The Incredible Faithfulness of God (Deuteronomy 1: 1-43)

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EPISODE NOTES:

Introduction to Deuteronomy

• Book Overview: Deuteronomy is traditionally seen as a series of sermons delivered by Moses to the Israelites before his death. These sermons reflect on the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land, emphasizing obedience to God’s law as they prepare to enter the land.
• Structure: The book can be divided into three primary sermons. Chapter 1 begins with the historical context, setting the stage for the first sermon.

Setting the Scene (Deuteronomy 1:1-5)

• Book Overview:
• Structure: 

God's Faithfulness at Sinai (Deuteronomy 1:6-18)

• Command to Move Forward: 
• Fulfillment of God’s Promise:
• Establishment of Judges: 
• Leadership Lessons:

Failure at Kadesh Barnea (Deuteronomy 1:19-46)

• Reaching the Promised Land: 
• The Spies' Report: 
• Consequences of Disobedience:

Key Lessons and Theological Themes

• Trust in God’s Promises: The Israelites’ failure at Kadesh Barnea serves as a warning against allowing fear and doubt to override faith in God’s promises.
• God's Justice and Discipline: God’s response to the Israelites’ rebellion illustrates His justice. Even Moses is not exempt from the consequences of disobedience.
• The Age of Accountability: The passage hints at the concept of the "age of accountability" through the promise that the children, who were too young to understand good and evil, would inherit the land.

Application for Today

• Faith vs. Fear: The account of Israel at Kadesh Barnea challenges believers to trust God’s promises, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
• Importance of Obedience: Disobedience, especially when rooted in fear, can lead to missed opportunities and the loss of God’s blessings.
• Leadership and Delegation: Effective leadership involves recognizing one’s limits and wisely delegating responsibilities to others, just as Moses did.

Conclusion

• God’s Unwavering Faithfulness: Despite Israel’s repeated failures, God’s faithfulness remains evident. He continues to guide, discipline, and ultimately fulfill His promises to His people.
• Reflection: This passage from Deuteronomy is not just historical; it serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of trusting in God, obeying His commands, and recognizing His faithfulness, even when we fall short.

Transcript

The Incredible Faithfulness of God. (Deuteronomy 1: 1-43)

Full Transcript

 We all know that God is faithful, but I believe many of us sitting in the pews on Sunday may not fully grasp just how profound God's faithfulness truly is. This incredible faithfulness is vividly demonstrated in the first chapter of the book of Deuteronomy. So, I would like to invite your attention to Deuteronomy chapter one, where we can explore and discover more about the faithfulness of God.

What does this chapter reveal about God's faithfulness that makes it so remarkable? Let me suggest that we start with Deuteronomy chapter one as we embark on a study throughout this entire book. Before diving into the specifics of chapter one, I’d like to share a few words about the book as a whole. I'll explain more about it as we progress through the first chapter, but it’s important to note that there are different approaches to understanding this book.

One traditional approach views Deuteronomy as a series of sermons that Moses delivered to the children of Israel just before his death. If we take this perspective, we might then ask, "How many sermons are contained in this book?" Some might say five, while others might suggest three, with additional material included afterward. After examining the content myself, I personally believe it’s most effective to view Deuteronomy as a series of three primary sermons.

Now, these sermons are quite lengthy—so lengthy, in fact, that they could easily stretch into the midnight hours, with listeners at risk of dozing off! To help us navigate through all of this, I will summarize parts of the text. For instance, the first five verses of chapter one provides what we might call an introduction or setting for the chapter. After these introductory verses, the rest of the chapter is divided into two main sections, where Moses recounts what happened at Sinai and beyond.

So, let's begin by briefly examining those first five verses. Verse one says…

These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness.”

(Deuteronomy 1: 1)

Now, if you drop down to verse two, you’ll notice that it mentions an 11-day journey. To put this in context, recall that after the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites traveled to Mount Sinai. From there, they journeyed to Kadesh Barnea. However, as we’ll see in this chapter, they refused to enter the Promised Land, which led to God’s discipline. Because of their disobedience, God allowed an entire generation to die in the wilderness. When the second generation came along, they were finally going to enter the land, but not from the south, near Kadesh Barnea. Instead, they approached from the east side of the Jordan.

Before Moses dies, he speaks to the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan. After his death, Joshua will lead them across the Jordan and into the land. Verse two mentions that it was an 11-day journey. This is a significant detail. If you travelled directly from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea, which is at the southern edge of the Promised Land, it would only take about 11 days—a journey of roughly 25 miles per day. Moses indicates that the entire nation could have made this trip in just 11 days.

