February 20

The people were never satisfied and grew restless with their lives out of Egypt. That is why when the people Moses sent to explore came back and said that the valley was overflowing with milk and honey, the people of Israel rebelled to try to reach this land. Because they tested the Lord’s anger, they are condemned to never see the promise land; that is, except Joshua and Caleb. “Who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors” (Numbers 14). Despite this, the assembly attempted to enter the promise land and were defeated by the Amalekites and the Canaanites because God was not with them. Additionally, while in Shittim, there were those that worshiped other Moabite gods which angered God because it went against the covenant they had made with each other. However, Moses did not handle the spies incident very well either so God was not quite pleased with him and therefore would not let him cross the Jordan. “You did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel” (Deuteronomy 32). Much of this situation arises due to the fact that the people engaged in idolatry. God is described as a jealous god and clearly stated that this was forbidden. Perhaps Moses’ death ended the Pentateuch because he was the first true servant of God and the only prophet that was able to perform works of God and all the feats through Him like bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt. In considering how Deuteronomy 34 can guide our reading of the book of Joshua, we can assume it serves as a sort of transference of God’s elect status to Joshua. We see the people accept Joshua as the ‘new’ Moses and for a time obey his actions. Like with Moses, God makes promises to Joshua of such things like land. The generation of Moses was the generation that was raised up, yet they were also the people that disobeyed God and broke covenant with him. While God tried to bring the people closer to himself and purify them so that they may engage with his divinity, they instead turned away, moving away from the ‘Eden’ that reunion would bring.