Deuteronomy 1-2

February 23

Deuteronomy 1-2

Deuteronomy means “second law.” This book reviews the law given to Moses by God on Mt Sinai and various stories about the journey the Israelites have been on for the past forty years. The old generation had died off. Because of their disobedience, they would not get to enter the Promised Land. Moses is addressing the next generation. They were not there when they crossed the Red Sea or for the early desert wanderings. Moses is passing the law on to the next generation so they will be prepared as they enter the land God was going to provide for them.

Moses reminds the Israelites that they are not alone in their undertaking. God had given them the land, their job is to go and claim what is already theirs. They are not to be afraid or discouraged, they are to be bold and take the land not because they are superior, but because God had already promised the land to them.

The first generation of Israelites saw the giants in the land and their fear was greater than their faith. Because of their fear, they died in the desert. Moses wanted to remind the Israelites of the failure of their forefathers, so they did not follow the same pattern.

God has given us instructions to go and claim what he has already won in victory. "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV)

We are invited to be a part of God’s movement in this world. Jesus said for us to go and make disciples of all nations. Just as he told the Israelites to go into the Promised Land, He tells us to go into the nations and make disciples. He tells us to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He tells us to teach his disciples to obey everything He commanded us.

Why don’t we do a very good job of this? Perhaps we are too much like the Israelites. Our fear is greater than our faith. True faith is revealed by our actions not our words. Besides, Jesus said that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to him and that he is with us. What have we to fear? Let’s go claim lives for the Kingdom of God.