Reflection

Deuteronomy 1

We now start a new book, Deuteronomy. It is the 5th book of the Bible and the last one of the group called the Pentateuch. Deuteronomy is known as the 2nd law. It is not another law being given but it sheds new light on the past laws which we have read from Exodus through Numbers. Moses is the contributer for this book and the dialogue is not Moses and God but now Moses with the people.

We will read some of the same stories just with a new light or different perspective on them. The meaning does not change with a new perspective but instead learning of how much God loves his people.In this chapter we start to read about how Israel was about to enter into the land, they were at Mt. Horeb for a few years and the Promise Land was right there. We did read this in Numbers 13. As they were getting ready to enter into the land, they sent spies into the land and they returned with a negative report. The spies told the people that the land is good for food, but the people who inhabit the land are mighty.  Here we see Moses talking to Israel as, remember this type of thing that happened. The chapter ends with the people receiving the penalty for not having faith in God to deliver them into the land and protecting them. Again Moses tells the people how could you not trust God as he has led you by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. But the people were in sin. In Numbers 14 we read about how Israel realized their sin and wanted to try to make things better so they said, “Let us go take this land.” But, God was not with them in this battle and they lost miserably.

This chapter condensed a couple that we already have read in Numbers but we see Moses telling the people about what had happened. It is always interesting to be reminded of others big mistakes and this was a big mistake for Israel which would cost them 40 years wondering the wilderness.  We need to not only look at Israel’s lack of faith during this time but also reflect on ourselves in areas where we are still fighting sin. We need to know that sin does not reign over us, but that it has been crucified with Christ. We are a new creation, may we not feel the overwhelming guilt because of sin, like how Satan desires but that we would say, “There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” I am free because Christ died for my freedom. I can say goodbye to the bondage of sin because of Christ.    Amen