#43 Devarim (A New Beginning) (Dt. 1-3) (7-22-23)

(DEVARIM (Dt. 1-3) (A NEW BEGINNING) (7-22-23).

(DEVARIM: A 5 WEEK SERMON GIVEN BY MOSES! 'FOR A MAN THAT COULDN'T TALK, HE SAID A LOT!')

(DOES GOD REQUIRE CHANGE?)

(Deuteronomy 1:1)
“These are the words [Devarim] which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness.”

This week, we begin the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy), with the Torah Portion that is also called 'Devarim'. In this portion, Moses retells the wilderness Journey and reviews with all the people everything that The LORD had ordered them.
He begins with God’s directive at Horeb (Sinai), to get moving and take the Promised Land, which extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River, including the lands of Ammon, Moab, and Edom.

It is possible that the people were quite content not to move forward once they had received the Ten Commandments at Horeb (Mount Sinai). They were no longer under bondage, and HAD ALREADY BEEN SAVED and DELIVERED BY THE BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB, and the easiest thing to do would be to stay there.

Change can be difficult. It takes effort to enter into and cope with a new situation. But life is a journey. We are not meant to stand still and stagnate. We are meant to move forward.

Moses Prepares the Nation for Change

In this week's Portion, Devarim, we see that Moses is giving his parting words. In less than 40 days, he will die.

Moses will not be crossing the Jordan with the Israelites. So, he takes this opportunity to point the people towards The LORD and impress on this new generation the importance of listening to His instructions.

(Deuteronomy 1:30–31)
“The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a Father carries His Son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”
Although they will experience a change that will require great effort on their part, The LORD will be with them.

Likewise, when The LORD ordains a season of change for us, we can trust Him and confidently move forward.