Devarim 9 (Deuteronomy 9)
Devarim 9 has a different theme than the previous chapters in Devarim. There is a warning from Moshe to the Children of Yisrael not to fall victim to their own imaginations. Further, he tells them several times that they have been rebellious from the beginning. One might not immediately associate the Second Generation with the sins that were committed from the time the Children of Yisrael left Mitzrayim; however, that is exactly what Moshe does. He warns them not to delude themselves that it is their righteousness that enabled them to possess the land. They are being given the land based on their fathers, Avraham, Yitzchaq and Yaaqov, and the wickedness of the people currently in the land. He reminds them not to provoke Yehovah as they did in the incident of the Golden Calf or what occurred at Taverah, Massah, and Qivrot-Hattaavah. Although, these can be mainly attributed to the First Generation, the Second Generation should not disassociate themselves from these events. Just as we cannot disassociate ourselves 3500 years later. We carry an association with the sins of our fathers to this day. The events that Moshe discusses provides steps we could take to prevent the reoccurrence in the future.
Yehovah is used 34 times in Devarim 9.
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Faith in Yehovah’s Strength
Faith in Yehovah’s Strength
Devarim 9:1
1 Hear, Yisrael. You to pass over Yarden this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,
Moshe is addressing the Children of Yisrael prior to their crossing the Yarden River. He tells them that they will face an adversary that is greater in numbers and strength. Their cities are large and well fortified. However, he does not tell them this because they may be defeated or that they will have to fight even harder. It is for a much different reason.
Devarim 9:2
2 A people great and tall, the children of the Anaqim, whom you know, and you have heard, Who can stand before the children of Anaq.
The people that the Children of Yisrael will face are the Anaqim. The Anaqim are large in numbers and taller.
Tall comes from the Hebrew word רוּם rum (H7311). It is in the Bible 194 times. רוּם rum (H7311) is translated (lift, hold, etc…) up 63 times, exalt 47 times, high 25 times, offer 13 times, give 5 times, heave 3 times, extol 3 times, lofty 3 times, take 3 times, tall 3 times, higher 2 times and 24 miscellaneous words. Basically, רוּם rum (H7311) represents either the “state of being on a higher plane” or “movement in an upward direction.” This word may be used to indicate literal height. It is also used to indicate height as symbolic of positive attributes, such as glory and exaltation or negative attributes such as arrogance and pride. Sometimes the use of רוּם rum (H7311) is rather subjective.
Even if the Anaqim were taller, it does not necessarily mean that they were giants. They could have been a mere six inches taller on average. This would still make them taller. However, so what?
The fact that they were taller is not the issue. With height, normally all other attributes are greater. For example, their reach and their stride. This in itself could make one a greater warrior. However, it is not what is on the outside that makes the difference. It is what is on the inside and who goes before you.
As with all adversaries of the Children of Yisrael, Yehovah will send something ahead, Devarim 7:20.
20 Moreover Yehovah your Redeemer will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from you, be destroyed.
The adversaries were never the issue. The issue is, are they in His footsteps or on their own?
On our own, a weaker and smaller adversary may easily defeat us.
Devarim 9:3
3 Understand therefore this day, that Yehovah your Redeemer He which goes over before you; a consuming fire He shall destroy them, and He shall bring them down before your face. So shall you drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as Yehovah has said to you.
As for that day, Moshe told them that Yehovah would go before them. It did not matter how great the Anaqim may have been, they were no match for Yehovah.
When we are moving in the plans and purposes of God, no one can stand before us. This is something we need to always keep in mind. It is also something we should never lose sight of. This will require us to make changes in our lives along the way if we are to continue in His footsteps.
Not Our Righteousness
Not Our Righteousness
Devarim 9:4
4 Speak not you in your heart, after that Yehovah your Redeemer has cast them out from before you, saying, For my righteousness Yehovah has brought me in to possess this land. But for the wickedness of these nations Yehovah does drive them out from before you.
We should never delude ourselves into believing that our righteousness has brought us all the good in our life. There is a value in being righteous. However, no matter how righteous we may be; we all fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Our righteousness is only of value as His grace, compassion and mercy overshadow our lack of righteousness. The more righteous we are the better; however, it is never sufficient to save us. Righteousness will close the gap some, but we are never an island to ourselves. We must always keep this in mind and look to Yehovah as our source.