Verses three and four give us a specific timeframe:

3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded him concerning them. 4 This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, and at Edrei had defeated Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. 5 East of the Jordan in the territory of Moab, Moses began to expound this law, saying:

(Deuteronomy 1: 3-5)

This tells us that these events occurred 40 years after the Exodus from Egypt. But why 40 years? The answer is that from the time they left Egypt until they reached the east side of the Jordan, nearly 40 years had passed. While their wandering in the wilderness lasted about 38 years, the Bible often rounds this figure to 40 years, which includes the time they spent at Sinai and Kadesh Barnea before their extended wandering.

Additionally, it’s interesting to note the timing: the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, which corresponds roughly to our January or February. This is the time of year when Moses delivered these speeches. Verse five tells us more about his activities: “On this side of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this law, saying…”

One of the reasons I believe Deuteronomy is a series of sermons by Moses is this very text. It tells us explicitly that Moses was explaining the law. He wasn’t just reciting a treaty or legal code—he was teaching, clarifying, and exhorting the people. Some refer to Deuteronomy as “the second law,” because it repeats much of the law given in Exodus and other books. However, Moses’ primary purpose was to exhort the Israelites to obey these laws.

The Hebrew word used here for “proclaiming” the law is rich in meaning. It means “to make plain, to make clear, to declare.” This is exactly what every pastor should strive to do—explain and clarify the Scriptures so that they are understandable and applicable.

When we hear the word “law” in English, it often has negative connotations—something difficult to keep, with consequences if we fail. But the Hebrew word for “law” actually means “instruction.” It’s not a bad translation, but “instruction” might capture the idea better. The law was God’s instruction to Israel on how to live under the covenant He made with Abraham.

So, in these first five verses, we see the location, time, and activity of Moses on the east side of the Jordan before they entered the Promised Land. This provides the geographical and chronological setting for his sermons.

Before we dive into the message of the chapter, I want to make one more observation.

This passage is filled with details—dates, locations—that might seem irrelevant to us today. However, these details are crucial because they place the events within a specific historical framework. This isn’t just a story or a fairy tale; these are historical events that happened in real time and space. This accuracy and attention to detail affirm that we’re dealing with historical facts, not fiction or fantasy.

With that introduction, let’s look at the two main sections of the rest of the chapter, starting with Sinai. Let’s begin with verse six...

6 The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighbouring peoples in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. 8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.” 9 At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. 10 The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.

(Deuteronomy 1: 6-10)

"The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.'

(Deuteronomy 1: 6)

This wasn't an empty statement. Remember, God had promised that the descendants of Abraham would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. In verse 10, it says, “The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky”. Now, the human eye can count roughly 3,000 stars in each hemisphere, but by this time, the Israelites had far exceeded that number. According to Numbers 26, the census reported that there were about 600,000 men, not including women and children. So, when God says they are as numerous as the stars, it’s an acknowledgment of the fulfilment of His promise.

God’s point was that the nation had grown too large for one man—Moses—to govern effectively. In verse 12, Moses laments, 2 But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? ' God’s solution was to appoint judges. He instructed the Israelites to choose 'wise, and knowledgeable men' from among their tribes, and Moses would make them leaders over the people.

This was when God appointed judges to assist Moses. 

13 Choose some wise, understanding and respected men 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 the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. 17 Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.” 18 And at that time I told you everything you were to do.

(Deuteronomy 1: 13-18)

The nation had grown too large for Moses to handle all their disputes alone. So, God directed him to establish an organized system of governance, which included military leaders, officials, and judges. The idea was to create a structure where leadership was distributed, making it possible to govern effectively.

Notice how Moses organized the people: he chose leaders who were wise and knowledgeable and created a hierarchical structure. There were leaders over groups of thousands, then under them, leaders over hundreds, then fifties, and finally, even leaders over groups as small as ten people.

This was an elaborate organization, but it was necessary. Each leader could handle the needs of a small group, and if a problem was too complex, it could be escalated up the chain. This system was designed so that disputes could be managed effectively, and Moses wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the caseload.

So, like Moses, today church leaders need to understand this passage tells us it is essential to delegate. We need others to step up and help carry the load, just as the early church did in Acts chapter 6 when the apostles appointed deacons to manage the daily distribution so they could focus on prayer and ministry of the Word.

The Bible recognizes the need for organization. In Deuteronomy, Moses set up an elaborate system of judges. When disputes arose among the people, these judges were there to help resolve them. Moses couldn’t handle every case himself, so the load was distributed among capable leaders.

He gave these judges two primary instructions: don’t show partiality and judge righteously. He emphasized that they should not be afraid of anyone because judgment belongs to God. If a case was too difficult, it could be brought to Moses, but the expectation was that these judges would handle most disputes justly and impartially.

As I mentioned earlier, this chapter has two main sections: the events at Sinai and the events at Kadesh Barnea. The first part of the chapter, which we’ve just discussed, deals with what happened at Sinai, where the nation got organized. This organization was essential because the growing population created a need for judges to resolve disputes."

