Blessings Because of God’s Grace

Moses: ¹ “Listen (hear), O Israel! Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much greater and more powerful (mightier, stronger) than you. They live in cities with walls that reach to the sky! ² The people are strong and tall—descendants of the famous Anakite giants. You have heard the saying, ‘Who can stand up to the Anakites?’ ³ But recognize today that the LORD your God is the One who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD has promised.

⁴ After the LORD your God has done this for you, do not say in your hearts (minds), ‘The LORD has given us this land because we are such good (righteous) people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that He is pushing them out of your way.” ⁵ It is not because you are so good (righteous) or have such integrity (uprightness) that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness and to fulfill the oath (promise) He swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ⁶ You must recognize that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land because you are good (righteous), for you are not—you are a stubborn (stiff-necked) people. Deuteronomy 9:1-6 (NLT)

In Deuteronomy 9, Moses continues his history lesson to a new generation of Israelites on the border of God’s Promised Land. From a historical standpoint, Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11 is a travel narrative much like Deuteronomy 1:6-3:29. As before, Moses repeatedly urges Israel’s faithfulness and obedience to the living God (Deuteronomy 9:1; see also Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 6:4). A new generation of Israelites was about to cross the Jordan River and begin to defeat and overthrow nations much greater and more powerful than they were (Deuteronomy 9:1; see also Deuteronomy 4:38). Even more, Israel would have to defeat nations living in high walled cities and among the people were the strong and tall descendants of the famous Anakite giants (Deuteronomy 9:2; see also Numbers 13:22, 28-29, 33; Deuteronomy 1:28). The Anakites were large people, and Goliath was probably a descendant of these giants, who stood over nine feet tall (see also 1 Samuel 17:4-7).

By human sight, Israel was facing an impossible challenge. Sadly, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian bondage did not trust and believe in the LORD God Almighty, when they heard about the giants and the walled cities in God’s Promised land (Deuteronomy 9:1-2; see also Numbers 13:26-33; Deuteronomy 1:26-28). Moses encouraged Israel not to live by sight and fear but by faith in their God because He would fight for and protect Israel (Deuteronomy 1:29-31; see also Habakkuk 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). The LORD God of Israel is the God of gods and Lord of lords, and He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God (e.g., see Deuteronomy 7:21; Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 136:1-3; Daniel 2:47). What is impossible for humans are never impossible with the living God (e.g., see Jeremiah 32:27; Zechariah 8:6; Matthew 19:26). The Name of the LORD is strong and mighty (see 1 Samuel 17:45). The battle was the Lord’s battle (see 1 Samuel 17:47). Everything is possible with God for those who believes and obeys Him (see Mark 9:23; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; Luke 18:27). By themselves and their limited resources, Israel had no possibility of conquering the land, but with God’s power, everything is possible (see Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:22-26). Without faith in Him, it is impossible to please the living God (see Hebrews 11:6). For everyone that comes to God must believe that He exists and that He graciously rewards everyone that wholeheartedly seek, love, and obey Him (see also 1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 29:11-14).

Therefore, Moses encouraged Israel not to be afraid or fearful. The LORD God Almighty was going ahead of His people as a strong, consuming, and devouring fire (Deuteronomy 9:3; see also Exodus 15:7; Deuteronomy 31:3-6). The living God is a devouring fire and not even a giant could stand up Him (see Deuteronomy 4:24, 35-36; Hebrews 12:29). Even more, Moses proclaimed to Israel that the LORD God Almighty would destroy these great and powerful nations living in walled cities and defeat the strong and tall Anakite giants (Deuteronomy 9:3; see also Exodus 23:31; Deuteronomy 4:35-39; Deuteronomy 7:23-24). The living God would defeat Israel’s giants so that Israel could quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD promised their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Deuteronomy 9:3, 5). Truly, unbelief is the chief and root of many sins and problems and cause people to look everywhere but to God for their help and guidance (see Psalms 81:6-12; Psalm 95:8-11; Psalm 106:13-20; Hebrews 3:12).

