How embarrassing it can be watching old family movies! No doubt, Israel found it the same.
Like any great orator, Moses begins by sketching in the background in the first three chapters of Deuteronomy. The man of God reminds them of their two-year stay at Sinai and then God’s call to set out for the Promised Land. “You have dwelt long enough at this mountain,” said the Lord. “Turn and take your journey” (Deut 1:6-7). But what should have been an “eleven days’ journey from Horeb…to Kadesh Barnea” (v 2) turned into a forty-year slog through the desert because of their unbelief. Now finally, they had made it to the border of Canaan. We are reminded of the early victories they had won over “Sihon king of the Amorites…and Og king of Bashan” (v 4). Moses also stated that, in fulfilling His promise to greatly bless the nation, “the Lord your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude” (v 10). For this reason, he had asked for help administering this large number, and had identified “the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men,” making them administrators of God’s people (v 15). So they continued “through all that great and terrible wilderness” (v 19) until that whole generation was buried under its sand. Thus chapter 1 relives the painful days of doubt, disobedience, and despair that culminated with a massive Dead End sign barring the way, and a heartbreaking detour to the land of nowhere. What a solemn warning of the consequences of unbelief in God! Of our Lord in His hometown we read, “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Mt 13:58). Are we missing monumental blessings in our lives for the simple lack of believing God’s Word? What promises can we claim today so we can be a greater blessing to those around?