Deuteronomy 1:19 - We traveled from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw, by the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Yahweh our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh Barnea.
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What does "Deuteronomy 1:19" mean?
This verse in Deuteronomy 1:19 is part of Moses's recounting of the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai (Horeb) to the Promised Land. Let's break down what it means:
"We traveled from Horeb...": Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai, where God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments and entered into a covenant with them. This indicates the beginning of their journey after a significant period of time spent receiving God's law and instructions.
"...and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw...": This refers to the vast and harsh desert environment the Israelites traversed. The phrase "great and terrible" emphasizes the dangers and difficulties they faced: lack of water, food, extreme temperatures, wild animals, and potential enemies. The fact that Moses reminds them "which you saw" suggests that the memory of this arduous journey was still fresh in their minds, a shared experience of hardship.
"...by the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Yahweh our God commanded us...": The Amorites were one of the groups inhabiting the land of Canaan (the Promised Land). Their territory was mountainous and a key area the Israelites needed to conquer to possess the land. This phrase highlights that their journey, even through the difficult wilderness, was part of God's plan and command. They were not wandering aimlessly; they were following God's direction toward a specific goal.
"...and we came to Kadesh Barnea.": Kadesh Barnea was a crucial oasis and campsite in the Sinai Peninsula. It served as a base of operations for the Israelites for a significant period. It was from Kadesh Barnea that they sent spies to scout out the Promised Land. Crucially, it was also the place where the Israelites, after hearing the spies' negative report, rebelled against God's command to enter the land, leading to their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
In summary, Deuteronomy 1:19 is a retrospective statement summarizing a key stage of the Israelites' journey.
It highlights the journey's hardships: The phrase "great and terrible wilderness" is a powerful reminder of the challenges they faced.
It emphasizes God's command: It reminds the people that their journey, despite its difficulties, was divinely ordained.
It sets the stage for the subsequent events: The arrival at Kadesh Barnea is significant because it was the point at which the Israelites' faith was tested, and they ultimately failed to trust God, leading to their punishment and extended wandering. It connects the earlier experience of receiving the law to the current situation of nearly entering the land.
This verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in leading them through adversity, but also serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith. Moses is setting the stage for his larger sermon, encouraging the new generation to learn from the mistakes of their parents and to obey God fully so that they might successfully inherit the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy 1:19 - We traveled from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw, by the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Yahweh our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh Barnea.
What does "Deuteronomy 1:19" mean?
This verse in Deuteronomy 1:19 is part of Moses's recounting of the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai (Horeb) to the Promised Land. Let's break down what it means:
"We traveled from Horeb...": Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai, where God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments and entered into a covenant with them. This indicates the beginning of their journey after a significant period of time spent receiving God's law and instructions.
"...and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw...": This refers to the vast and harsh desert environment the Israelites traversed. The phrase "great and terrible" emphasizes the dangers and difficulties they faced: lack of water, food, extreme temperatures, wild animals, and potential enemies. The fact that Moses reminds them "which you saw" suggests that the memory of this arduous journey was still fresh in their minds, a shared experience of hardship.
"...by the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Yahweh our God commanded us...": The Amorites were one of the groups inhabiting the land of Canaan (the Promised Land). Their territory was mountainous and a key area the Israelites needed to conquer to possess the land. This phrase highlights that their journey, even through the difficult wilderness, was part of God's plan and command. They were not wandering aimlessly; they were following God's direction toward a specific goal.
"...and we came to Kadesh Barnea.": Kadesh Barnea was a crucial oasis and campsite in the Sinai Peninsula. It served as a base of operations for the Israelites for a significant period. It was from Kadesh Barnea that they sent spies to scout out the Promised Land. Crucially, it was also the place where the Israelites, after hearing the spies' negative report, rebelled against God's command to enter the land, leading to their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
In summary, Deuteronomy 1:19 is a retrospective statement summarizing a key stage of the Israelites' journey.
It highlights the journey's hardships: The phrase "great and terrible wilderness" is a powerful reminder of the challenges they faced.
It emphasizes God's command: It reminds the people that their journey, despite its difficulties, was divinely ordained.
It sets the stage for the subsequent events: The arrival at Kadesh Barnea is significant because it was the point at which the Israelites' faith was tested, and they ultimately failed to trust God, leading to their punishment and extended wandering. It connects the earlier experience of receiving the law to the current situation of nearly entering the land.
This verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in leading them through adversity, but also serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith. Moses is setting the stage for his larger sermon, encouraging the new generation to learn from the mistakes of their parents and to obey God fully so that they might successfully inherit the Promised Land.