After a review of the first four books of the Pentateuch, we look at chapters 1-4 of Deuteronomy. The name means "second law," and the first generation received the law from Moses when he came down from Mt. Sinai, but that generation has died off, and Moses is giving it again to this new generation before they enter the promised land. He prepares the people to receive the law with commands like: don't add to them, don't take away from them, keep it, and observe them. He encouraged the people: "Don't be afraid of them the Lord our God Himself will fight for you" (3:22). "The Lord has blessed you in all the work of your hands" (2:7). He warned them. "Only be careful and watch yourselves closely" (4:9). "Do not become corrupt and make idols" (4:15b-16a). "Don't forget" (4:23-24). He told them when they disobey and the Lord scatters them, he gave them hope and said, "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (4:29). One other thing Moses is that Moses blamed the people instead of himself for not being allowed to enter the promised land, 1:37, 3:21-29, and 4:21-22a. The story of Moses (and Aaron's) sin that kept them from entering the promised land is found in Numbers 20:1-13. Their sister, Miriam had just died. The people complained because they did not have water. The Lord said speak to the rock, and instead, Moses spoke to the people and said, "Listen, you rebels, must WE bring you water out of this rock?" Then instead of speaking to the rock, they disobeyed, and Moses hit the rock. The Lord said in Numbers 20:12, "But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.'" It seemed that Moses allowed his anger to get out of control, and it seems to still be lingering. Chapter 4 ends with an introduction to the Law of God, as they are all on the east side of the Jordan River across from Jericho.
