Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 1: God remains faithful amid unbelief

Begin in prayer

Before we read how Moses recalls God's faithfulness and Israel's unbelief, let us bring our fears before the Lord. Ask Him to expose the lies we believe about Him and to help our family listen with faith.

Yes, no one who waits for you shall be shamed. They shall be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Psalm 25:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us Your faithful care and our need of Jesus. Turn us from unbelief and make us more like Your Son. Please bless our family with hearts ready to hear You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

In the fortieth year, Moses speaks to Israel in Moab, east of the Jordan. He recalls God's command to leave Horeb and possess the land promised to their fathers. The growing nation received judges who must hear great and small alike. Yet at Kadesh Barnea the people rejected the good land and accused the LORD of hating them. God excluded that generation, while promising the land to Caleb, Joshua and the little ones. When the people fought against His warning, the Amorites chased them like bees, and the LORD did not hear their weeping.

As you read Deuteronomy 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God is faithful, and unbelief rejects His good gifts.

Moses speaks in Moab as Israel prepares to enter the land after forty years. The eleven day journey from Horeb to Kadesh makes those lost years stand out. Distance had never been the greatest obstacle. Israel had seen the LORD carry them through the wilderness, yet they accused Him of hatred. Even the fruit brought back from Eshcol confirmed that His gift was good. Their refusal therefore denied the goodness they had already received. God's sentence excluded that generation, while His promise continued through Caleb, Joshua and the little ones. The God who bore them as a man bears his son is the God who later sent His own Son for sinners.

How does Deuteronomy 1 show us that God is faithful, and unbelief rejects His good gifts?

God had already shown Israel His faithful care.

The nation had grown as numerous as the stars, just as God had promised. Moses needed wise judges because the people were now so many. Those judges must hear the foreigner and the Israelite fairly, since judgment belongs to God.

Israel said God hated them, though He had carried them.

The people murmured in their tents that the LORD had brought them out to destroy them. Moses answered with the care they had seen in Egypt and the wilderness. Their fear became rebellion when they refused the God who went before them.

God kept His word when He judged rebellion.

Caleb would receive the land because he followed the LORD wholly. God was angry with Moses for the people's sake and said that he would not go in. Joshua would lead Israel in, and the little ones would possess the land. The others tried to fight after God forbade it, and their defeat exposed their presumption.

Memorise

Yahweh your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the sky for multitude.

Deuteronomy 1:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what fears make me doubt the goodness of God shown in Jesus?

Israel said, “Because Yahweh hated us,” even after He bore them as a man bears his son. Their accusation turned His kindness into a reason for distrust. The lost years call us to hear His word while it is spoken.

Jesus trusted His Father through the wilderness and through suffering. We have questioned God and disobeyed Him. At the cross Christ carried His people's sin and endured its judgment. The Father raised His Son to life, and His completed sacrifice is enough to reconcile sinners to God.

Turn from your unbelief and trust Jesus Christ. His mercy welcomes every repentant believer with forgiveness. The faithful God who kept His promise to Israel has given His Son, so rest your hope on Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's kindness makes unbelief serious, and that Jesus saves those who trust Him. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His faithfulness, and bring your fears and the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so please give each one room to speak if they want to.

We see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 3:19

Lord God, thank You for the faithful care Israel received. Please forgive our distrust and lead each of us to repent and believe in Jesus. When we are afraid this week, help us remember Your Word and obey what You say. Amen.