Deuteronomy 1:1-8 These be the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea… Moses spoke what the Lord had commanded him; in other words, Moses gave the people what God had given him (Acts 3:6). Though the words were Moses', the thing uttered was of God. Some speak according to the wisdom of the world: they can tell much about its craft, villainy, hollowness; and they preach selfishness, more or less refined, as a means of personal defence, and the true source of success. Some speak according to one thing, others according to something else. Moses spoke according to what God had given him. He therefore spoke God's truth. I. BECAUSE MOSES SPOKE GOD'S TRUTH HE UTTERED WHAT WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE PEOPLE. The path of happiness is the way of wisdom. Wisdom is happiness as well as pleasant (Proverbs 8.). True wisdom is the fear of God (Job 28:28). The man who declares God's truth instructs in wisdom and leads men to happiness. Happiness is what men are seeking. Those who conduct others into happiness meet an universal want. II. Because Moses spoke what God gave him, HE COULD SPEAK — 1. With courage. 2. With power. III. Because Moses spoke what God gave him to speak, HE RELIEVED HIMSELF OF RESPONSIBILITY. 1. Commissions are sometimes entrusted to men by God which they are afraid to execute. They thereby entail calamity upon themselves and all connected with them (Jonah). 2. Duties imposed by God, if neglected, bring desolation on the man and his family — Achan (Judges 7). 3. Knowledge, wisdom, visions of the Divine glory are vouchsafed to men to be used for the improvement of the world, the upholding of the Church, and the honour of God. 4. Money, influence, opportunity is entrusted to many in these days. Such is not to be lavished on ourselves. God gave it; He expects it to be used in His service. (J. Saurin.) Parallel Verses KJV: These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab. |
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