"Moses' First Address: Lessons In The Wilderness"
Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Lesson 4

These Bible study outlines were written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author.  It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite. Dr. Willmouth states: "These Outlines were prepared for our Sunday Evening Bible Study, as a 2 page handout (front & back), at Trinity Bible Church, Biloxi, Mississippi."

 

Notes

The webservant of bibleteacher.org began using these excellent studies in our local Bible study group. Any additional notes added by bibleteacher.org as a result of this independent study will be marked and enclosed by this type of table.  This way the original work of Pastor Willmouth will in no way be modified.

I. Lessons In Sovereignty And Faithfulness (2:1-23).
1. The Edomites (2:1-8; Num.20:14-21).

A. Israel obeys God's command (1:40) to return to the wilderness area between Kadesh and Seir, which was probably in the area south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqabah (v.1).
B. The people had spent the time the Lord had decreed on the nation as punishment for disobedience at Kadesh, so the Lord said that they had gone around the hill country of Seir long enough and it was time to move on (vv.2-3).
C. They approached the Edomite lands that were promised to Esau and his descendants, so the Lord commanded the Israelites not to make war on their Edomite relatives (vv. 4-8).

1) They were not to take their land or anything in it, but they were allowed to buy with "silver" food to eat and water to drink (v. 6).

A) Prior to this time the Israelites had lived off the land (v.7).
B) The Lord had supplied manna and other food and water as needed.
C) Manna did not completely cease until the day after the first celebration of the Passover at Gilgal in Canaan under Joshua (Josh 5:10-12). It may have been gradually phased out (Ex.16:35).

2) Verse 8 simply picks up the journey again.

A. The Lord now tells them not to attack the Moabites because they were descendants of Lot, and he had given them the land they controlled (v.9-12).

1) Some feel the verse 10-12 were added later as a explanatory note.
2) Or these verses could be simply making the point that just as the Moabites and as Esau's descendants drove out formidable enemies, likewise God could give Canaan to Israel, regardless of the opposition they would face.

B. It took 38 years for Israel to pass from Kedesh-Barnea to the brook Zered: until God's judgment was complete upon the nation's men of war (2:13-18).
C. The nation is to cross over into Moab but it is an inheritance to the sons of Lot so they are not to fight the sons of Amman (2:19-23).

Application: This passage reminds us that God is totally sovereign over all the nations of the world and assigns their boundaries according to His will (2 Chron.20:6; Dan.4:35; Acts 17:26-28). Neither the Ammonites or Moabites deserved any of God's kindness, but the Lord sometimes blesses people because of their relationship to others. We also see God's faithfulness to His people in these verses as He didn't just abandon them because of their unfaithfulness. Instead, God continued to communicate His will and purpose with them, and guided their every step.
 

II. Lessons In Conflicts (2:24-3:11).

1. The defeat of Sihon (2:24-36).

A. Israel was refused passage by the Edomites (Num.20:18-21) even though Moses tried to reassure them that they were only trying to pass through to the other side of the Jordan (vv.24-31).

B. Sihon went out to make war against the Israelites, but God gave the Israelites a complete and total victory (vv.32-37).

- Israel, however, did not encroach on any of the Ammonite land, that the Lord expressly commanded them to avoid (v.37; v.19).

Application: Israel tried to avoid conflict, but the ways of this world are not always in accordance with God's ways. The total destruction of property and peoples may seem a bit harsh to us, but we must remember that any person or kingdom that is devoid of God will face the judgment of a Holy God. These battles also taught an important lesson in that all human efforts are vain if they are not grounded upon faith in God.

2. The defeat of Og (3:1-11).

A. In a battle with Og, the Lord delivers northern Bashon over to Israel and the king is vanquished (vv.1-7).

B. Moses described the whole area taken from the Amorite kings (vv.8-11).
C. This success was fixed in Israel's memory (Num 32:33; Josh 9:10; Psa 135:10-11; 136:18-22)

III. Lessons In Blessings (3:12-20).

1. ^{See Note Above}Moses allots the transjordan land including Gilead from Bashan in the north to the red sea in the south to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh (vv.12-17).

2. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh are told that the land is theirs for a possession, but the valiant men are to continue to fight with the nation until all of the land is possessed across the Jordan (vv.18-20).
 

Application: The land was given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh because they were herdsmen, and the territory was suitable for their livestock (Nem.32). This was a down payment for what the Lord would do for the rest of the tribes of Israel if they were faithful to enter into the promised land. Faithfulness to God brings blessings to those who obey.
 
