With the first generation of liberated, judged, and expiring Israelites removed, God now turns His attention to a renewal of His covenant with this second generation of Israelite people. And so, the book of Deuteronomy (Second Law) begins. The opening of the book lays the foundation of geography and timing. After having spent a year at Sinai (430 or so years after Abraham) receiving the Law of God (in order to know how to live in a hostile culture and yet remain His people), as well as after wandering through the desert forty years (for failing to trust God), these children now adults are east of the Jordan River ready to enter their long ago promised land…as well as for whatever lies ahead.
Previously, God had delivered Moses and the first generation of displaced Israelites. In fact, Moses makes this point clear at the outset of the Second Law (Deuteronomy)…
“…he had defeated Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.”
Deuteronomy 1:4
King Sihon of the Amorites would not only not let the Israelites pass through their land as they journeyed through to Canaan, but they sent out an army to take them down–to their dismay. In fact, Moses and the wandering Israelites even settled in their land for a period of time. And then King Og came out against Moses, and they too felt the sting of defeat as God continued to prepare their way for them. And so, this new (this second) generation of God’s liberated people must remain faithful to God. They must remain in a reconciled relationship with their Protector, Provider, and Sustainer. However, there must be a way where there was otherwise no way. Thus, Moses–after detailing God’s victories for them–shares the following…
“…Moses undertook to expound this law…”
Deuteronomy 1:5b
There must be a governor, a restraint, an access, and a means of reconciliation for this prone to wander people. And so, Moses sets out to expound the Law. He gives them what they need in order to maintain their covenant purity, national testimony, and relational fellowship with God. They certainly cannot maintain it themselves, and there is no outside source to remedy their disease of sin. Thus, Moses expounds. He explains. He communicates the way of reconciliation. Faithful Moses, the covenant mediator, steps in again. Glory! And this is yet another reason why Christ had to die. Why? Because Moses died. He didn’t (and couldn’t) remain the covenant mediator of reconciliation with God. There must be One whose death would lead to life not just a shadow. Therefore, Moses was merely pointing to One who could remain…perpetually the Covenant Mediator!
How Does This Apply To Us Today?
- Are there times when you feel like your investment in someone or something is simply returning the same bad results? Don’t you think Moses questioned his effort, and wondered when these rebellious people would get it? He could have given up a long time before this new generation, but his purpose was far greater than the inconvenience of difficult people and challenging situations. He was pointing to a greater reality that is God’s ultimate solution to man’s rebellion…
- How do you deal with difficult people and difficult situations?
- What do you believe your purpose is in those seasons?
- What is your means of comfort or reconciling the challenges?
In other words, how do you handle habitually challenging people, difficult life situations, impossible parenting problems, and even your own narcissistic mistakes? How do you define or find your purpose in those seasons? What is your source of reconciliation?
It is at this point that people can really slip, and end up in a more troubling spot than before…
- Some people find it easy to turn primarily to self-help, self-motivational, and leadership development material.
- Others find it easy to turn to legalistic measures to solve their problems of inconvenience and discomfort.
But how far do those things go? They’re helpful, no doubt, but do they deal with the root issue?
What’s at the heart of every problem, difficulty, or challenge that we face?
You…and me!
You are the problem…and I am the problem. Just like the Israelites of old, we’re all contributors to the dilemmas we face…listen to what James has to say about this matter: “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?” James 4:1
So, how do we face the challenge of ourselves…and how do we find or define our purpose in the seasons of difficulty?
The Christian has the one answer that Moses and the Law pointed to–Christ. His life, His death, and His resurrection provide the means by which all men may be saved and reconciled to a forever relationship with God. He lived the life we couldn’t live. He died the death we wouldn’t die. And He was resurrected from the grave, which is something we couldn’t imagine. Thus, His life is exchanged for our life. His life for your life and mine.
- Thus, the Christian daily transfers their trust from their failed attempt at living morally, ethically, and religiously pure to His perfectly lived life of moral, ethical, and religious purity. Christ conquered sin, so that we would live in victory. He was victorious over the challenge of death in order for us to be free to live a victorious life of challenges in Him. He made an eternal way for a wayward and rebellious people! Unlike the temporary covenant mediator, Moses, Christ does not stay in the grave. No, no, He broke loose every bond that bears us to our sin through His resurrection. Glory! And so, we face the challenge of self by coming to the One who is the fulfiller of the Law, and we lead people to this same One–in faith! There’s the answer to the challenge of ourself.
- And so, what’s our purpose? To magnify Him. No matter the season…no matter the challenge, problem, or difficulty. Like Moses of old pointing people to reconciliation, we too point to the ultimate means of reconciliation with God–Christ!
Are people hard to deal with? Are difficult situations challenging to bear under? Yes. But, the Christian has One who deals with the heart and lets you and me see things for how they really are…opportunities to live in the power, strength, and conviction of our Lord. Are you facing trying times? Christ died to give you strength in your weakness. Stop thinking you can do it in your own strength (you know you are when you stop praying and close your Bible). And so, run to Him in prayer. Run to Him in His Word…and remember, by grace through faith you are loved, you are cherished, you are adopted, you are eternally secure, and you are promised forever fellowship with the Creator of the universe. Glory!
— April 20, 2018