Now let's pick it up at verse 19.

19 Then, as the Lord our God commanded us, we set out from Horeb and went toward the hill country of the Amorites through all that vast and dreadful wilderness that you have seen, and so we reached Kadesh Barnea. 20 Then I said to you, “You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. 21 See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

(Deuteronomy 1: 19-21)

It’s crucial to remember the Lord’s command: 'Do not fear or be discouraged.' The Israelites were at Kadesh Barnea, on the southern border of the Promised Land, ready to enter and possess it. In fact, the concept of possessing the land is a central theme in Deuteronomy, appearing over 50 times throughout the book.

When they reached Kadesh Barnea, the people came to Moses with a suggestion, which is recorded in verse 22:

Then all of you came to me and said, “Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to.”

(Deuteronomy 1: 22)

In other words, the children of Israel suggested sending spies into the land. Notice that this idea originated from the people, not from God.

However, in verse 23, Moses says, 

23 The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe. 24 They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshkol and explored it.

(Deuteronomy 1: 23-25)

The people proposed it, and Moses approved of it. So, he selected twelve men, one from each tribe, to carry out the mission. Interestingly, the Lord also approved this plan, as we learn from Numbers 13:1-2. So, this wasn’t necessarily a bad idea. After all, if you're about to enter hostile territory, it makes sense to gather intelligence on your enemy. The plan had the potential to be helpful, but it also had the potential to go awry, which is exactly what happened.

Verse 25 recounts what happened next:

Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, “It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us.”

(Deuteronomy 1: 25)

This part of the report was positive. The spies explored the land and brought back some of its fruit, which was remarkably good. The Valley of Eshcol, near Hebron, is still known today for its grapes. So, the spies confirmed that the land was indeed good, just as the Lord had promised.

But then comes verse 26: 

6 But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. 27 You grumbled in your tents and said, “The Lord hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us.

Instead of moving forward in faith, the people rebelled. They allowed fear to take hold, leading them to accuse God of hating them and intending to destroy them.

Notice what’s happening here—they’re not taking responsibility for their lack of faith. Instead, they’re blaming God. 

This blame-shifting is as old as Adam himself. Remember how Adam responded after eating the forbidden fruit? He said, 'The woman You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.' He blamed both Eve and God. Similarly, the Israelites blamed God for their fear and rebellion, claiming He had brought them out of Egypt just to destroy them. This twisted view of God was a direct result of their defiance and sin. When we defy God, it corrupts our perception of Him.

Verse 28 reveals more of their mindset:

' Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’

(Deuteronomy 1: 28)

The people’s hearts were discouraged by the spies’ report. The spies described the land as full of giants and fortified cities with walls reaching up to the heavens.

The most terrifying aspect of the report was the mention of the Anakim, a race of giants. The Israelites were overwhelmed by the thought of facing such formidable opponents. But rather than trusting God, who had promised to deliver the land into their hands, they chose to believe the ten spies who claimed that conquering the land was impossible.

These spies were considered the 'experts' because they had seen the land firsthand. Yet their report was able to shake the faith of the entire nation, despite God’s clear and consistent care and provision. It’s hard to comprehend the sheer stubbornness of the Israelites in this situation. But let's not be too quick to judge—this kind of doubt and fear isn’t unique to the Israelites. It’s a common human experience.

This episode reminds us that defiance and fear can lead us to doubt God’s promises, no matter how clear His guidance has been. The Israelites' refusal to enter the Promised Land was rooted in their unwillingness to trust God over their own fears. And as we’ll see, the consequences of this rebellion were severe." 

Verse 29 begins with Moses encouraging the Israelites:

29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes. and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

(Deuteronomy 1: 29-31)

Moses reminded them that God had already proven His faithfulness. He provided water from a rock, protected them from dangers, and guided them with a cloud by day and fire by night. Yet, despite all these miraculous acts, when they reached Kadesh Barnea, they chose to believe the fearful report of the spies rather than trust in the sovereignty of God.

Moses wasn't rebuking them without cause; he was laying out the facts. In fact, he laments:

In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.

(Deuteronomy 1: 32-33)

After everything they had witnessed—their hearts still lacked faith.

God’s response to their unbelief was swift and severe. In verse 34, it says:

When the Lord heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: “No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly.”

(Deuteronomy 1: 34-36)

Caleb and later Joshua were the exceptions because they fully followed the Lord, despite the majority's fear and rebellion.

Moses then adds a personal note in verse 37:  Because of you the Lord became angry with me also and said, “You shall not enter it, either. 

Because of Moses' disobedience in striking the rock, God decreed that he too would not enter the Promised Land. It was a reminder that even leadership is not immune to God's discipline.

