LESSON 19 Moses Recalls Israel’s Wilderness Experience
Text: Deuteronomy 1:1-46; 2:1-37; 3:1-29; 4:1-49
The teachers often review past lessons a before introducing new ones. This is to help the students to remember the old and understand the new lessons easily. Moreover, if a pupil was absent in the previous class, he or she is helped and carried along through the revision of the previous lesson. Moses, the servant of God, got a divine instruction to rehearse or recall all that had happened since the children of Israel came out of Egypt on their journey to Canaan through the wilderness.
This review took place in the fortieth year after leaving Egypt on the first day of the eleventh month. It was after Moses had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites in Heshbon and Og, king of Bashan who seemed to have been the remaining barriers to the Promised Land before Jericho. It was the plan of God to take Israel to the Promised Land of Canaan. Moses recalled their history to make them s appreciate the goodness of God and s avoid the mistakes that hindered their fathers from enjoying the promises of
God. This study reveals to us the reasons for the recall and the lessons from the wilderness experiences. These will help us appreciate the faithfulness of God to Israel and to all children of e God at all time.
- RECALL OF ISRAEL’S WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE: Deuteronomy 1:1-46; 2:1-37; 3:1-29
The book of Deuteronomy opens with the review of the most remarkable wilderness experiences for the children of Israel. God delivered the children of Israel while Pharaoh and his army perished in the Red Sea. After this great deliverance, the children of Israel were to spend few weeks before entering the Promised Land. However, they rebelled against God and murmured against Moses. God was so angry with them that He made them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. This happened so that all the grown-ups that rebelled would not enter Canaan. They all perished in the wilderness. What a wasted generation!
Some of the notable events that occurred in the wilderness include: –
(a) Departure from Mount Horeb (Deuteronomy 1:6,7). This was where God gave them some specific instructions about their journey.
(b) Appointment of leaders (Deuteronomy 1:9-18). For effective control, Moses had to appoint leaders to help him.
(c) The sending of twelve spies to go and see Canaan and bring back reports (Deuteronomy 1:19- 25).
(d) The murmuring and rebellion that made the children of Israel to wander in the desert for about forty years (Deuteronomy 1:26-46).
(e) The rise and growth of new generation of Israel (Deuteronomy 2:1-25).
(f) The conquest of Sihon, king of Heshbon and Og, king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 2:26-37; 3:1-11).
(g) Encouragement of Joshua as he prepared to take over the leadership (Deuteronomy 3:21,22,28). Moses instructed Joshua not to fear other nations because they would be conquered as Sihon and Og were. The selection of the cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 4:41- 43). These events are to serve as lessons to us today. We must fear God and obey all His instructions promptly.
- REASONS FOR THE RECALL OF THEIR WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE:
Deuteronomy 4:1-10; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11
The major reason for rehearsing the wilderness experiences was to remind the new generation of the children of Israel of what God had done and to encourage them to commit their lives afresh to serve Him. It was to remind them that their own sinful works led to wanderings in the wilderness. It was benefits of obeying God. The set of also to make them understand the people to whom the law was first given -God wanted Moses to repeat they were all dead except Joshua and Caleb in the wilderness encounters and laws to the new generation by himself, so that it I would create a lasting impact on them. Besides, they were about to enter and possess the Promised Land, Canaan. They needed to know the things they should do or not do to enjoy the land I’m flowing with milk and honey. God also wanted them to know the evil outcome of their fathers’ rebellion and unbelief so that they will not make the same mistakes. Today, friends of Jesus should not be tired of reading through God’s promises and mighty acts written in the Bible. This will help us to know His faithfulness, greatness and so love Him deeper and better. It will also help us to learn from other people’s past mistakes, avoid them, and be made fit for our heavenly home and inheritance.
- 3. RENEWED CALL TO OBEY GOD’S WORD:
Deuteronomy 4:1-49; 28:1-2; 4:1- 49; John 14:21
Our God is faithful and keeps His covenant; but His faithfulness has two sides. In His faithfulness, He rewards those who obey and rebukes those who reject Him. He brought the Israelites out of Egypt, multiplied and blessed them as He promised Abraham. God led and fought for them. He made Israel the people of His inheritance. What He demands from them is obedience to His word. Life, blessings and the possession of Canaan were dependent on Israel’s obedience to God. The promises of God will only be fulfilled in the lives of people who continually hold fast to the Lord, fear Him and seek Him with all their hearts and souls in true faith and love. Obedience to God’s word is more important than anything else. Friends of Jesus are called to obey God’s word as contained in the Bible. Anything that contradicts or changes His word must be rejected. His word, which is the Bible, is our highest authority and the ultimate guide to all truths (Proverbs 30:6). Believers are to obey God in the following areas:
(i) Daily reading and meditating on the word of God.
(ii) Praying every day and being watchful.
(iii) Living a holy life.
(iv) Preaching the gospel.
(v) Attending fellowship regularly.
(vi) Showing love to everyone around you.
Abundant blessings await obedient children both in this world and in the heavenly Canaan land. You must strive to get there.
A sinful child must repent and receive Jesus as his personal Saviour and continue serving God till the end because “… he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
QUESTIONS:
- Moses recalled Israel’s
- Give two reasons for the recall of the wilderness encounters.
- Mention three events that occurred in the wilderness.
- What does God demand from His children?
- What are the blessings for the obedient child?
MEMORY VERSE: “For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing” (Deuteronomy 2:7).
LESSON: Obedience to God’s command attracts His blessings here on earth and eternal rest in heaven.
THOUGHT: I will obey God’s word always.
ACTIVITY: Mention any four of the wilderness experiences recalled by Moses, and state what you learned from each.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 135 -TELL ME THE OLD, OLD STORY
CHORUSES:
(1) Trust and obey
(2) Obedience is to show
(3) When I remember what the Lord has done.
HOMEWORK: In your homework book, write five things you must do to avoid the mistakes of the Israelites who could not inherit the Promised Land. Pray for grace to do so.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
- Remarkable
- Contradict
- Wilderness
- Experience
- Rebellion