Yehovah is bringing the Children of Yisrael into the land because it is a good land and the people of the land are wicked. Yehovah wants His people in this particular land; therefore, He will do as He pleases. We must do as He requires. He requires us to be a holy and righteous people. Not so we can obtain the land, we are to be holy and righteous so that we do not defile the land.
This is the difference we need to keep in mind today if we are to sustain our stay in the Kingdom of God.
Devarim 9:5
5 Not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, do you go to possess their land. But for the wickedness of these nations Yehovah your God does drive them out from before you, and that He may perform the word which Yehovah swore to your fathers, Avraham, Yitzchaq and Yaaqov.
Moshe tells them that there are two basic reasons why the Children of Yisrael are allowed to possess the land. The first was the wickedness of the people. More than likely, these people worshiped foreign deities and were not just to others. Additionally, Yehovah had sworn to Avraham, Yitzchaq and Yaaqov that He would bring their descendants into the land. It started with Bereishis 15:18-21.
18 In the same day Yehovah made a covenant with Avram, saying, To your seed have I given this land, from the river of Mitzrayim to the great river, the river Perat. 19 The Qeni, and the Qenizzi, and the Qadmoni, 20 And the Chitti, and the Perizzi, and the Refaim, 21 and the Emori, and the Kenaani, and the Girgashi, and the Yevusi.
Yosef reminded his brethren of this promise in Bereishis 50:24-25.
24 And Yosef said to his brethren, I die and Redeemer will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land which he swore to Avraham, to Yitzchaq and to Yaaqov. 25 And Yosef took an oath of the Children of Yisrael, saying, Redeemer will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from hence.
The promise of the land was so strong in the hearts of the fathers, Yosef made them swear that they would bury his bones in the land of his forefathers.
It was a promise that Yehovah intended to keep. It was made long before the Children of the Second Generation intended to walk righteously. It had nothing to do with their righteousness. But because they walk in faith properly, they would be allowed to possess the land.
No one possesses the land because they are righteous, but we are allowed to remain in the land because of our righteousness. However, there are minimums to enter into the Kingdom. As with all things in God, once we enter the Kingdom we are expected to mature and become a part of the community.
Stiff-Necked People
Stiff-Necked People
Devarim 9:6
6 Understand therefore, that Yehovah your Redeemer gives you not this good land to possess it for your righteousness; for you a stiff-necked people.
Moshe reminds the people that they are a stiff-necked people.
Stiff-necked comes from the Hebrew phrase קְשֵׁה־עֹרֶף. This comes from two Hebrew words קָשֶׁה qasheh (H7186) and עֹרֶף oref (H6203).
קָשֶׁה qasheh (H7186) is in the Bible 36 times. It is translated stiff-necked + עֹרֶף oref (H6203) 6 times, hard 5 times, roughly 5 times, cruel 3 times, grievous 3 times, sore 2 times, churlish 1 time, hardhearted 1 time, heavy 1 time and 9 miscellaneous words. It carries the meaning of being hard, cruel, obstinate or stiff. It refers to the subjective effect exerted by an overly heavy yoke, which is hard to bear, and secondarily, the rebellious resistance of oxen to the yoke. It is seen as a strong force that is required to be exerted to stabilize an opposing force.
עֹרֶף oref (H6203) is in the Bible 35 times. It is translated neck 17 times, back 6 times, stiff-necked + קָשֶׁה qasheh (H7186) 6 times, stiff-necked 3 times, backs + אַחַר achar (H0310) 1 time and stiff-necked + קָשָׁה qashah (H7185) 2 time. It simply is referring to the neck.
When these two words are put together, it simply means that an exceeding amount of force will be required to control these people. This is counterproductive to the purposes and overall desire of Yehovah. God is not looking to control people, He desires a people that are willing to freely love Him and walk in His ways. Although many see being stiff-necked as a bad quality, it is also a good quality when used by the individual for good. Because of this quality, the Yehudim have been able to observe a faith in the face of absolute adversity. Something very few are able to do today. Many will compromise at the slightest hint of suffering or adversity. Yehudim are less willing to compromise on what they believe is right. The unfortunate thing was it would take quite a force to turn from evil to righteousness. However, once this occurred; it would become a driving force in the life of those who would allow it. In the end, it was not God’s force that caused the turn from evil to righteousness, it was the consequences of a life of evil.