 

Edification

FOCAL - Deuteronomy 3:19-20 "But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, (for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you; [20]  Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you." Though God gave land to Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, He demanded that they continue in battle with the rest of Israel until all Israel had gained the promised possession. Why? Because Israel was not a loose confederation of states, but was an institution created and blessed by God. It was a Body, a unit, and as such would be out of God's will if it broke up into smaller groups. A parallel to this in the New Testament is the Church of Jesus Christ. We are not independent nations, but : Members in GIFTS: Romans 12:4-5 "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5]  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Members in CARE: 1 Corinthians 12:24-26  " For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: [25]  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. [26]  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." Members in TRUTH: Ephesians 4:23-25  "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. [25]  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another." Because love is the primary motivator of God, and must be, must be the primary motivator of His people: 1 John 3:22-23 " And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. [23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." Because selfishness is the antithesis of Christ. He who is God, obeyed the Father rather than please Himself: Philippians 2:2-6  "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3]  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4]  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5]  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6]  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God"

IV. Lessons In Obedience (3:21-29).

1. Moses reminds Joshua of all the Lord has done so that he will not fear those in the land against whom the Lord will also fight (vv.21-22).

2. Moses mentions that he pleaded with the Lord to be allowed to enter the promised land, but he was forbidden except to see it form Mit. Pisgah (vv.23-27).
 

God's Accountability

FOCAL - Deuteronomy 3:26  "But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter." Why was Moses refused entrance into the Promised Land? There are perhaps several reasons: Selfishness leads to unanswered prayer. Moses was selfish when he struck the Rock (Numbers 20:7-13) rather than speak to the Rock as God demanded. James 4:2-3  "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. [3]  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" Leaders are also under a greater accountability before God, and Moses failed God at Kadesh: Hebrews 13:17  "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Pride leads to unanswered prayer. Moses said, "Must we bring you water out of this Rock", then struck the Rock.  Job 35:12-13  "There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men. [13]  Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it." But, perhaps more simply, it was just God's Will that Joshua now lead Israel rather than Moses and Aaron, and for this reason He rejected Moses' plea: 1 John 5:14  "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us"

3. Moses was also told to strengthen Joshua as his replacement, while they were at the valley opposite of Beth-Poor, to take the people into the land to give them the inheritance (vv.28-29).
 

Application: While we may be faithful in our service to the Lord, it doesn't mean that we are not accountable for the sins that we may have committed in our lives. Our sins have a direct impact upon our ministry, and what the Lord will allow us to do.

I. Hear And Obey God's Word (vv.1-14).
 

Focal And Illustration

FOCAL - Deuteronomy 4:1 "Now therefore hearken, (shama`  shaw-mah', hear intelligently) O Israel, unto the statutes choq  khoke, laws, ordinances) and unto the judgments, (mishpat  mish-pawt', verdict, judicial decree) which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.  God's Word is given to bless, not to curse - thus we must not adulterate it with our own word. It took John Newton to write the hymn Amazing Grace. "Let me not fail to praise that grace that could pardon," he said, "such sins as mine." Newton had gone to sea at age 11, apprenticed on his father's ship. He spent his teen years learning to be profane, irreligious, and indulgent. Female slaves being transported from Africa were at Newton's disposal, and even seasoned sailors were alarmed at his corruption. Newton's life angered his father and disgusted his friends, and he was finally pressed into service for the British Navy. He deserted, but was arrested, stripped, and flogged. He became the property of a slave trader in Sierra Leone, who gave him to his sadistic mistress. John became a loathsome toy she tormented for over a year. He finally boarded ship for Britain. On March 9, as he carelessly read a Christian book to pass the time, the thought came to him, "What if these things are true?" He snapped the book closed and shook off the question. I went to bed in my usual indifference, but was awakened by a violent sea which broke on us. Much of it came down below and filled the cabin where I lay. This alarm was followed by a cry that the ship was going down. We had immediate recourse to the pumps, but the water increased against all our efforts. Almost every passing wave broke over my head. I expected that every time the vessel descended into the sea, she would rise no more. I dreaded death now, and my heart foreboded the worst, if the Scriptures, which I had long since opposed, were true. The vessel survived the March 10, 1748 storm, and Newton began earnestly studying the Bible. He embraced Christ and eventually entered the ministry, becoming one of England's best loved preachers and a leader in the fight against slavery. He once recalled, That tenth of March is a day much remembered by me; and I have never suffered it to pass unnoticed since the year 1748 - the Lord came from on high and delivered me out of deep waters. FOCAL - Deuteronomy 4:2  "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. [6]  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Revelation 22:18-19  "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: [19]  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

1. Moses calls for Israel to pay attention (vv.1-2).

A. ^{see Scripture above}The verb "to hear" is used nearly 100 times in this book, and carries the idea of paying attention, understanding, and obeying (v.1a).
B. Hearing and obeying the Word of God was Israel's very life, and their response would determine their outcome (v.1b).
C. Moses adds a warning against changing The Word (v.2; Prov.30:6; Gal.3:15; Rev.22:18-19).
D. The illustration of Baal Peor (bay'uhl-pee' or) (vv.3-8).

1) Moses referred to Baal Peor in Moab to give an illustration from Israel's own history to make the point that their lives depended upon them obeying God's Law.
2) 24,000 Israelites who disobeyed God's Word and committed adultery with the Moabite women died, but those who obeyed lived (Num.25:1-9).