However, Moses warned Israel that when the LORD God defeats their enemies and the giants, Israel must not say in their hearts and minds, “It is because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to possess this land” (Deuteronomy 9:4, ESV). Moses proclaimed repeatedly to Israel that the living God was defeating their enemies and giants not because of their goodness or righteousness but because of the wickedness and evil of the other nations and His promises to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:4-6; see also Deuteronomy 8:10-18). Thus, Israel did not earn God’s Promised Land because the wicked nations forfeited their rights to the land. Once again, Moses reminded Israel of God’s goodness, grace, and divine love. Just like believers’ salvation, the Promised Land was a gift from the living God to Israel and not a reward for their righteousness (Deuteronomy 9:4-5; see also Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Moses was making clear to Israel (and the church) that all people are wicked and undeserving of God’s grace (see also Romans 3:9, 19, 23-24). God had graciously promised Abraham to give him and his descendants the land of Canaan – the Promised Land (see Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15:7-21). God is faithful to keep His promises (see Deuteronomy 7:9; 2 Corinthians 1:20). Even with His grace, the living God still reminded Israel that they must carefully do and obey His commandments — to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to Him and to hold fast to Him and He would defeat their enemies and giants (e.g., see Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Deuteronomy 11:1, 22-25). If Israel obeyed Him and His moral commandments, the living God promised Israel that no one would be able to stand against them (see Deuteronomy 11:25).

Moses reminded the new generation of Israelites of the first generation’s repeated rebellion, wickedness, and stubbornness towards the living God and His moral commandments – the covenant (Deuteronomy 9:6-12, 22-24; see also Psalm 106:6-71 Corinthians 10:1-14). Sadly, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian bondage repeatedly disobeyed and rebelled against the living God and His covenant expectations – the Ten Commandments (see Deuteronomy 9:6-8). The LORD God’s finger personally wrote His covenant – the Ten Commandments – on the stone tablets for Israel (and the church) to obey (Deuteronomy 9:9-11, 15; see also Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1, 27-28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 5:22; Deuteronomy 10:1-4; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6). God’s personal attention to the covenant, that is, the Ten Commandments, underscores the fundamental importance of the entire covenant relations. The true and living God had called Israel (and now the church) to live wholly devoted to Him and free from adultery, sexual immorality, murder, falsehood, theft, greed, jealousy, drunkenness, anger, covetousness, and envy because these actions are improper for God's holy people (see Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 32:35; Matthew 19:16-19; Romans 12:9-21; Romans 13:8-10).

However, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian were unthankful of God’s grace, repeatedly rebelled against the living God, worshipped an idol – the golden calf, and did not trust in God’s faithfulness and goodness (Deuteronomy 9:7, 12-13, 16, 22-24; see also Exodus 32:1-35; Psalm 106:13-33; Hebrews 3:7-12). During their march from Egyptian slavery to the border of God’s Promised Land at Kadesh-Barnea, Israel visibly saw the mighty and powerful hand of the living God to defeat the Egyptians and meet their every need (e.g., see Deuteronomy 32:7-12; Psalm 106:8-12). At Taberah, the people complained to God about their “hardships” in the wilderness, and God sent fire that consumed some of the people on the outskirts of the camp (see Numbers 11:1-3). Then at Massah, Israel complained to God and Moses because they were thirsty, so Moses struck the rock and God provided Israel water (see Exodus 17:1-7). At Kibroth Hattaavah, Israel became weary of God’s miracle food from heaven – the manna and craved meat to eat (see Numbers 11:4-6). The living God miraculous sent flocks of quail over the camp of Israel to feed His people meat (see Numbers 11:31-34). Finally, Moses reminded Israel of the great failure at Kadesh-Barnea where they failed to trust in the living God’s power and obey His voice to enter into His good Promised Land (Deuteronomy 9:23-24; see also Numbers 13:1-14:38; Deuteronomy 1:26-40).

Because of Israel’s repeated idolatry and rebellion, God wanted to destroy all of Israel, blot out their name from under heaven, and begin a new mighty nation with Moses (Deuteronomy 9:8, 13-14, 19; see also Exodus 32:9-10; Numbers 14:11-12). However, Moses refused God’s offer to begin a new nation with him (Deuteronomy 9:14; see also Numbers 14:12). Instead, Moses placed the glory of God and the good of Israel ahead of personal promotion and fame (see Deuteronomy 9:27-28). Moses was more concerned with the glory of God and God’s reputation before the nations, for he knew that the fear of God had to go before Israel if they were to conquer the land and claim their inheritance (see Deuteronomy 9:29). In fact, Moses was willing to die for the people rather than see God destroy Israel (see Exodus 32:31-34; Numbers 12:7; Hebrews 3:2, 5). A true shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (see John 10:11).

