You stand on the plains of Moab, on the banks of the Jordan river. The river is flowing by swiftly, the heights are rising sharply across the way, and the sun is shining. Excitement is in the air as the prophet is about to speak ...
Background to the speech which we call the Book of Deuteronomy
You are Jokshan – You watched your dad live with regret for 34 years – such a proud man tracing your roots back to Joseph through Ephraim. You saw a change in his attitude toward God, though, in the years in Paran. He grew from one who was impatient and critical to one who was a planner and hard worker. He knew that he would never make it to this day, but his whole life seemed focused upon it – because, as he often said, "Adonai has promised, my son". He wanted better for you and, to that end, he taught you the real meaning of being a Man of Yahweh (not a man of war).
Your cousin and best friend is Machir from the tribe of Manasseh. You are not sure why he is here today, because he already has his land which Adonai promised – a nice section staked out for his homestead right outside the town of Ashtaroth. A braver soldier you will not find. With Machir at your side, you feel like you can accomplish whatever you may be called upon to do in the battles before you now.
Now you are standing near the river with your own son Abijah on your shoulders and your young wife, Ziza at your side. Moses is just about to begin speaking and you are getting tired of having the boy on your shoulders for now, so you put him down on the ground right there at your feet. There is not much room for your family, but you are grateful to be this close to be able to hear Moses' passionate words. As Moses begins, you're thinking, funny, he is speaking with such power! His brother Aaron used to be the one to actually speak to your people because the rumor was that Moses was really a poor speaker? Hmmm...
You are Ziza – You sit at your husband's feet as he places Abijah with you. You glance up at him and your eyes meet with a smile. Your heart is filled with an unusual mix of peace and anxious anticipation. Here is your childhood sweetheart, Jokshan. You are glad the recent battles are over and that he returned without a scratch. Now it is time for the men to cross the river. You and your friends and their children will stay on this side, encamped just up into the hills.
Jokshan; he is so strong and confident, a real leader among men - A tender man with heart. He is so different from your father. Dad was one of those who murmured and died, complaining in the wilderness. You remember how unsafe and insecure you felt growing up – a real contrast to the security and safety you now feel. Even now, as you face parting with Jokshan for weeks and weeks, you somehow know that it will be ok.
Jokshan has helped you to direct your attention and hope upon Adonai by his own example. Adonai has been breathing a new strength into you which you are finding exhilarating. Now, as Moses begins, you listen and pray, eager to obey.
Moses begins ...
"The LORD our God said to us in Horeb, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negeb and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.' "
(Deuteronomy 1:6-8)
Numbers, Leviticus & Deuteronomy
