So continues the memory of the journeys of Israel through the wilderness to the present time, that being the end of the book of Numbers at which Israel has now occupied all the land east of the Jordan River that they will inherit. Here we see too a small blurb of Moses pleading with God to forgive him and allow him to go into the land. After over forty years of leading Israel and talking “face to face” with God, He says, “O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.” 40 years and God has only just begun to show Moses His greatness… what a statement! Moses has lived what, for most of us would be a majority of our lives, and he feels he has barely scratched the surface of God’s magnificence. How amazing and how true!!
As he continues in his address to the people of Israel, Moses echoes this statement, reminding the people of the greatness of God. He says, “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?” He also reminds them, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children” This we will expand on tomorrow when we read Deuteronomy 6, but here his point is well taken. The people of Israel have seen marvels and wonders that an overwhelming majority of people that live on this earth will never see. Moses says REMEMBER THESE THINGS!!! And then he reminds them again, “take care, lest you forget these things!” Again, the continuation of this passage and its importance will become apparent tomorrow, and throughout the whole of the reading of Deuteronomy.
After all this, Moses draw to a conclusion what could be considered the “preamble” to the recitation of the Law. He has reminded the people of the greatness of God and of His faithfulness to the people. He has talked about the power and might of God as He has been with them throughout these past 40 or so years. He concludes with a statement that, I think, impresses upon them and us the foundation for all things: “know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.”
It is with this in the forefront of our minds that we move forward in remembering the Law…