“Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”
Context:The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is attributed to Moses. It serves as a record of Moses’ farewell addresses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this verse, Moses is recalling the events that took place when the Israelites refused to enter the land of Canaan due to their lack of faith.
The context of the verse:Prior to this verse, Moses reminded the Israelites of their journey from Mount Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea, which was the threshold of the Promised Land. The Israelites sent twelve spies to explore the land, but their majority report caused the people to fear the inhabitants of Canaan and doubt God’s promise to give them the land.
The disobedience of the Israelites:The Israelites’ lack of faith and disobedience resulted in their wandering in the wilderness for forty years. In verse 39, Moses refers to the consequences of their disobedience. The “little ones” and “children” mentioned here refer to the next generation of Israelites who were under the age of accountability at the time of the incident at Kadesh-Barnea. They had no personal responsibility for the decision of their parents to not enter the Promised Land.
The promise to the next generation:Despite the previous generation’s unbelief and their resulting punishment of wandering in the wilderness, God declares that the children who had no knowledge of good and evil at that time would be the ones to possess the Promised Land. It reveals God’s grace and mercy, ensuring that the next generation would not suffer the same consequences as their parents.
Spiritual lessons:
- God’s faithfulness: This verse demonstrates God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises. Despite the faithlessness of one generation, God’s plan and promises were not abandoned but transferred to the next generation. It highlights the enduring nature of God’s faithfulness even when people fail.
- The consequences of unbelief: The Israelites’ unbelief had severe consequences for them, leading to a prolonged period of wandering and missing out on God’s blessings. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and trust in God’s promises in our own lives.
- God’s grace and mercy: God’s decision to allow the next generation to enter the Promised Land shows His grace and mercy. He does not hold the sins of the parents against their children but offers them a fresh start and an opportunity to experience His blessings.
- Personal responsibility: The verse also highlights the principle of personal responsibility before God. The children were not held accountable for the sins of their parents because they were not capable of understanding the magnitude of the decision. It teaches us that God judges each person based on their own choices and understanding.
In summary, Deuteronomy 1:39 demonstrates God’s faithfulness, the consequences of unbelief, God’s grace and mercy, and the principle of personal responsibility. It serves as a reminder to trust in God’s promises, to learn from the mistakes of the past, and to have faith in God’s faithfulness in our own lives.
