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. In the fortieth yearThis phrase marks a significant milestone in the journey of the Israelites. The "fortieth year" signifies the completion of a generation's wandering in the wilderness, a period of testing and preparation. Biblically, the number forty often symbolizes a time of trial and probation, as seen in the forty days of rain during the flood ( Genesis 7:12) and Jesus' forty days of fasting ( Matthew 4:2). This year marks a transition from wandering to entering the Promised Land, highlighting God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises despite human disobedience. on the first day of the eleventh month
This specific timing underscores the precision and order in God's plan. The "first day" of the "eleventh month" situates the narrative in a real historical context, emphasizing the importance of this moment as a new beginning. The eleventh month, known as Shevat in the Hebrew calendar, is a time of preparation before the spring, symbolizing hope and renewal. This timing reflects God's perfect timing in preparing His people to receive His promises. Moses proclaimed
The act of proclamation by Moses is significant as it underscores his role as God's chosen leader and prophet. The Hebrew root for "proclaimed" (דִּבֶּר, dibber) implies speaking with authority and purpose. Moses, as the mediator of God's covenant, faithfully communicates God's commands, demonstrating obedience and leadership. This proclamation is not merely a repetition of the law but a reaffirmation of God's covenantal relationship with Israel. to the Israelites
The audience of this proclamation, "the Israelites," are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, chosen by God to be His people. This designation reminds the reader of the covenantal promises made to the patriarchs and the unique identity of Israel as a nation set apart for God's purposes. It highlights the continuity of God's plan from the patriarchs to the present generation poised to enter the Promised Land. all that the LORD had commanded him
This phrase emphasizes the completeness and divine origin of the message Moses delivers. "All" indicates that nothing is omitted, reflecting the comprehensive nature of God's instructions. The "LORD" (YHWH) is the covenant name of God, underscoring His eternal and unchanging nature. The commands are not Moses' own but are divinely mandated, reinforcing the authority and sacredness of the message. concerning them
The focus "concerning them" personalizes the message, indicating that God's commands are directly relevant to the Israelites' current situation and future. It underscores God's intimate involvement in the lives of His people, addressing their specific needs and guiding them according to His will. This phrase reassures the Israelites of God's continued presence and guidance as they prepare to enter the land He promised to their ancestors. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His commandments and guide the people through the wilderness. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now on the brink of entering the Promised Land. 3. The Fortieth YearMarks the end of the Israelites' wilderness journey, a significant period of testing and preparation. 4. The Eleventh MonthIndicates the specific timing of Moses' proclamation, emphasizing the importance of God's timing in His plans. 5. The LORD's CommandmentsThe divine instructions given to Moses to communicate to the Israelites, highlighting the covenant relationship between God and His people. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceMoses' role in proclaiming God's commandments underscores the necessity of obedience to God's word. Believers are called to listen and adhere to God's instructions in their lives. God's Timing is PerfectThe specific timing of Moses' proclamation reminds us that God's plans unfold according to His perfect timing. Trusting in His timing is crucial for our spiritual journey. Leadership and ResponsibilityMoses' leadership highlights the responsibility of spiritual leaders to faithfully communicate God's truth. Believers in leadership positions should seek to guide others with integrity and faithfulness. Preparation for Promised BlessingsThe Israelites' journey prepares them for the blessings of the Promised Land. Similarly, believers are called to prepare their hearts for the blessings God has in store, through faith and obedience. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' role as a leader in Deuteronomy 1:3 inspire you in your own leadership or influence within your community? 2. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for God's timing. How does the timing of Moses' proclamation encourage you to trust in God's timing for your life? 3. In what ways can you ensure that you are obedient to God's commandments in your daily life, as Moses instructed the Israelites? 4. How does the 40-year journey of the Israelites in the wilderness serve as a lesson for your own spiritual journey and growth? 5. Consider the transition from Moses to Joshua. How can you prepare for transitions in your own life, ensuring that you remain faithful to God's calling? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 3Connects to Moses' initial calling and the beginning of his leadership journey, showing the continuity of God's plan. Numbers 14Relates to the Israelites' rebellion and the resulting 40-year wilderness period, providing context for the timing in Deuteronomy 1:3. Joshua 1Follows the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land. Hebrews 3-4Reflects on the Israelites' wilderness experience as a lesson in faith and obedience, urging believers to enter God's rest through faith in Christ. People Amorites, Anakites, Caleb, Canaanites, Eshcol, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jephunneh, Joshua, Laban, Moses, Nun, Og, Seir, SihonPlaces Arabah, Ashtaroth, Bashan, Dizahab, Edrei, Egypt, Euphrates River, Hazeroth, Heshbon, Horeb, Hormah, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Laban, Lebanon, Moab, Mount Seir, Negeb, Paran, Seir, Suph, Tophel, Valley of EshcolTopics Command, Commanded, Commandment, Eleventh, Fortieth, Israelites, Month, Orders, Pass, Proclaimed, Sons, Spake, Spoke, SpokenDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 1:3 4951 month Deuteronomy 1:1-4 5102 Moses, life of Library Foretastes of the Heavenly Life
Early in the year 1857. NOTE: This edition of this sermon is taken from an earlier published edition of Spurgeon's 1857 message. The sermon that appears in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 45, was edited and abbreviated somewhat. For edition we have restored the fuller text of the earlier published edition, while retaining a few of the editorial refinements of the Met Tab edition. "And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 45: 1899Preventive against Backsliding.