Do not be too quick to assume that Yisrael is the only stiff-necked people out there. For the most part, humans as a whole have a tendency to be stiff-necked. They will fight for what they believe is right. The unfortunate part is, they are mostly fighting for themselves and not for Yehovah.
Devarim 9:7
7 Remember, forget not, how you provoked to wrath (qatzaf) Yehovah your Redeemer in the wilderness. From the day that you did depart out of the land of Mitzrayim, until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against Yehovah.
Moshe reminds the Children of Yisrael that they had provoked Yehovah to wrath several times since leaving Mitzrayim. They have been rebellious from the time they left Mitzrayim until the present.
One has to wonder if Moshe is referring to the First Generation out of Mitzrayim rather than the Second Generation. Those who are before him were initially under 20 years of age at the events that will be subsequently discussed in Devarim. However, do not excuse them from what happened or discount their responsibility in these events. That is a critical mistake made by many. Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 10:12.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves. But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
It is a very dangerous things to compare ourselves with others. That is the wrong measuring stick. The standard is not to exceed others, the standard is Scriptures as set forth by Yehovah. Many seem to miss this point. Our goal is not to out do others, it is to out do ourselves.
We do not compare ourselves with others. We compare ourselves with ourselves to ensure that we ourselves are on an improving trend.
We can always find some less righteous individual than ourselves. However, twice as righteous as the person who is one percent righteous; is still only two percent righteous. Even if we are 99 percent righteous, there is one percent rebellion.
Comparing ourselves to others is similar to what is stated in Bereishis 34:18-19.
18 And their words pleased Chamor, and Shekhem Chamor’s son. 19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Yaaqov’s daughter. And he more honorable than all the house of his father.
To say that Shekhem was more honorable is not really a complement for Shekhem. It was a slur against everyone else. Shekhem essentially raped Dinah. What does that say about everyone else? They were even worse than him.
When we consider our own righteousness, the Word should be our only standard. It is God’s mercy and compassion that allows us to continue in life. This is a fact we need to remember.
Golden Calf
Golden Calf
Devarim 9:8
8 Also in Chorev you provoked to wrath (qatzaf) Yehovah, so that Yehovah was angry with you to have destroyed you.
This is referring to the incident of the Golden Calf in Shemos 32.
It states that Yehovah was angry with the Children of Yisrael to the point of destroying them. The question that comes to mind is, was Yehovah angry with all the people or was He selectively angry with those that participated in the sin of the Golden Calf?
At this point, Bereishis 49:10 had been recorded.
10 The scepter shall not depart from Yehudah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and to Him the gathering of the people.
Additionally, Yehovah had already sworn to Avraham, Yitzchaq and Yaaqov that He would bring their descendants into the land. One thing we have to remember is Yehovah is not us. Although we may provoke Him to anger, He is not like us. He has control over His emotions and is not driven to take action outside of His purposes and plans. Unfortunately, humans often sabotage their own purposes and plans. Mainly because they are more driven by their emotions, will and intellect rather than what is upright and best for all.
It is true that Yehovah said to Moshe in Shemos 32:9-10.
9 And Yehovah said to (el) Moshe, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff-necked people. 10 Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath (af) may wax hot (charah) against them, and that I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.
At this point, it would be hard to believe that Yehovah would completely destroy the Children of Yisrael. This was more than likely a test for Moshe to determine what was more important to him. That day Moshe stood as a mediator for the people. He was more concerned with how this could possibly affect the name of Yehovah as opposed to his own glory.
As for us, are we more concerned with our own glory and being right, than Yehovah’s glory and doing what Yehovah considers upright?
Moshe recounts what occurred.
Devarim 9:9
9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, the tables of the covenant which Yehovah made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water.
Moshe had gone up the mountain to receive the 10 Words recorded on stone. He would remain with Yehovah 40 days and nights. This is recorded in Shemos 25 through Shemos 31. Very little is recorded of what occurred during that time period. Unless this was all that occurred and the remainder of the time Moshe was in the presence of Yehovah simply waiting and in worship.
