Deuteronomy 1 (résumé): Moses' Farewell

The book of Deuteronomy is Moses' farewell speech, or speeches, and the final chapter concludes with his death. This book probably is the fruit of Moses' final weeks in the plains of Moab when his people, but not him, were about to finally enter the promised land of Canaan. Moses reminds his people of God's law and warns them against disobedience.

The first chapter is dated on the 1st day of the 11th month of the 40th year, in the desert on the east of the River Jordan, after he had defeated King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan. Moses reminded the people of how God had commanded them to leave Mount Sinai (Horeb) 40 years earlier, and to proceed to Canaan and conquer the land. 

Moses then recalled how he had appointed judges from each tribe to help him govern the people and resolve disputes. He also recounted how 12 spies had been sent into Canaan to assess the land and the enemy, and the majority verdict was very negative leading to generalized grumbling and revolt. God was angered and said that that generation would not enter Canaan except for Caleb and Joshua, who were the only positive spies. The people tried to rectify things with God but his decision had been taken so the Israelites were made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years whilst the older generation died off.