had promised them the land of Canaan. All they had to do was to go in and take possession of it.

3. The appointment of leaders (9-18)

Moses appointed leaders to help him. These men were to act as impartial judges, for judgment belongs to God. Leaders must fear God, not men.

Prayer: Lord, help me to claim your promises and enter the new year with obedient faith.

One Word: Go in and take possession