MPV Commentary

Moses' Speech at the End of the Fortieth Year.

These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel. The people's mental condition was such that they needed a recapitulation of God's laws and counsels, which had been given earlier. This was one of Moses' final public services to Israel, delivered on the plains of Moab where their encampment was pitched on this side of Jordan.

The location is described as being in the wilderness, in the plain known as the Arabah, a vast desert area stretching from the Red Sea north to the Sea of Tiberias. The high tablelands of Moab were cultivated fields, but the Jordan valley at their feet was part of the great desert plain, little more inviting than the desert of Arabia.

Some of these places are unknown to us today. The Hebrew word "Suph" likely referred to a place noted for its reeds (Numbers 21:14). Tophel is identified as Tafyle or Tafeilah, lying between Bozrah and Kerak. Hazeroth was a different location from the one where Israelites encamped after leaving the desert of Sinai.

There are eleven days' journey from Horeb to this place. Distances were computed in ancient times by the hours or days occupied by the journey. A day's journey on foot is about twenty miles, while on camels it would be thirty miles, and by caravans about twenty-five miles. However, Israelites with children and flocks moved at a slow rate.

The length of the Ghor from Ezion-geber to Kadesh is a hundred miles. The days mentioned were not necessarily successive days, but rather an indication that the great number of years spent traveling from Horeb to Moab was due to banishment for their apostasy and frequent rebellions.

Moses spoke unto the children of Israel in the fortieth year, reviewing all God had done for them. This discourse took place about a month before his death, after peace and tranquility had been restored by the conquest of Sihon and Og.

Ashtaroth was the royal residence of Og, named from Astarte, the tutelary goddess of the Syrians. Og was slain at Edrei, now known as Edhra, with ruins fourteen miles in circumference. Moses began to declare this law on this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, explaining it by first enumerating God's marvelous doings for His people and reminding them of their unworthy requital.

The Lord our God spoke unto us in Horeb, saying, "Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount." A year had been spent among the recesses of that wild solitude, laying the foundation of a new community under God's immediate direction. When this purpose was accomplished, they were ordered to break up their encampment and march straight to Canaan, possessing it.

The mount of the Amorites lay next to Kadesh-barnea in the south of Canaan, while Lebanon referred to Phoenicia, the country of Sidon, and the coast of the Mediterranean. The name "Canaanite" was often used synonymously with that of "Phoenician." Moses set the land before them, accessible for their occupation.

Moses spoke unto them at that time, saying he was not able to bear them alone. This discourse addressed a new generation as representatives of their fathers, in whose sight and hearing all transactions took place. A reference is made to Jethro's suggestion (Exodus 18:18), where Moses adopted a plan for the administration of justice by select officers.

The Israelites were like the stars of heaven for multitude, far exceeding three thousand ten in both hemispheres. This was neither an Oriental hyperbole nor a mere empty boast. Abraham was told to look to the stars (Genesis 15:5-6), and though they appear innumerable, those seen by the naked eye amount to no more than three thousand ten.

The Israelites went through all that great and terrible wilderness of Paran, which included the desert and mountainous space between the wilderness of Shur westward, or towards Egypt, and mount Seir eastwards. They were doomed to a life of wandering in this dreary wilderness till the whole adult generation had disappeared by death.

The Lord heard their voice and was wroth with them for their unbelief followed by open rebellion. The Israelites disregarded God's command to turn back and take their journey into the Red Sea, instead attempting to cross the heights occupied by the combined forces of the Amorites and Amalekites (Numbers 14:43). They were repulsed with great loss.

The Lord would not hearken to their voice nor give ear unto them. So they abode at Kadesh many days, prolonging their stay there after their defeat for a similar period.