A Call to Faithfulness

Deuteronomy 1:19-42

Overview of Deuteronomy. The word Deuteronomy means second law. It’s the last book of the Jewish Torah and written by Moses. Most scholars agree that the last chapter, ch. 34 was written by possibly Joshua, but Moses had passed away before this was written. This book conveys the events of Numbers and Joshua. This would have been Moses’ last words to the Israelites before his passing.

Themes: a. Obedience brings blessings, disobedience brings hardships, b. Display of the covenant and how it should be taught. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy in Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13 when He was tempted by Satan. Christ is seen in the shadows of Deuteronomy. He is the Passover Lamb (16:1), He is the coming Prophet (18:18), We see the coming of the New Covenant which is through Jesus Christ written on the hearts of the believers, instead of on stone tablets. Deuteronomy is a very important book to examine. It has a thorough view of the doctrine of God I pray that we will receive a great blessing from this book this fall.    

Date written: Possibly before 1406 BC

In Chapter 1 we see that the people of God led by Moses journeyed 11 days from Horeb (Mt. Sinai area) to Kadesh-barnea (the Canaanite border) in the 11th month of the year. (Map provided on power-point) This would have been July through August on the Jewish calendar. Leaders are appointed and spies are sent to scope out the land that God had promised. Moses is reflecting upon the past mistake to remind and encourage the Israelites to be faithful.

I. We Must Ask the Lord Specifically What We Should Do (vv.19-25)
a. We may not ask, because the answer is often beyond our comfort zone. Share Christ with a neighbor, friend, loved one, or co-worker. Go on a mission trip. Give money to build, to missions, to a ministry.

– God has designed the impossible to be done for two reasons 1. So that Christ alone gets the glory. 2. So that we will be desperate for the work of Christ alone. Throughout the Bible God asked His people to do God sized things so that God alone gets the glory. God went to Moses, Moses said he couldn’t because he stuttered. “What is impossible by man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 “

b. If we ask, He is faithful to direct! Prayer is the most underutilized spiritual weapons that the Christian has, it must be used.
c. Do you care enough about God’s will to ask? We know some general must does that are mandates of Christ! The Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
d. God equips you with what you need to accomplish the task. He commands His people not to be afraid or discouraged. (v.21)
II. We Must Act with Sincerity (vv.26-33)

What causes us not to act?

a. Excuses v.28
b. Fear v.29 The Word is our sword and strength in times of fear. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
c. Self-Reliance vs. God’s Reassurance vv. 30-31 (We must reflect upon God’s faithfulness)
d. Disbelief vv. 32-33

III. We Must Accept the Serious Consequences of Our Actions (vv.34-46)

a.Respond through repentance
b. Resolve to become faithful

Application:

Repent from actions, attitudes, or self-centered ambitions that convey God as small, unable, or unfaithful. God is more than able and wants to use you as His instrument.