Deuteronomy 1

Deuteronomy 1 - Israel's History After the Exodus

• Moses spoke to the children of Israel.
• The Lord God said, You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and set your journey and take possession of the land that the Lord swore that He would give to your fathers.
• Moses chose wise and discerning men from the tribes and appointed them over the people with authority to judge fairly.
• The Israelites arrived at the destination, Kadesh-barnea, where God had placed the land before them, to go up and take possession.
• 12 men, one leader from each of the tribes, went before the rest to search out the land.
  
• The people grumbled and complained and said, "Because the Lord hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us."
• The people became afraid and did not trust God. Moses said, "Do not be shocked, nor fear them. The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf."
• The Lord heard the sound of the people and He was angry, for they did not trust Him.
• God said to Moses, "Not a man of this evil generation shall see this land that I swore to give your forefathers, except Caleb, Joshua (for he will cause Israel to inherit the land), your little ones, and your sons."
• The people realized they sinned against the Lord, so they wanted to go up and fight for the land. God spoke to Moses saying, "Say to them, Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; otherwise you will be defeated before your enemies."
• The people did not listen. They rebelled against the command of the Lord. Then, they were chased out and crushed by the Amorites.
  
• Then they returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord did not listen to their voice nor give ear to them.
  
• They remained in Kadesh for many days.

Themes:

1. Israelites did not trust the Lord God
2. There was rebellion and disobedience towards God
   
3. The people were defeated because God was not among them