Once upon a time, the people of Israel stood on the brink of a great journey. They were about to cross the Jordan River and conquer lands inhabited by powerful nations with towering cities. The inhabitants of these lands were the fearsome Anakites, giants known for their strength and might. The Israelites trembled at the thought, having heard tales of their invincibility.
But a reassuring message came to them: "Do not fear, for the Lord your God will go ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy and subdue these nations before you, and you will quickly drive them out as He has promised."
The Lord reminded them, "After I have driven these nations out, do not think it is because of your own righteousness that you are taking possession of this land. No, it is because of the wickedness of these nations that I am removing them. Remember, it is not your righteousness or integrity that grants you this land, but My promise to your forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
The Lord then recalled the times when the Israelites had angered Him in the wilderness. From the day they left Egypt, they had been rebellious. At Horeb, they had provoked the Lord’s wrath to the point where He was ready to destroy them. When Moses went up the mountain to receive the stone tablets inscribed with God's commandments, he spent forty days and nights without food or water. The Lord gave him two stone tablets with the commandments, but the people below had already turned away and made a golden calf to worship.
Upon descending the mountain and seeing their sin, Moses was so furious that he shattered the tablets. He then interceded for the people, fasting and praying for another forty days and nights, pleading with the Lord to spare them despite their wickedness. The Lord listened to Moses and did not destroy them. Moses also prayed for Aaron, who had led them in this sin. He destroyed the golden calf by burning it, grinding it to powder, and scattering the ashes into a stream.
The Israelites had a history of rebellion, whether at Taberah, Massah, or Kibroth Hattaavah. Even when the Lord commanded them to take possession of the land from Kadesh Barnea, they doubted and disobeyed. Moses reminded them of his continuous intercession, laying prostrate before the Lord to save them from destruction.
Moses recounted how he pleaded with the Lord to remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and not to let their enemies say He brought them out of Egypt to kill them. The Lord listened and instructed Moses to carve out two new stone tablets and come up the mountain again. There, the Lord rewrote the Ten Commandments and Moses placed the new tablets in an ark made of acacia wood, as commanded.
As they journeyed, they remembered the death of Aaron and the succession of his son Eleazar as priest. The tribe of Levi was set apart to carry the ark and minister before the Lord. They had no inheritance among the Israelites because the Lord Himself was their inheritance.
The Lord asked Israel to fear Him, walk in obedience, love, and serve Him with all their heart and soul. He reminded them that the heavens and the earth belong to Him, yet He chose their ancestors and loved them. Therefore, they were to circumcise their hearts and no longer be stubborn. The Lord is mighty and awesome, showing no partiality and defending the cause of the fatherless, widow, and foreigner. The Israelites were to love the foreigners among them, remembering they were once foreigners in Egypt.
Thus, Israel was to fear the Lord, hold fast to Him, and praise Him, for He had performed great and awesome wonders before their eyes. From seventy ancestors who went down into Egypt, the Lord had made them as numerous as the stars in the sky.
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