Deuteronomy 1:9-18 • Councel From Above

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.

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.

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.

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

That brings us to Vs. 9 and our portion of today’s scripture. Where we will continue to hear from Moses as he give his first message his first discourse. Read…

The Title of Today’s Message is: Counsel From Above because…

As we saw in our quick reading of todays scripture we encounter a truth that’s foundational to our walk with Christ, which is this: leadership matters.

Whether we realize it or not, each of us is called to lead in some capacity—be it in our families, workplaces, sports, or within the church.

But what does it mean to lead well? Today’s study will give us important insights into the heart of godly leadership.

Moses recounts a pivotal moment in Israel’s journey where the sheer size of the nation required the delegation of leadership.

But this wasn’t just about practicality—it was about character and righteousness.

Today, we’re going to learn how true leadership involves both a righteous character and righteous judgment, grounded in the wisdom of God’s Word.

If you are taking notes we want to look at two things

1. Leadership Involves Righteous Character Vs. 9-15

This was the advice of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law back in Ex.18…

70 elders picked in Ex.18:

Because the Israelites were too numerous for Moses handle all the problems alone… so he raised up men who were wise, knowledgeable and had understanding to help…

APPLICATION: Good advice for us: while its true, Prov.11:14 there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors…

we need to make sure the people we look up to their counsel is coming from the Word of God…

Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

APPLICATION: And here is a question for us: Are we seeking to lead or follow leaders whose counsel is grounded in the Word of God?

As a christians, we are called to discern wisely whom we allow to influence our lives and decisions.

When we look up to people we need to prioritize: character over charisma, wisdom over knowledge, and divine guidance over human strategy.

APPLICATION: In your personal life, whether you are a leader in your family, workplace, or church, consider this: Are you a person who gives advice to others rooted in Scripture?

Or maybe you are a person seeking advice and guidance, are you turning to those who genuinely reflect the wisdom of God?

Call to Action: Today, take time to evaluate the voices that influence your decisions.

Are they grounded in the Word of God? If not, seek out those who reflect the qualities see here men and women of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, who fear the Lord and walk in His ways.

And as you do, you will not only be blessed but also become a blessing to others, contributing to the legace of Christ and furthering His kingdom.

2. Leadership Involves Righteous Judgment Vs. 16-18

so judge righteously not with partiality… in other words we don’t judge things based on what we think or feel…

Everything needs to be judged based on the Word of God… it’s not wrong because I say its wrong…

It’s wrong because God says its wrong…

Theological Reflection - God’s command to judge righteously and without partiality is rooted in His own character as the ultimate Judge.

Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV

4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

As leaders, we are called to reflect this aspect of God’s nature.

Our judgments must be based on His standards, not on personal preferences or societal trends.

Application: In our leadership roles—whether in the church, family, or workplace—we must ensure that our decisions are grounded in the truth of God’s Word.

It’s tempting to let emotions, personal biases, or the opinions of others influence our judgments, but we are called to a higher standard.

We must constantly ask ourselves: Is this decision aligned with God’s Word?

Illustration: I think of the example of Solomon’s judgment between the two women in 1 Kings 3:16-28.

Solomon didn’t rely on human wisdom alone; he sought God’s guidance, and as a result, he gave a just and wise decision. Turn with me to…

1 Kings 3:16–28 “16 Now two women who were harlots came to the king, and stood before him. 17 And one woman said, “O my lord, this woman and I dwell in the same house; and I gave birth while she was in the house. 18 Then it happened, the third day after I had given birth, that this woman also gave birth. And we were together; no one was with us in the house, except the two of us in the house. 19 And this woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on him. 20 So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from my side, while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. 21 And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne.” 22 Then the other woman said, “No! But the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.” And the first woman said, “No! But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.” Thus they spoke before the king.”

1 Kings 3:23–28 “23 And the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’ ” 24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.” 27 So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.” 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.”

Similarly, when we seek God’s wisdom in our judgments, we too can trust that He will guide us to make decisions that honor Him and serve others justly.

Call to Action - Let’s commit to judging not based on what seems right to us but on what is declared right in God’s Word.

As we do, we will demonstrate God’s justice and righteousness to those around us, becoming instruments of His peace and fairness in a world that desperately needs it.

ENDING….