2. Moses calls for Israel to remember (vv.9-14).

A. Moses gives the Israelites a strong admonition to guard themselves from falling into sin and, to warn their offspring of what they have seen of God so that they also would not depart from His ways (v.9).
B. Moses' illustration of this principle from the experience at Horeb (vv.10-14).

1) Moses recalled for his listeners the supernatural circumstances of the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai and the establishment of the covenant (vv.10-13).
2) From this experience the Israelites should have learned to fear God, and to keep His commands (v.14).

Application: Two very important truths are presented in these verses for believers in any age: The first is the importance of God's Word in a Believer's life, and how they are to respond to it. The second truth is the importance of training up our children in God's ways so that they don't fall into the same sinful traps that we have experienced. It's been said that, "every church is only one generation from closing its doors."
 

II. Warning Against Idolatry (vv.15-31).
1. Moses warns the Israelites not to make any image of God (vv.15-20).

A. First of all they didn't know what God even looked like to be able to make an image, and if they did, they would end up worshiping their creation instead of the Creator (v.15).
B. They were not to make ANY IMAGE because it would only lead to idolatry (vv.16-19).
C. Only God delivered them out of Egypt, and He alone was worthy of Worship (v.20).

2. Moses uses himself as an example of what happens when someone doesn't obey God (vv.21-24).

A. God would not allow Moses to enter into the Promised Land because he had not obeyed God's commands (vv.21-22).
B. Moses warns the nation not to make images, because it would break their covenant with God, which would bring judgment upon them (vv.23-24).

A. God made a covenant with Israel and expected them to keep it, so Moses warned the people of the consequences of breaking their covenant (vv.25-26).

1) Moses warns them not to forget their covenant with God lest they provoke God to anger (v.25).
2) He tells them what would happen if they did break God's covenant (v.26)

B. Moses gives a prophecy of this very thing happening to the nation, because of the failure to obey God's Word (vv.27-31).

Application: God, alone, is only worthy of worship, and we shouldn't allow anything to come between us and God. We are also reminded of the consequences of our unfaithfulness. God doesn't show favoritism, all believers are responsible and accountable to God for their actions (whether good or bad). We would do well to notice the many examples the Scriptures provide to motivate us not to make the same mistakes.
 

III. God Alone Is Lord (vv.32-43).

1. Moses reminds them of God's history, from creation to Israel's deliverance, to point out there is only one true God, and He is the God of Israel (vv.32-38).

2. Moses affirms that He is the only God and is to be obeyed for life in the Promised Land (vv.39-40).
 

Memory Of The Past In Growth

FOCAL - Deuteronomy 4:32-33 "For ask ([sha'al shaw-al' or sha'el shaw-ale'], Qal Imperative = inquire so as to demand an answer from) now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? [33]  Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?" There are several truths in view in this text that are applicable to the Christian walk.  Meditation and Focus on Christ Moses, as inspired by God, reminds Israel of their blessing by God, and demands that they meditate on all that God has done for them up to this point. In the midst of your hectic day, your daily routine, do you ever pause and reflect on all that God has done for you? Too often we forget all that He has done for us, feeling we are unblessed and unloved - yet if we would pause and reflect on all that He has done we would come out of that "blue" mindset. The Apostle Peter told the Church: 2 Peter 1:10-16  "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: [11]  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [12] Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. [13]  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; [14]  Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. [15]  Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. [16] For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." When Peter looked back over his life, as he came to the end of his road, he was certainly aware of the mistakes he had made along the way. He certainly remembered them, remembered abandoning Jesus after the Garden, remembered making the foolish decision that "true Christians had to be circumcised", for which Paul rebuked him (Galatians 2:11  "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed"). The remembrance of his failures made him more wary of sin in his life, but he did not obsess on this, for this was not the source of his strength. His strength was in remembering (1) "power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ", what Jesus did for us who are His people, and in remembering (2) that we have been called and set apart by this same Lord Jesus, just as He set apart Israel in the Old Testament. Psalms 103:2-5  "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: [3]  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; [4]  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; [5]  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's" FOCAL - Deuteronomy 4:35-36  "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. [36]  Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire" God wanted Israel to remember that God called them out of Abraham, out of a small seed, and by His might grew them into a great nation. Had it not been for God,  Israel, had it ever been, would have been insignificant. Yet because of God and His great Grace Israel was a nation promised a great land and a great place in the eternal Plan of God. These mighty blessings were undeserved, unearned, but given by a loving God to an undeserving nation. In the same way, the Christian is one who has been made "to hear his voice" at the point of salvation, and who has answered that undeserved and unearned call to salvation. Jesus Christ placed Himself "in harm's way" for us. We, like Peter, need to remember this, to bring it to mind. FOCAL - Deuteronomy 4:37-40 "And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt; [38]  To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day. [39] Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. [40]  Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever." And a parallel text in the Pauline writings states: Romans 8:31-32  "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32]  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

3. Moses closes his first message with the setting apart of three cities of refuge (vv.41-43).

A. These were located on the East side of the Jordan.
B. They were for people who accidentally killed somebody so that they could have a place to flee where they could find justice and protection (this subject is dealt with in more detail in 19:1-14).