Lesson Learned • Deuteronomy 1:1-5

Review & Overview

1. The Introduction & Title

Deuteronomy, is known as Moses’ “Upper Desert Discourse,” which consists of a series of farewell messages..

Moses is 120 years old as he addresses the new generation, those who survived the forty years of wilderness wandering, those who are destined to possess the Land of Promise.

Like Leviticus, Deuteronomy contains a lot of legal detail, but its emphasis is on the laymen rather than the priests.

Moses reminds this new generation to learn from the sad example of their parents and obey God.

The Hebrew title of Deuteronomy is Haddebharim, which means “The Words,” taken from the opening phrase in 1:1, “These are the words.”

Speaking of the parting words of Moses to the new generation so that they will endure to all generations.

Deuteronomy has been called “five-fifths of the Law” since it completes the five books of Moses.

The Jewish people have also called it Mishneh Hattorah, “repetition of the Law,”

which is translated in the Septuagint as To Deuteronomion Touto, “This Second Law.”

Deuteronomy, however, is not a second law but an adaptation and expansion of the original law given on Mount Sinai.

The English title comes from the Greek title Deuteronomion, “Second Law.”

Deuteronomy has also been called the “Book of Remembrance.”

Which is a good segway for the theme and purpose of the book.

2. The Theme & Purpose

“Beware lest you forget” is a key theme in Deuteronomy.

Moses emphasizes the danger of forgetfulness because it leads to arrogance and disobedience. They must remember two things:

(1) when they prosper, it is God who has caused it, and

(2) If and when they disobey God, He will discipline them as He did when the previous generation failed to believe Him.

Deuteronomy is a call to obedience as a condition to blessing.

God has always been faithful to His covenant and He now extends it to the new generation.

Deuteronomy is like a renewal contract document that uses the same format as Near Eastern treaties in the time of Moses.

Scholars have found insane parallels between Deuteronomy and other contracts from the ancient Near East, like the Hittite Empire during the second millennium BC.

During these times a powerful king with a powerful kingdom would enter into a relationship with a vassal.

A vassal is a smaller, weaker, kingdom that would be loyal and subordinate to the more powerful kingdom.

The vassal would give allegiance to the suzerain or the stronger kingdom and would often be required to provide tribute, military support, or other services.

In return, the suzerain or the stronger kingdom would offer protection, stability, and certain privileges to the vassal.

Now these relationships would be formalized through a treaty or a contract.

These treaties had the following components:

(1) a preamble (a list of the parties making the treaty; 1:1–5),

(2) a historical prologue (the benevolent dealings of the king in the past; 1:6–4:43),

(3) stipulations (conditions of the covenant; 4:44–26:19),

(4) ratification (blessings and cursings; 27–30), and

(5) continuity (provisions for maintaining the covenant; 31–34).

In modern day, we have something similar. The U.S. has what’s called “bilateral security treaties” with countries like South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.

In these relationships, the U.S. provides military protection, often stationing troops in these countries, and as a result the smaller nations align with U.S. geopolitically.

This is somewhat similar to a suzerain offering protection to a vassal in return for loyalty.

So what we have here is a contract between God and His people.

Israel is a vassal to God, where Israel is required to be loyal and obey God's laws, worship Him alone, and live according to the terms of the covenant or contract.

In return, God promises protection, blessing, and guidance.

APPLICATION: Imagine for a moment that your relationship with God was like a contract—an agreement where both parties had obligations to fulfill.

If you kept your end of the bargain, God would keep His. But if you failed, the deal would be off.

A contract is based on mutual performance, with both parties responsible for upholding their commitments.

APPLICATION: Thankfully, our relationship with God is not a contract. It's a covenant based on PROMISE, and here's the difference:

in a contract, both parties have responsibilities to uphold. But in a covenant of promise, the fulfillment rests entirely on the faithfulness of God.

APPLICATION: Through Jesus Christ, we see that our relationship with God is not dependent on our ability to perform or keep certain rules.

Instead, it is rooted in His unchanging promises. Think of Abraham, God made a covenant with him based not on what Abraham could do but on what God Himself would do.

The same is true for us as followers of Christ.

Galatians 3:18 NLT

18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.

The key point here is that our inheritance, our salvation, is based on the promise of God’s grace, not on our performance under the law.

1 John 2:25 NKJV

25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

There is an emphasis on choice, and the people are urged to choose life rather than death (30:19–20).

Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV

19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

They are told to “hear” (50 times) and

“do,” “keep,” “observe” (177 times) God’s commands out of a heart of “love” (21 times).

3. The Outline

1. Moses’ First Discourse: The History of Israel Ch. 1:1-4:43

Here Moses recounts the history of Israel, especially God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their journey through the wilderness.

2. Moses’ Second Discourse: The Stipulations for Israel Ch. 4:44-26

All the laws and commandments are reiterated and clarified by God to Israel

3. Moses’s Third Discourse: The Future of Israel Ch. 27-34

In this section we have a detailed account of all the the blessings and curses that would follow Israel's obedience or disobedience to the covenant.

