Looking Back, Moving Forward The Wandering Heart [Deut. 1:1-8]

Deut. 1:1-8 (NIV) 1 These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the desert 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.

Deut. 1:1-8 (NIV) 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 neighboring 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."

Map of the Exodus Period

► The Vision Alone Is Not Enough ► The Goal Alone Is Not the Most Important ► Our Efforts Alone Will Not Get Us There The Wandering Heart

Looking Back, Moving Forward A. Reconnecting with God’s Purpose [Ch. 1-4] A new generation grew up before Moses, but God’s purpose remained the same. Through an elaborate rehearsal of events, good and bad, Moses reconnects that generation with God’s unchanging purposes. Application: Each generation has its opportunity to understand and join God in His greater purposes.

B. Reflecting on God’s Person [Ch. 5-11] The manner we respond to God’s commands fully reflects the way we respond to God Himself. Through many warnings and exhortations, Moses calls God’s people to devote themselves to the God who has revealed Himself to them in His Word. Application: God asks each generation the same question, “Do you love me more than all of these?”

C. Refocusing on God’s Way [Ch ] God’s laws restructure the way a people act, think and live out their lives so they can live in conformity with their Holy God. The many rules and judgments listed here all ultimately point to Christ the way to God. They were meant to lift His people up above all the other nations as they would live in God’s holy presence. Application: Each generation is tested as to whether they will fully revolve their lives around Christ and His teachings. Great blessings follow the obedient, while curses those willing to disregard the words of Christ.

D. Responding to God’s Promise [Ch ] Moses calls the community of God’s people to together come before God and enter into the covenant God has prepared for them. As they reaffirm their loyalty to God and God’s people, they embrace God’s future purposes together. Application: As we together understand and embrace the New Covenant in Christ, we are given extra grace to carry out God’s great purposes.

This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. The process is not yet finished but it is going on. This is not the end but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.