Feb 20th

The wilderness generation is condemned because they do not have faith in God, even after everything he has shown them. God performed many miracles in Egypt and in their exodus to the wilderness; however, as soon as they grow frustrated with their food, they begin to complain and doubt in God again. The Israelites were given several attempts with God, but they consistently doubted him, leading to their eventual condemnation. Moses warns them not to go up and fight the Amorites, as they no longer have the Lord’s guidance, yet once again they do not listen and are killed. God commanded Moses to spread his laws to the Israelites and to instill His faith in them. Though Moses obeyed God by relaying His word to the Israelite people, the Israelites ultimately failed to trust in God. Through their failures, Moses failed and was not able to enter the promised land either.

The death of Moses at the end of the Pentateuch symbolizes a new era. Moses passes down God’s laws and the commandments to the next generation of Israelites, and his work is completed. After a long life on this Earth, there is nothing more Moses can do to bring the Israelites to the promised land. They must accomplish the final leg of the journey on their own. I think Moses’s death closes out the Pentateuch to show that the next chapter is beginning– one of the Israelites finally reaching the promised land and creating their own identity.

Deuteronomy 34 shows us that Joshua will be taking over for Moses in guiding the Israelites. However, we learn that Joshua will never be able to fully fill Moses’s shoes, “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (34:10). This implies that Joshua’s generation will have its share of trials and tribulations.