Moses interceded and prayed to the living God forty days and nights to forgive Israel’s sin and wickedness (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25; see also Exodus 32:10-11, 30-33; Exodus 34:28, 31-32). During his prayers and intercession, Moses reminded the living God that Israel was His special inheritance and treasure saved from Egypt by His mighty power and glorious strength (Deuteronomy 9:26, 29; see also Exodus 32:12-13; Deuteronomy 4:34). Moreover, Moses reminded God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and to overlook Israel’s sins (see Deuteronomy 9:27-28). The living God listened to Moses’ prayers and intercession, forgave Israel’s sins, and did not destroy Israel (Deuteronomy 9:19-20; Deuteronomy 10:10; see also Exodus 32:14). Truly, the living God listens to the prayers of the righteous and humble (e.g., see Genesis 18:23-32; 2 Kings 4:33; Psalm 145:18-19; Proverbs 15:8, 29; James 5:16).

Despite Moses’ faithfulness, Jesus is counted as better than Moses (see Hebrews 3:3). Jesus has also taught His disciples that we “should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1; see also Luke 11:5-8; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) because Jesus Himself is “at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (see Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1). Jesus is truly our perfect prayer partner – the Friend, who intercedes for us at the right hand of God (see 1 Timothy 2:5). Likewise, as believers of Jesus, God sends believers of Jesus the Holy Spirit who also intercedes for us through wordless groans (Romans 8:26-27; see also John 14:15-16). Thus, the Jesus the Son of God and the Holy Spirit are interceding with believers with the Father, the LORD GOD Almighty.

Then, the living God instructed Moses to cut two more stone tablets like the first ones, and God also instructed Moses to make a wooden Ark — a sacred chest — to keep the covenant, which is the Ten Commandments or Testimony (Deuteronomy 10:1, 3; see also Exodus 34:1-2; Hebrews 9:4). Moses returned to the mountaintop of Mount Sinai (Horeb), and the living God rewrote on the stone tablets the same Ten Commandments that were on the first tablets Moses previously smashed, and Moses placed the covenant inside the Ark (Deuteronomy 10:2-5; see also Exodus 24:12; Exodus 25:10, 16, 21; Exodus 34:4, 28; Exodus 40:20-21; 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chronicles 5:10). These were the same Ten Commandments the living God gave Moses from the heart of the fire at Mount Sinai (Horeb) (Deuteronomy 10:4; see also Exodus 20:1; Deuteronomy 9:10).

Then, the LORD God commanded Moses to appoint and set apart the tribe of Levi as priests (Deuteronomy 10:8-9; see also Deuteronomy 18:1). The living God instructed the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark containing the Ten Commandments of God, to stand before Him as His ministers to perform His work, and to pronounce blessings in His Name (Deuteronomy 10:8-9; see also Numbers 3:6-10; Numbers 8:14; Deuteronomy 18:5, 7). Because of Levi’s ministry responsibilities to the living God, the tribe of Levi never received an inheritance of land in the Promised Land as the other tribes of Israel (see also Deuteronomy 18:1-2). Instead, the living God became Levi’s inheritance, and God set apart Levi’s tribe to serve Him (Deuteronomy 10:9; see also Numbers 3:11-12; Numbers 18:20-24).

In the New Testament, Apostle Paul used Israel’s desert experience to remind the church the importance of our wholehearted faithfulness, thankfulness, and obedience to the living God (1 Corinthians 10:1-14; see also Deuteronomy 9:7-8, 11-12, 16). Like Moses’ farewell address to a new generation of Israelites, the Apostle Paul did not want the church to make the same mistakes as the first generation of Israelites living Egyptian slavery. The living God graciously and miraculously parted the Red Sea to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-2), and then supernaturally fed Israel manna and water in the wilderness (see 1 Corinthians 10:3-4). Despite God grace and goodness, many of the Israelites rebelled against God by worshiping a golden calf (1 Corinthians 10:7; see also Exodus 32:4-6, 19); engaging in sexuality immorality (1 Corinthians 10:8; see also Numbers 25:1-9); and failed to give God’s thanksgiving for His blessings (1 Corinthians 10:9-10; e.g., see also Numbers 11:1-6; Numbers 21:4-7). Because of Israel’s repeated sin and rebellion, God severely punished Israel (see 1 Corinthians 10:5). The Apostle Paul warned the church that what happened in these Old Testament settings with Israel should be “examples” or a “warning” to believers of Jesus today (see 1 Corinthians 10:1, 6, 11-13). Therefore, the Apostle Paul rebuked the church flee from idolatry and sinful cravings, and wholehearted follow God (1 Corinthians 10:14; see also 1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 John 5:21).  

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Merrill, Eugene H. New American Commentary: Deuteronomy (Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing Group, 1994).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – Old Testament (Victor Books, 1989).