4. Current Study’s Overview

1. The Command to Israel: Enter the Promised Land Vs. 1-8

1.1 Vs. 1

So as Moses prepares to address them they are on the East side of the Jordan in Moab…

1.2 Vs. 2

Now here is a sad commentary of failure. A failure of obedience to God.

so from Horeb or Mt. Sinai to Kadesh Barnea, the southern border of the Promised Land is an 11 day journey… its about 150 miles…

Interestingly, the name Kadesh Barnea can be translated to mean something like “holy wandering” or “sacred desert.”

This speaks to me a lot. Holy wandering—what a paradox!

How could their wandering, caused by disobedience and unbelief, be considered holy?

Because listen: Here’s the powerful truth: even in their wandering, God was present.

He didn’t abandon them. He continued to provide for them, guide them, and teach them, even though they were delaying His promises through their actions.

The wilderness was a place of discipline, correction, and growth.

It became holy because God used it to shape and refine His people, preparing them for the promise to come.

APPLICATION: ANd you know i don’t know How many of us are in a season of “holy wandering”?

Maybe we’re not where we thought we would be by now.

Maybe we feel stuck in a desert season—waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled in our lives.

But here’s the encouragement: God can use even this season of wandering for our growth and transformation.

If we let Him, He can make this time holy, setting it apart for His purposes.

But because of their unbelief Heb.3:19, it took them 38 years to get to the Promised Land… Look at Vs. 3…

1.3 Vs. 3

you can’t help but see a sad commentary on the Israelites' journey—a journey that should have taken 11 days, but instead stretched into 38 years of wandering.

This wasn’t because of a lack of knowledge about where they were going. They knew their destination.

It wasn’t because God abandoned them. He was present, leading them with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.

The problem was their unbelief…

Hebrews 3:19 NKJV

19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Think about this for a moment. They were so close to the fulfillment of God’s promise, yet their hearts remained far from Him.

APPLICATION: This teaches us an important truth: proximity to God’s promises does not guarantee their fulfillment in our lives.

We can be so close to where God wants us to be, but without faith and obedience, we remain far from it.

APPLICATION: We might look at the Israelites and shake our heads, wondering how they could be so stubborn. But how often do we find ourselves in the same situation?

We know the right path. We’ve seen God’s faithfulness in our lives.

Yet, we allow fear, doubt, or stubbornness to keep us from stepping into what He has for us.

APPLICATION: The Israelites’ journey through the wilderness is a powerful example for our spiritual lives.

How many of us are wandering when we should be walking in victory?

How many of us are stuck in patterns of sin, complacency, or fear, delaying the good things God has in store for us?

So what’s the takeaway here? I think there are 3:

1. Examine Your Heart: Are you wandering in any area of your life where God is calling you to move forward?

Maybe there’s a relationship that needs healing, a calling you’ve been hesitant to pursue, or a sin you need to lay down.

Don’t let unbelief keep you in the wilderness.

2. Trust in God’s Timing and Direction: The Israelites knew the direction, but their lack of trust in God’s ability to deliver them kept them from moving forward.

Remember, God is both the guide and the provider.

When we trust Him, we can take the next step in faith, even when the path ahead is unclear.

3. Finish the Race: Like Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7…

2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

The Israelites started their race, but their lack of faith kept them from finishing well.

Let’s not just start the journey with God—let’s finish strong, keeping our eyes fixed on Him.

1.4 Vs. 3-4

These 2 kings were defeated in Num.21:… & it is the 11th month of the 40th year…

The 12th & final month of the 40th year will be spent in mourning for Moses, Deut.34:…

1.5 Vs. 5-8

So Moses recites the command of God for Israel…

You’ve been around this mountain long enough… leave Horeb or Mt. Sinai and posses the Land…

APPLICATION: Good word for us: you’ve been going around this same old mountain long enough…

its time to move forward… to move on from where we’re at spiritually… to grow & mature…

APPLICATION: I wonder how often do we find ourselves circling the same spiritual mountains—stuck in the same habits, fears, or struggles?

We stay where it’s comfortable, even if that comfort is in our stagnation.

APPLICATION: But God’s call is clear: It’s time to move on.

You’ve learned your lesson in this season; now it’s time to step into the next stage of life that God has for you.

APPLICATION: Growth and maturity in Christ mean recognizing when it’s time to stop dwelling on the past and start stepping into what’s next.

This doesn’t mean forgetting where we’ve been—it means using the lessons we’ve learned to propel us forward.

APPLICATION: God doesn’t want us stuck in endless cycles; He calls us to greater things.

APPLICATION: So, what is your mountain? What’s keeping you in the same place, spiritually or emotionally?

God is saying it’s time to move forward, to grow, and to mature. Don’t let fear, doubt, or complacency keep you circling the same mountain.

Trust God’s leading, step out in faith, and enter the new season He has prepared for you.

ENDING…