Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Deuteronomy is the book of WORDS (D’varim). It is an address (or series of addresses) where Moses summed up all that had happened and confirmed the covenant, commands, and statues that Yahweh and their forefathers had agreed in. These Israelites were the SECOND generation out of Egypt getting a SECOND chance in Yahweh’s eternal covenant relationship with His Chosen People and humanity (Romans 1:16). Deuteronomy is also a most hated book by the devil – who is constantly trying to cast doubt on its scribe (Moses), its author (Holy Spirit), and its authenticity. It is the book Jesus quoted from the most – and exclusively in His temptation (Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, 6:13). It is the final hoorah from Moses before he went up the mountain to view the land and pass on. It is an encouraging book, a vital book, and a great companion piece to the Gospel of John.

If you look at the Hebrew names of the first five books of the Word (B’resheet, Sh’mot, Vayikm, B’midbar, and D’varim), you get this sentence: In the beginning these are the names of the called-out ones in the wilderness and these are the words He gave us. Let’s see what they are.

Moses starts with an abbreviated place list the gives them a reminder: don’t do as these people did when they were in these places. Don’t repeat the curses which are the natural (NOT God sent) result of walking out of harmony with God. They are still across from the Jordan, only a few months before they enter the Promised Land. This is after they had defeated Sihon and Og. Why mention these guys? They were GIANTS. Men of reknown. Exactly the type of people their forefathers refused to enter the land to fight. But hey! Remember God gave you victory over these giants. He’ll give you victory over others too. This is a VICTORY speech of trust in Adonai. Moses reminds them that the original land grant to Abraham was from the Nile to the Euphrates and from the seacoast to seacoast (Genesis 15:18-21) – a land mass/region not yet given in total in all of history, but it WILL BE (Ezekiel 36:1-15; Jeremiah 16:15; 24:6-7).

Moses records his first mistake: asking for a counsel to assist him (Numbers 11:16-17 where the seventy are anointed). He also references the wise choice to appoint judges of tens, fifties, hundreds, and thousands to hear the minor complaints that come up with people (Exodus 18:15). Moses was the humblest of men (Numbers 12:3) and didn’t shy from his faults or take pride in his successes.

Next he touched on their first time approaching the land and God’s command to them not to fear or be discouraged. Fear and unbelief will always rob us of God’s best by inhibiting our spiritual growth. If we give into them, we lose the promise. But we can CHOOSE not to. The people wanted spies to check out the land, see how they should proceed, make plans as to routes, and investigate strengths and weaknesses. Moses tells of his second mistake: it seemed good to him. He did not consult God. God said go take the land, don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed. He didn’t say to check it out. But they delayed. Delayed obedience is disobedience. They walked in their own understanding and insisted on this. God let them do their own thing – but gave them the best chance to succeed.

Ten spies brought back a poor report, the people agreed with it, talked against God, and were barred from entering the land. They profaned His character and in spite of Caleb, Joshua, and Moses pleading with them, they refused to enter. They received the negativity that they insisted on declaring and believing in. They were NOT to enter the land until the entire generation had passed away.

They whined about this punishment all night. And they decided to take the land the Lord had closed to them. They went up without permission or blessing – not from God and not from Moses. The people went up anyway (double disobedience now) and got soundly defeated. They came back and wailed some more. But because they wouldn’t hear God when HE asked them to believe, He wouldn’t hear THEM this time.

They wandered in the desert (mostly around Mount Seir). God then gave them an opportunity to prove their self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). They were to move on but NOT to touch the lands of the children of Esau. They obeyed and passed by peacefully. Then they were NOT to harass the Moabites – the children of Lot. They passed by peacefully. They went over the Zered Valley and entered Kadesh Barnea and basically hung around there until the previous generation was completely dead (except Moses, Caleb, and Joshua – thirty-eight years having passed).

They crossed the River Arnon, behaving peacefully. But King Sihon attacked and God gave him and his land into their hands – beginning to put fear of Him and His children into the lands they were to possess. None of Sihon’s cities were too strong for them. They took them all BUT they stayed away from the Ammonites, the places on the River Jabbok, and the cities in the hill country – just as God had instructed. They showed self-control and were walking in obedience.

Summary

Key Players: God, Moses

Key Themes: Trust, Obedience, Remembrance

Key Verse(s): Deuteronomy 1:1-2; 2:36-37