Devarim

Deut. 1:1 - 3:22

          Today we begin the Book of Deuteronomy. Unlike the other books of Torah, Deuteronomy is not a narrative of events leading up to the conquest of Canaan .  Rather it comprises the final teachings of Moses prior to the conquest. There is a  recounting of the wilderness wanderings and a reiteration of the ten commandments and many of the laws found elsewhere in Torah. In addition, there are some instructions  and promises found nowhere else but in  this important book.  In the first chapter we read an account of how Moses delegated authority to others.  Remember that Moses was speaking to the generation that were not present at Sinai and who were  going into the land without Moses.  Perhaps, Moses begins this way to remind the people about the importance of shared leadership.  He goes on to remind the people how their parents refused to enter the land because they believed the bad report of the spies.  Of course, Moses wants them to remember that God gave the land to the people and they needed to trust God that He would bring them into the land to possess it. Notice in 1:32 we read, but for all this you did not trust the Lord your God.  Moses continues to describe the various battles fought over the 40 year period in the wilderness. He does this  in order to show that God was faithful and brought them through.  In 3:22 we read,  do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.                  

        Moses desires that the people entering the land would be encouraged to know that they are not alone - even if Moses is not entering with them.  He wants them to remember the consequences of fearing the enemies and not fearing God. He want them to understand that to not trust God in His promises is tantamount to rebellion.  God had promised the Israelites the land. However, they had the responsibility of possessing it - of acting on the promise. As we read these opening chapters of the fifth book of the Torah, we must ask ourselves if we have learned the important lessons from the wilderness wanderings of our ancestors. Do we believe the promises of God? Are we moving forward in our lives, “possessing” the promises. Do we look at the world around us and think that the inhabitants of the land are too great for us and that there is no way for us to overcome? Do we really believe that God is the One fighting our battles? These are the questions this book of the bible forces us to ask.  May we find great encouragement in Moses final words as we walk through he wilderness of our lives. Shabbat Shalom!