During this time, Moshe neither ate nor drank. Yehovah supernaturally kept Moshe alive. As He can do for all of us at any time He decides.
Devarim 9:10-11
10 And Yehovah delivered to me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them according to all the words, which Yehovah spoke with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly. 11 And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, Yehovah gave me the two tables of stone, the tables of the covenant.
At the end of the 40 days and 40 nights Yehovah gave the 2 stone tables to Moshe. This was previously recorded Shemos 31:18.
18 And He gave to Moshe, when He had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinay, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of Redeemer.
Before Moshe leaves at the end of the 40 days and nights, God gave Moshe the two stone tables. However, something has occurred in the camp.
Devarim 9:12
12 And Yehovah said to me, Arise, get you down quickly from hence; for your people which you have brought forth out of Mitzrayim have corrupted; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
Yehovah tells Moshe that the Children of Yisrael have corrupted. What they had basically done is taken steps to destroy themselves. If something was not done soon, they would have gone so far down a path there would be no turning back.
Yehovah also states that the Children of Yisrael quickly turned aside. Although it had been 40 days since Moshe was last at the camp, Yehovah states that they have quickly turned aside. Forty days is really not a long time when compared with an eternity.
However, it will always seem like a long time to us, until we make the transition. We must transition from a stiff-necked and rebellious people to one that willingly conforms to His image. As long as we hang on to a life outside of God’s Kingdom, any time will seem like a long time. We have to make the transition of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory; 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen temporal; but the things which are not seen eternal.
When we let go of the former life and reach for the eternal, changing into His image is much easier. Then we can painlessly transition into a new creation. We must cut the tie from the former life.
Until we do this, it will be said of us as it was said of the Children of Yisrael.
Devarim 9:13
13 Furthermore Yehovah spoke to me, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it a stiff-necked people.
We will continue to be stiff-necked until we let go and reach for Him. We must leave the former behind. If not, it will continue to pull at us.
Moshe’s Intercession
Moshe’s Intercession
Devarim 9:14
14 Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven. And I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.
As Moshe is coming down the mountain, Yehovah offers Moshe the chance to have his own nation. One that would be mightier and greater than the Children of Yisrael. At this time that may not be too hard to do. However, Moshe turns down the opportunity, just as Yeshua will 1500 years later.
When Yeshua went to the cross, He had the option of not going. Yehovah could not force the issue, it had to be a willing sacrifice. Had Yeshua not gone to the cross and lived, his descendants would not have been effected by the Adamic nature. However, Yeshua proved to be the prophet like Moshe and willingly went to the cross as He states in Yochanan 10:17-18.
17 Therefore does My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. 18 No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.
Yeshua willingly gave His life that we may have life everlasting, just as Moshe did that day.
Devarim 9:15
15 So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire. And the two tables of the covenant in my two hands.
As Moshe was coming down the mountain, the mountain burned with fire. This had nothing to do with Moshe, it was that Yehovah had started to come down. When Yehovah starts to move, the evil before Him will start to burn.
When Adam sinned in the Garden, the curse went into the ground. The earth was in a state of less than very good. When Yehovah comes down, the land will burn in His pure presence. We will see this in the future in Yoel 2:3.
3 A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns. The land as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yes, and nothing shall escape them.
When this fire comes, it will be restituting the land.
Devarim 9:16
16 And I looked, and, behold, you had sinned against Yehovah your Redeemer, had made you a molten calf. You had turned aside quickly out of the way which Yehovah had commanded you.
Just as Yehovah said, Moshe saw with his own eyes what the Children of Yisrael had done. They had made an idol and turned aside from those things written on the two tables of stone. They had quickly broken the covenant.
Devarim 9:17
17 And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes.
Whether it was anger or a righteous act, Moshe broke the two tables just as the Children of Yisrael had. As Moshe had seen what they had done, the Children of Yisrael saw Moshe’s reaction to their sin.
Now this is where the two accounts of this day are slightly different. Neither contradict what happened. The events are recorded in a slightly different order. Nothing changes the overall message of the events.
Devarim 9:18
18 And I fell down before Yehovah, as at the first, forty days and forty nights. I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which you sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of Yehovah, to provoke Him to anger.
Moshe states that he once again came before Yehovah. He was prostrate for 40 days and 40 nights. This is the first time that he reveals that he was prostrate before Yehovah during this time.
This is not specifically documented in Shemos 32 or Shemos 33. When this would have specifically occurred is not clear. Based on the text, it would seem that 40 days were after Moshe took action in Shemos 32. However, it is just as likely that it occurred before.
Devarim 9:19
19 For I was afraid of the anger (af) and hot displeasure (chema), wherewith Yehovah was wroth (qatsaf) against you to destroy you. But Yehovah hearkened to me at that time also.
Yehovah had granted Moshe intercession for the people. This would seem to suggest that the second 40 days was prior to destroying the calf, but after breaking the 2 stone tables.
Devarim 9:20
20 And Yehovah was very angry (anaf) with Aharon to have destroyed him and I prayed for Aharon also the same time.
Moshe had specifically interceded for Aharon. He was placed in charge while Moshe was with Yehovah, Shemos 24:14-15.
14 And he said to the elders, Tarry you here for us, until we come again to you. And, behold, Aharon and Chur with you if any man have any matters to do, let him come to them. 15 And Moshe went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.
Aharon was supposed to stand before the people and prevent anything from happening. It seems as if he willingly went along with them, Shemos 32:1-5.
1 And when the people saw that Moshe delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together to Aharon, and said to him, Up, make us redeemers, which shall go before us; for this Moshe, the man that brought us up out of the land of Mitzrayim, we know not what is become of him. 2 And Aharon said to them, Break off the golden earrings, which in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring to me. 3 And all the people broke off the golden earrings which in their ears, and brought to Aharon. 4 And he received at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf. And they said, These your redeemers, Yisrael, which brought you up out of the land of Mitzrayim. 5 And when Aharon saw, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow a feast to Yehovah.
Not only did Aharon allow them to rebel, he openly joined in it by constructing the golden calf. Then to make matters worse, Aharon declared that it was the redeemer that brought them out of Mitzrayim. Finally Aharon declared a feast to Yehovah the next day. This is what is recorded, no telling what else may have happened. Aharon was on thin ice. However, Yehovah hearkened to Moshe’s intercession for Aharon.
Devarim 9:21
21 And I took your sin, the calf which you had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, ground very small, until it was as small as dust. And I cast the dust thereof into the river (nachal) that descended out of the mount.
The fact that Moshe now states this after he said he interceded leaves one with the impression that Moshe may have broken up the stone tables, prayed 40 days and 40 nights then destroyed the Golden Calf. This would mean that the calf was not immediately destroyed. Moshe would have stayed the additional 40 days or possibly the sin occurred early in the time that Moshe had been on the mountain. Moshe is told in Shemos 32:7.
7 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Go, get down; for your people, which you brought out of the land of Mitzrayim, have corrupted.
It is possible that the people sinned early in the 40 days starting in Shemos 25 and Yehovah had waited until He had completed His business. This scenario seems unlikely.
However Moshe does not actually leave until Shemos 32:15.
15 And Moshe turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony in his hand. The tables written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other they written.
This would make it almost 80 days Moshe was with Yehovah. First 40 receiving instructions and the second 40 days interceding for the Children of Yisrael and Aharon.
Note that the dust of the golden calf was mixed with the water that came down the mountain. This may be a shadow of Water Baptism, Romans 6:4-7.
4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also resurrection. 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Taverah, Burning
Taverah, Burning
Devarim 9:22
22 And at Taverah, and at Massah, and at Qivrot-Hattaavah, you provoked Yehovah to wrath.
Moshe lists three more places where the Children of Yisrael had provoked Yehovah, Taverah, Massah and Qivrot-Hattaavah. These are not listed in order of occurrence.
Taverah occurred because of Bemidbar 11:1.
1 And the people complained, it displeased (ra ozen) Yehovah. And Yehovah heard; and His anger (af) was kindled (charah); and the fire of Yehovah burnt among them, and consumed in the uttermost parts of the camp.
The people complained and Yehovah took notice. This caused a fire to ensue and it consumed the people in the uttermost parts of the camp. The outlying areas along the edge.
This may be the first time Yehovah moved against the Children of Yisrael that resulted in widespread deaths. In Shemos 32 in the Golden Calf Incident, the Levites executed judgment. From that time until Taverah, there is not recorded widespread deaths. The only recorded deaths are Nadav and Avihu.
The interesting thing about Taverah, it never states what the people were complaining about. One has to wonder what they had a right to complain about. Yehovah had freed them from the bondage of Pharoah and Mitzrayim and basically took care of them without asking for anything in return. All they had was a result of actions Yehovah had done for them. So what did they have to complain about?
To end this, they did the only thing they could do, Bemidbar 11:2-3.
2 And the people cried to Moshe; and when Moshe prayed to Yehovah, the fire was quenched. 3 And he called the name of the place Tavera. Because the fire of Yehovah burnt among them.
They cried out to Moshe. Moshe interceded on their behalf and it stopped. However, did the people learn anything from what happened?
Bemidbar 11:4
4 And the mixt multitude (aspesuf) that was among them fell a lusting. And the Children of Yisrael also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
They found a new thing to complain about.
Realistically the intensity of the burning never has to be that extensive in our lives. We could minimize the fire if we became willing to flow in His ways.
Massah, Temptation
Massah, Temptation
Devarim 9:22
22 And at Taverah, and at Massah, and at Qivrot-Hattaavah, you provoked Yehovah to wrath.
The second place that Moshe mentions is Massah. Massah refers to what happened in Shemos 17:1.
1 And all the congregation of the Children of Yisrael journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the mouth (peh) of Yehovah, and pitched in Refidim. And no water for the people to drink.
There was no water, so once again they focused on Moshe as the problem, Shemos 17:2-3.
2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moshe, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moshe said to them, Why chide you with me? Wherefore do you tempt Yehovah? 3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moshe, and said, Wherefore this you have brought us up out of Mitzrayim, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
As usual, it is Moshe’s fault. Maybe it was nobody’s fault. Maybe it was just part of life and they just needed a little patience and faith. Or the real issue may be, they did not build themselves up in their most holy faith.
We ought to learn a lesson from all this, because things like this happen all the time. The question will be, how will we view them?
This is early in the wilderness journey so Moshe does the best thing to do when faced with an overwhelming problem, Shemos 17:4.
4 And Moses cried to Yehovah, saying, What shall I do to this people? They be almost ready to stone me.
At this point, Moshe may not be a whole lot more faithful than the people. Yehovah tells Moshe to strike the rock and water will come forth, Shemos 17:7.
7 And He called the name of the place Massah, and Merivah, because of the chiding of the Children of Yisrael, and because they tempted Yehovah, saying, Is Yehovah among us, or not?
At times, these people have a tendency to believe that God is asleep or nonexistent. As if, He freed them from Mitzrayim and that was it. God is not like us, He does not do things halfway and go off to the next task. He intends on completing the things He has started. He tells us in Yeshayahu 55:11.
11 So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth. It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper whereto I sent it.
When Yehovah states something, we can be assured that He will complete it in His timing. We just get a little impatient and scared that possibly we may be forgotten. He has not forgotten anyone Matityahu 10:29-31.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
Yehovah keeps track of those that are His. We just need to realize that we may not be the most pressing matter at the time. Or possibly, He is waiting on us to do something. In many cases, we need to mature and pursue a more righteous lifestyle.
Qivrot-Hattaavah, Graves of the Longing
Qivrot-Hattaavah, Graves of the Longing
Devarim 9:22
22 And at Taverah, and at Massah, and at Qivrot-Hattaavah, you provoked Yehovah to wrath.
The third place that Moshe mentions is Qivrot-Hattaavah. Qivrot-Hattaavah refers to Bemidbar 11:34.
34 And he called the name of that place Qivrot-Hattaavah. Because there they buried the people that lusted.
This was a result of the quail in Bemidbar 11:31.
31 And there went forth a Spirit (ruach) from Yehovah, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s way (derek) on this side, and as it were a day’s way (derek) on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two ammahs (d) upon the face of the land.
There was an unprecedented amount of quail available. It states in Bemidbar 11:32.
32 And the people stood up all that day, and all night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails. He that gathered least gathered ten chomers. And they spread all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
The people spent two days gathering the quail. However, all was not well. Yehovah previously warned them in Bemidbar 11:20.
20 even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils (af), and it be loathsome to you. Because that you have despised Yehovah which among you, and have wept before Him, saying, Why came we forth out of Mitzrayim?
There is something we need to understand. There is the perfect will of God, permissive will of God and outside the will of God. These people were outside the will of God. This event is described in Tehilla 106:13-15.
13 They soon forgot His works; they waited not for His counsel. 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 And He gave them their request; and sent leanness into their soul.
These people were outside the will of God completely. All they learned from this was cry and get what you want. That is essentially what a baby does. Well the worst of them did not survive much beyond this. Because as soon as they got what they wanted, once again Yehovah was placed on a back burner.
Qadesh-Barnea
Qadesh-Barnea
Devarim 9:23
23 Likewise when Yehovah sent you from Qadesh-Barnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then you rebelled against the commandment of Yehovah your Redeemer, and you believed Him not, nor hearkened to His voice.
All the things that the Children of Yisrael did, the incident at Qadesh-Barnea was the worst. The Children of Yisrael were not satisfied knowing that Yehovah would bring them into the land and would deliver the people to them, Devarim 1:22.
22 And you came near to me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
Rather than just take the land, the Children of Yisrael wanted to send men to search out the land. They wanted people to develop a plan ahead of time. However, when they came back; they told the people in Bemidbar 13:31-33.
31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they stronger than we. 32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched to the Children of Yisrael, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, a land that eats up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it men of a great stature. 33 And there we saw the giants (nefiyl), the sons of Anaq, of the giants (nefiyl). And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
One has to wonder after all that had happened, why they thought that God needed their help. Today people are no different. Most believers regardless of what they may say are works oriented and the rest are just lazy. Most will do things on their own strength rather than through the power of God working through them. Others believe if God wants it to happen, He will make it happen. Neither are correct.
We need to learn to flow with God as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 15:10.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am and His grace which upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Paul worked hard; however, it was not Paul. It was God that enabled Paul to work. There was a power that flowed through Paul to strengthen Paul. Yehuda speaks of this in Yehuda 20-21.
20 But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Yeshua Messiah to eternal life.
We are able to work with God when we learn how to build ourselves up in His Holy Spirit and walk in the love of God. When we start to do this then we can start to flow in His power and not our own.
Devarim 9:24
24 You have been rebellious against Yehovah from the day that I knew you.
Although Moshe is talking to the Second Generation out of Mitzrayim and they may not have been the perpetrators, they certainly did not prevent it from occurring. Nor did they take a stand against it. Rebellion can take many forms. There is both active and passive. Most of the time we are in a passive role of rebellion. It does not make it any better and in fact it may be worse at times.
Most of us fit into the passive role of rebellion. We do little to turn the tide of rebellion. We may not be able to stop them, nor should we. However, we could stand as an example of righteousness and be an example they could follow.
Moshe Intercedes Again
Moshe Intercedes Again
Devarim 9:25
25 Thus I fell down before Yehovah forty days and forty nights, as I fell down; because Yehovah had said He would destroy you.
After Qadesh-Barnea, Moshe interceded for the Children of Yisrael 40 days and 40 nights. This is the fourth time Moshe did this. The first time was in Shemos 24:18.
18 And Moshe went into the midst of the cloud, and got him up into the mount and Moshe was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
This was when Moshe was given the first set of 10 Words. Then it is recorded in Devarim 9:17-18.
17 And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes. 18 And I fell down before Yehovah, as at the first, forty days and forty nights. I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which you sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of Yehovah, to provoke Him to anger.
This would be prior to coming down the mountain to destroy the Golden Calf. Third being in Shemos 34:28.
28 And he was there with Yehovah forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten words.
This is when Moshe received the second set of 10 Words.
Devarim 9:26-27
26 I prayed therefore to Yehovah, and said, Lord Yehovah, destroy not Your people and Your inheritance, which You have redeemed through Your greatness, which You have brought forth out of Mitzrayim with a mighty hand. 27 Remember your servants, Avraham, Yitzchaq and Yaaqov; look not to the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin.
Moshe prayed for the Children of Yisrael after their refusal to enter into the Land. In Moshe’s prayer, he brings to remembrance that the Children of Yisrael are Yehovah’s people and His inheritance. This is something we would do well to remember. We are a chosen people and should live up to that calling.
Moshe speaks about the fact that Yehovah delivered these people from Mitzrayim with a mighty hand. It was Yehovah’s supernatural power that freed us from Pharaoh and Mitzrayim. This single event is what establishes us as a people. Our strength comes from remembering that this is the common bond that we have as a people. There is no record of such an event occurring prior or after the exodus of the Children of Yisrael. This one event proves the validity of the Bible and the existence of Yehovah. To deny this would be to deny the faith of most people today.
At no time does Moshe consider the merits of the Children of Yisrael. They are a stubborn and wicked people that instead of going from faith to faith go from sin to sin. Few of us are walking in the righteousness that would bring credit to the Father. We seem to fail more than we actually succeed.
However, Moshe does bring to remembrance Avraham, Yitzchaq and Yaaqov, Yehovah’s servants. Yehovah had sworn to them that their decedents would possess the land. We know that Yehovah’s word does not go out void, so is it really necessary for Moshe to pray, if God was going to bring the people in anyways?
Will We Learn From These
Will We Learn From These
This is when it becomes important to understand why Moshe mentions the events or places he does and the lessons they teach.
At Mount Chorev, we learn the lesson of not following the crowd, Shemos 23:2.
2 You shall not follow a multitude to evil; neither shall you speak in a cause to decline after many to pervert justice.
Just as Levites took a stand that day, we must be willing to stand in for Yehovah and His righteousness. Yeshua warns us in Matityahu 10:33-37.
33 But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes they of his own household. 37 He that loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
We need to decide who we love more. To say nothing is to side with evil.
This is the first step we need to take. Do we pursue truth or are we willing to compromise to please others?
At Taverah we lost the weakest of believers. Those on the outlying areas. These are the ones we are to protect regardless of themselves, Romans 15:1.
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
We have a responsibility to these people, to protect them as we raise them up into maturity. To this end we must decide if we are part of the solution or the problem. If we are part of the solution, we must be willing to allow our carnal nature to be burnt up in Romans 12:1.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, your reasonable service.
As we are going through these fires we need let go of the old nature, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory; 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen temporal; but the things which are not seen eternal.
Going on the Altar will do little benefit unless we let go of the old nature. If we continue to hang on, our time on the altar will continue with increased fires. Let the old go away and reach for the new life of His righteous ways.
At Massah, we learn the importance of Tehilla 23:6.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of Yehovah for ever.
As He has done in the past, He will do today and every day. We need to focus on His house of glory for all. We need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. That is the water those fail to have. In the Spirit, we can do all things.
At Qivrot-Hattaavah, we learn not to lust beyond what is necessary, Mishlei 30:7-9.
7 Two have I asked (shaal) of You; deny me not before I die. 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food statute (choq) for me. 9 Lest I be full, and deny and say, Who Yehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God.
We are satisfied with His life for us. We continue to move in the Spirit towards His Kingdom.
Finally, we learn the lesson of Qadesh-Barnea, it is not by our strength and wits. We are to flow with His. If we are to serve Him, we are to follow His path and do as we are told. He is not dependent upon us. We cannot make the mistake of Qadesh-Barnea and be complacent as many were that day. Only those who spoke up out of the First Generation went into the land 40 years later, Yehoshua and Kalev.
Devarim 9:28-29
28 Lest the land whence you brought us out say, Because Yehovah was not able to bring them into the land which He promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to slay them in the wilderness. 29 Yet they Your people and Your inheritance, which You brought out by Your mighty power and by Your stretched out arm.
Moshe was more concerned about Yehovah’s reputation among the nations than his own glory. Yehovah would be right to wipe out the people. They had proven to be rebellious at every turn. Moshe knew that Yehovah was able to bring them into the land, he wanted others to see the greatness and glory of Yehovah.
When we look at the content of Devarim 9, we should realize that we as a people are desperately in need of an intermediary. One that would walk upright. One who would plead for us.
We must realize that we are a rebellious people desperately in need of a merciful God. Who has compassion for our failings, because they are many and they seem to continue each day.
At no time in our existence have we proven to be the inheritance that would satisfy a righteous God. It is only because of His long-suffering, mercy and compassion that many of us survive this day and in the future. That is why it is time to be the generation who serve Yehovah first.
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