Farewell

Monday 28th July

Read Deuteronomy 1:1-18

“These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan – that is, in the Arabah – opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab. ² (It takes eleven days to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road.)

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:

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 that 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. ¹¹ May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! ¹² But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? 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.” (NIVUK)

As we begin to read this farewell message of Moses to Israel we start at a very specific time and place, even to the road! The reason for writing is also given, it is to expound the Lord’s message to the people after 40 years of wandering and waiting. It is time to enter the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the people of Israel are at the threshold; but first Moses reminds them that they must remember where they have been and God’s provision throughout.  He suggests they must remember God’s instructions for leadership and the need for justice and righteousness in judgement for all people.

We must remember as I read this book that it follows the form of a treaty-covenant of the day with today’s introduction followed by a bit of history (1-4), the stipulations of the covenant (5-26) and then the curses and blessing associated with breaking or keeping of the covenant (27-30).

This chapter reminds me that a society following God’s ways is just and righteous to all and that this also applies to me at the individual level. Who do I listen to for help; God’s word will enable me to see what is just and right and with the Holy Spirit’s presence live accordingly.

Geoff Hinch