Verse 38 speaks of Joshua, saying, “But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it.." Joshua, who alongside Caleb, did not align with the majority’s negative report, would lead the next generation into the land.

Then in verses 39-40, God offers a glimmer of hope: 

39 And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it. 40 But as for you, turn around and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea.

(Deuteronomy 1: 39-40)

God promises that the children, who were considered too young to know good from evil, would inherit the land. This passage has often been cited as a basis for the concept of the "age of accountability"—the idea that God does not hold individuals accountable for sin until they reach an age of moral understanding.

But the story doesn't end there. 

In verse 41, the people attempt to rectify their rebellion. They confess their sin and declare. 

“We have sinned against the Lord. We will go up and fight, as the Lord our God commanded us.” So every one of you put on his weapons, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country.

(Deuteronomy 1: 41)

However, their decision was made out of presumption rather than faith. Moses warned them in verse 42: "The Lord said to me, But the Lord said to me, “Tell them, ‘Do not go up and fight, because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.’” But the people, still acting in defiance, ignored Moses' warning.

Verse 43 recounts the tragic result: "So I told you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the Lord’s command and in your arrogance you marched up into the hill country." Without God's presence, their efforts were doomed to fail. And in verse 44, we see the consequence:

The Amorites who lived in those hills came out against you; they chased you like a swarm of bees and beat you down from Seir all the way to Hormah.

(Deuteronomy 1: 44)

The people were defeated because they attempted to do in their own strength what only God could accomplish through them.

The last two verses drive the point home:

"You came back and wept before the Lord, but he paid no attention to your weeping and turned a deaf ear to you. And so you stayed in Kadesh many days "

(Deuteronomy 1: 45-46)

Their disobedience had closed the door to the Promised Land for that generation. As a result, they remained at Kadesh for many days.

This passage is a sobering reminder of the consequences of rebellion and the importance of trusting in God's promises. When we act out of fear or presumption rather than faith, we step out of alignment with God's will, and the results can be disastrous. The Israelites’ experience serves as a warning to us all to trust in the Lord, even when the circumstances seem daunting, and to obey His commands, knowing that His way is always best.

Let's bring this message to a close by reflecting on the powerful lessons we've uncovered.

This passage from Deuteronomy isn't just an ancient story; it’s a profound illustration of God’s unwavering faithfulness, even in the face of human failure. The Israelites repeatedly fell short—they were discouraged, they rebelled, they complained, and they doubted God's promises. Yet, despite their unfaithfulness, God remained true to His word.

God had promised the land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He was determined to fulfil that promise. When the first generation refused to trust Him and enter the Promised Land, God didn’t abandon His covenant. Instead, He ensured that the next generation—those who hadn’t yet reached the age of accountability—would inherit the land. This is a clear testament to God's faithfulness, showing that His promises stand firm, regardless of human frailty.

Moses repeats this story not only to remind the people of their history but to emphasize God’s faithfulness to future generations, including us today. This account wasn't just a history lesson for the Israelites; it’s a timeless reminder that God is reliable, trustworthy, and steadfast.

The overarching truth here is that God is faithful to His children even when they are not faithful to Him. The Israelites, despite their lack of faith and repeated failures, were still provided for and protected by God during their 40 years in the wilderness. This incredible faithfulness of God was evident in His provision of manna, His guidance through the wilderness, and His ultimate fulfilment of His promise.

Let's take this a step further into the New Testament, where the theme of God's faithfulness is echoed repeatedly. For example, in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul writes, "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." This verse highlights that God's faithfulness isn't just about fulfilling promises from the past, but also about establishing, protecting, and guarding us in the present.

Consider 1 Corinthians 10:13, where it says, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." Here again, we see God’s faithfulness in action—He not only protects us from being overwhelmed by temptation but also provides us with the strength and means to overcome it.

Hebrews 10:23 encourages us to "Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." 

This verse reassures us that God is faithful to reward those who remain steadfast in their faith.

And finally, 1 John 1:9 reminds us of the incredible mercy that flows from God’s faithfulness: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

Even when we fall short, God’s faithfulness ensures that we can be forgiven and restored.

Let's not forget 2 Timothy 2:13, which sums up this theme beautifully: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." 

Even when we falter in our faith, God’s nature as a faithful God remains unchanged. He cannot deny who He is—His faithfulness is intrinsic to His character.

In conclusion, the message from Deuteronomy and the New Testament is clear: God is faithful, even when we are not. He protects, provides, and preserves His children through all circumstances.

Our response should be to trust in His faithfulness, to rely on His promises, and to hold fast to our faith, knowing that He will never let us down. Let us go forward with confidence in the steadfast love and faithfulness of our God, who never wavers, never fails, and always keeps His word.