Yet in spite of this Word, you did not believe the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 1:32 ESV
I’m not a Hebrew or Greek scholar, but I love word studies. I find it helpful when studying the Old Testament to take advantage of various Jewish resources.
Imagine my surprise when I learned Deuteronomy was not a Hebrew word but Ancient Greek. The Jews call this book in the Torah, ‘Devarim’ which literally means words. Here’s what chabad.org had to say ~
Moses recaps the major events and laws that are recorded in the Torah’s other four books. Thus the book of Devarim is also called Mishneh Torah, “Repetition of the Torah” (and hence its Anglicized-Greek name, Deuteronomy, or “Second Law”).
Deuteronomy rehearses the history of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and their journey thus far in the wilderness. Moses once again emphasizes God’s words, Israel’s response, and the consequences of their choices. It is the reflection of forty years of leading a nation.
I hold mixed emotions as I read this book of ‘words, which causes me to reflect on my personal history with God. Deuteronomy 8:2 reminds me that life with God is constantly being tested.
And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about Israel’s history. These testimonies have been written for our examples that ‘we might not desire evil as they did.’ Paul calls their idolatry, sexual immorality, and murmuring evil. He notes how they put God to the test with their practices, and the Destroyer ultimately destroyed some.
Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 1 Corinthians 10:11
Because we experience nothing in this life that is not common to all, God’s word always prepares us and offers us the way of escape. There is nothing new under the sun.
It is how we respond to the words God speaks that reveals the matters of heart.
Hebrews chapter three tells us Israel did not enter into the rest of God (his promised land) because of their evil heart of unbelief. It is never about our ability but always about our trust In God.
Joshua and Caleb’s words are recorded in Numbers 14 as they spoke to the congregation affirming the exceedingly good land, saying, “If the Lord is pleased with us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us….only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
When giants in the land are more significant than God and we are as grasshoppers in our own sight, human reasoning rules, hearts get hard, and hearing becomes dull. Yet God’s word to them then continues to us; ‘Today if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts’. We are to guard against the evil of an unbelieving heart.
God gave the nation ten times to come to terms with the promise of His words before He judged their unbelief. I’m so thankful that our covenant with God through the blood of Jesus enables us to receive forgiveness every time we confess our sins.
Jesus sets a human standard for us that reflects the vastness of God’s heart when he tells his disciples, ‘forgiveness must be given seven times seventy’ when dealing with others, Matthew 18:22. Under our new covenant established upon better promises, we are met by our Father who is rich in mercies that are new every day. Great is His faithfulness to a people who are willing to live before him in a posture of submission and humility. Moses' life of intercession on behalf of the nation kept them alive in their times of rebellion. This wasn’t about their ability. It was about their trust in God.
This week, I am watching my life and reflecting on any words God has spoken to me that deserve this rebuke…..
Yet in Spite of this Word, you did not believe the Lord your God.
It is a suitable pause for reflection and, if necessary, repentance. Realignment keeps us moving forward into His promised word.