It is most instructive to note how exceedingly anxious the early Christians were, that, as soon as a man was converted, he should be "filled with the Holy Ghost." They knew no reason why weary wastes of disappointing years should stretch between Bethel and Peniel, between the Cross and Pentecost. They knew it was not God's will that forty years of wilderness wanderings should lie between Egypt and the Promised Land (Deut. i. 2). When Peter and John came to the Samaritans, and found that they were …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Philo of Alexandria, the Rabbis, and the Gospels - the Final Development of Hellenism in Its Relation to Rabbinism and the Gospel According to St. John.
It is strange how little we know of the personal history of the greatest of uninspired Jewish writers of old, though he occupied so prominent a position in his time. [173] Philo was born in Alexandria, about the year 20 before Christ. He was a descendant of Aaron, and belonged to one of the wealthiest and most influential families among the Jewish merchant-princes of Egypt. His brother was the political head of that community in Alexandria, and he himself on one occasion represented his co-religionists, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah A Plain Description of the Essence and Attributes of God, Out of the Holy Scripture, So Far as Every Christian must Competently Know, and Necessarily Believe, that Will be Saves.
Although no creature can define what God is, because he is incomprehensible (Psal. cxliii. 3) and dwelling in inaccessible light (1 Tim. vi. 16); yet it has pleased his majesty to reveal himself to us in his word, so far as our weak capacity can best conceive him. Thus: God is that one spiritual and infinitely perfect essence, whose being is of himself eternally (Deut. i. 4; iv. 35; xxxii. 39; vi. 4; Isa. xlv. 5-8; 1 Cor. viii. 4; Eph. iv. 5, 6; 1 Tim. ii. 5; John iv. 24; 2 Cor. iii. 17; 1 Kings …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Mountainous Country of Judea.
"What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain." However Judea, here and there, doth swell out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains, that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost as Jerusalem itself. Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill-country of Judah," Joshua 21:11; Luke 1:39. Unless I am very much mistaken,--the maps of Adricomus, Tirinius, and others, ought to be corrected, which have feigned to …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Barren Fig-Tree. Temple Cleansed.
(Road from Bethany and Jerusalem. Monday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 18, 19, 12, 13; ^B Mark XI. 12-18; ^C Luke XIX. 45-48. ^b 12 And ^a 18 Now ^b on the morrow [on the Monday following the triumphal entry], ^a in the morning ^b when they were come out from Bethany, ^a as he returned to the city [Jerusalem], he hungered. [Breakfast with the Jews came late in the forenoon, and these closing days of our Lord's ministry were full of activity that did not have time to tarry at Bethany for it. Our …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel In the Temple at the Feast of Tabernacles.
(October, a.d. 29.) ^D John VII. 11-52. ^d 11 The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? [It was now eighteen months since Jesus had visited Jerusalem, at which time he had healed the impotent man at Bethesda. His fame and prolonged obscurity made his enemies anxious for him to again expose himself in their midst. John here used the word "Jews" as a designation for the Jerusalemites, who, as enemies of Christ, were to be distinguished from the multitudes who were in doubt …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 1:3 NIVDeuteronomy 1:3 NLTDeuteronomy 1:3 ESVDeuteronomy 1:3 NASBDeuteronomy 1:3 KJV
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