Deuteronomy 1-2; Psalm 40:1-10

Deuteronomy (Second Law)
Rough Outline from Easton's Bible Dictionary: Deuteronomy consists chiefly of three discourses delivered by Moses a short time before his death. They were spoken to all Israel in the plains of Moab, in the eleventh month of the last year of their wanderings.

• The first discourse (1-4:40) recapitulates the chief events of the last forty years in the wilderness, with earnest exhortations to obedience to the divine ordinances, and warnings against the danger of forsaking the God of their fathers.
• The second discourse (5-26:19) is in effect the body of the whole book. The first address is introductory to it. It contains practically a recapitulation of the law already given by God at Mount Sinai, together with many admonitions and injunctions as to the course of conduct they were to follow when they were settled in Canaan.
• The concluding discourse (ch. 27-30) relates almost wholly to the solemn sanctions of the law, the blessings to the obedient, and the curse that would fall on the rebellious. He solemnly adjures them to adhere faithfully to the covenant God had made with them, and so secure for themselves and their posterity the promised blessings.

Deuteronomy 1
1-8 - Events at Horeb Recalled

• Words of Moses spoken to all Israel beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab
• Beginning at Horeb, the LORD said: "You have stayed long enough at this mountain...Go...take possession of the land that I swore...to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob...."

9-18 - Appointment of Tribal Leaders

• When Moses could not handle all the responsibilities of leadership
• Cautioned judges to judge fairly, without partiality

19-33 - Israel's Refusal to Enter the Land

• On reaching Kadesh Barnea, Moses wanted them to take possession of the hill country of the Amorites
• Exploratory group of 12 -- one from each tribe -- reported back that it was a good land
• In spite of Moses' assurances that with God's help, they could conquer the land, they grumbled and accused God of hating them and refused to go in.

34-45 - Penalty for Rebellion

• Angry, God sent Israelites back into the wilderness, promising that only Joshua and Caleb would enter the land
• Repentant, the Israelites tried to go again, this time after God told them not to, and they were soundly defeated.

Deuteronomy 2
1-25 - The Desert Years

• Out of Kadesh, God told them to go north, but not to interfere with the land of Seir, because he had promised that land to the descendants of Esau.
• Next they headed for Moab, but God told them not to harass Moab, because he had given that land to the descendants of Lot. (History about the people of that land inserted here.)
  
• After 38 years in the desert, they crossed over the Wadi Zered. All the original warriors had perished by then.
• They were not to do battle with the Ammonites, because God had given that land to the descendants of Lot.
• However, after crossing the Wadi Arnon, they could do battle with King Sihon of the Amorites and to take possession there.
• Much more study needed on this -- to compare it with the Numbers narrative. It seems details are given here in this summary that were not there, and of course vice versa.

26-37 - Defeat of King Sihon

• Moses offered to pass through Sihon's land peaceful, but "the LORD your God had hardened his spirit and made his heart defiant," and Sihon refused
• Israelites defeated Sihon, killing everyone, but taking livestock as spoil
• However, they did not bother the Ammonites, as God has instructed

Psalm 40:1-10 - Prayer of Thanksgiving for Deliverance
What a change in tone from Psalm 39!
3 - "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God."
9 - "I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips."