The Historical Prologue
1:6 to 4:49
Moses now fills in some gaps of the account previously given (see the commentary on Numbers Bz – The Journey from Mount Sinai to Kadesh Barnea ). He begins his discourse by reviewing the events that occurred in the course of their forty-year journey from Egypt to Sinai, and then from Sinai to Mo’ab. This historical prologue, though it also represents selected material from the earlier books, serves a particular purpose in its present context. The Near Eastern treaty, in its historical prologue, described the events underlying the treaty. In Deuteronomy, likewise, the historical basis for the covenant begins with the covenant promise made to Abraham and then it continues to the initial stage in the realization of the promise at Horeb. The importance of history has two focal points: (a) there is a covenant tradition of promise, from Abraham to Moshe; and (b) there is the experience of the LORD in history working out in action the content of that promise.
Therefore, for the renewal of the covenant described in Deuteronomy, the prologue recalls not only the covenant’s history, but also the ability of the LORD of the covenant to fulfill His promise. What ADONAI had done in the past, He could continue to do in the future. There is thus a presentation of a faithful YHVH, whose demand was for a faithful people.26 Moses makes it clear that history is the sphere in which the LORD works out the fulfillment of His promises. His provision of victory over Isra’el’s enemies (1:28, 2:24-25 and 30) and His care for His covenantal nation during their wilderness wanderings (1:31; 2:6-7) serve as part of His fulfillment of His oath to their ancestors that He would bring Isra’el into the Promised Land (1:8, 21 and 35).
In his description of Isra’el’s experiences, Moshe bluntly examines their repeated acts of unfaithfulness, and the dire consequences of their conduct. Isra’el’s refusal to trust in God’s promise to deliver the land of Canaan into their hands (regardless of its powerful defenses), revealed their fickle nature. In spite of all that YHVH had done up to the time of Isra’el’s rebellion at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13:1 to 14:45), His people rebelled against Him and declared that Ha’Shem hated them (1:26-27). Because of their treacherous conduct, Isra’el experienced the full force of the anger of Ha’Shem (1:34 and 37, 2:14-15, 3:26, 4:21 and 24-25), and faced divine rejection of sorts. ADONAI withdrew His presence (1:42) and closed His ears to their cries (1:45 and 3:26).
Finally, these chapters also have a forward look. Moses is not simply looking at past failures, but giving an overview because Isra’el’s forty days at the base of Mount Sinai would have clear implications for their future attitudes and conduct. They needed to remember and not forget (4:9-10) God’s life changing character and actions. Moshe provided this overview to prepare ADONAI’s people for the great challenge ahead of them. The Israelites would be able to conquer the land of Canaan and live in harmony with God’s expectations only if they lived in the light of His awesome power and majesty. YHVH’s promise and past faithfulness provided the grounds to trust Him in the present, and in the future. But the Israelites should never forget that Ha’Shem’s swift and harsh response to mutiny in the past, should serve as a warning against rebellion and unbelief in the days to come.27
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