Pastor's Pen
January/February 2002

The book of Deuteronomy was taught at a very unique time in the journey of Israel. Israel had come to the end of their forty years of wandering; they were on the threshold of a new day or a new move. They were about to possess the land of promise – the land flowing with milk and honey. It is at this juncture that Moses gives his parting address and exhortations to Israel.

Indeed it was a juncture because Moses calls heaven to record their choice. If they would indeed possess the land, if they would indeed remain in the land and be blessed in it; then they must choose life. Moses puts the blessing and the cursing of law before them and he exhorts them from their past (and very recent failures), to choose the path that leads to life. In one of his sermon addresses, Israel listens in view of 24,000 recently dug graves: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Deut. 30:19.

Revivals are often short lived; in fact, scripture proves that God’s people seldom remain in the inheritance very long. [See Isa. 63:18] David only possessed Mount Zion for about ten years before his fall. Yet, the apostle Paul tells us that there is a glory that excels the glory that Moses had, and there is a glory that shall remain! That can only apply to the latter house, or the latter Church.

We who begin this twenty-first century have the promise and the advantage over any other generation. Not only do we have the examples of the Old and New Testaments, but also the past 2000 years of church history. The book of Deuteronomy is so relevant for us today because we find ourselves in this very similar scenario: We are looking back in retrospect and at the same time we are at the threshold of entering the promise of the ages. Reigning with our Joshua, (Yeshuah-Jesus) inheriting the earth! The message of Deuteronomy still rings: "…choose life!"

Miriam’s death at the onset of the fortieth year not only signaled the end of a generation, but it also marked the dawning of a new day. As you study the forty-year sojourn of Israel, you will find that all of their recorded history basically divides into the first two years, and the last year of their journey. The fortieth year was quite a remarkable year, especially in contrast to the to the thirty-eight monotonous years that preceded it. I have previously been of the opinion that the purpose of this year was to clear away the remnant of the generation that had failed the test at kadesh-Barnea, however closer examination forces me to make another conclusion.

The fortieth year actually became a test year to a new generation that had never really seen the power and the awesome judgements that their fathers had seen. You will notice the similarity of the trials and you will find all of the ten temptations repeated – the very ones that their fathers had failed. For example: the striking of the rock in [Num. 20] took place forty years after the striking of the rock in [Ex. 17]. They were miles apart, yet the circumstances that provoked the incident were the same! They were tested on their water, bread, and provision. They made similar comments about the manna, the impossibilities of entering the land, etc. They were tested in the areas of idolatry and morality. The same run of trials!

Not only was the fortieth year a qualifying year to the new generation, but it was a year that God began to show the new Israel what he could do. They witnessed the well springing up as the princes sang to it, they witnessed the healing power as they gazed upon the brass serpent. They witnessed victory after victory that year; so much so, that even Moses cried out: "O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. [Deut. 3:24-25]

Lord, You are stirring afresh, You’re beginning to move by Thy mighty hand… let Thy servant go into this land of promise. Moses recognized that this was just the beginning and that greater things were just ahead. However, this helps us to realize the temptation of stopping short of God’s best. Two and a half tribes got so caught up in the blessing of the ‘what’s happening now’ revival, that they took their inheritance on "this side of Jordon." Thus, they cut themselves off from the greater promises on the other side. (The Jordon, in a figure; speaks of the veil.)

The message that the wilderness teaches, is a never to be forgotten lesson. It is a message that every generation must experience in order to be the triumphant church. The wilderness is the qualifying place for those who hope for that better country. It is a place of dearth, a place of shortage, a place of pits, and snares and tests, it is a place where no man dwells, but beasts (demonic spirits, etc.) Obviously, this is a metaphor for the New Testament.

The last day church must enter into all that our spiritual fathers saw from a distance, or experienced in a figure. What they had was more in substance [framework] than in evidence. We must see the final outcome to complete the acts of faith! God is making great grace available to all that will receive it. Let us take heed to the warnings and the spiritual insights of this book, that we might also be partaker’s of all of the blessings that we are destined to receive. (See Heb. 11:39-40)