With the LORD as He has been with Us
The children had been led out of Egyptian bondage. Three months later, they came to the new promised land and the LORD said to go up and take it for He had delivered it into their hands (Numbers 13). They, however, did not believe that they had to ability to take the land even though the LORD had already given it to them. So, they refused to go in (Numbers 14).
Their refusal led to the consequence that they were forced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until all those over the age of 20 who had refused to enter the land had died (Numbers 14). The next generation would be given the chance to do what that generation refused to do.
When they returned to the land 40 years later, more changes were about to take place. Moses, who had led them on this entire journey from Egypt, was not going to be allowed to enter the promised land (Deuteronomy 31:2). He had failed to give glory to the LORD in the matter of obtaining water from a rock the second time (Numbers 27:14). Now, Joshua was going to assume command.
Moses gave Joshua and the people 2 words of instruction as he assumed his new role as leader of the people. “The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said.” (Deuteronomy 31:3).
He, then, explained what He would do. Moses reminded them what the LORD had done for them conquering the Kings Sihon and Og (Numbers 21). They had a responsibility to do to those nations all that the LORD would command as they carried out His vengeance on those heathen nations. Therefore, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
His other words to them were these. “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release at the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in t he land which you cross the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 31:10-13).
The message was: Be with the LORD as He has been with you. Learn from how He has been with you to know the definition of what it means to be with Him. That is a tall order since He has been unwavering and committed to us for our whole lives. Will we follow Moses’ words for ourselves?
— Mike Johnson
