提要
申命記是摩西對出埃及那一代以色列人的孩子所說的話；他們的父母曾害怕他們被擄，但現在他們都已成年，且即將佔領他們上一代所拒斥的土地。摩西以史為鑑教導他們，使他們能從上一代的錯誤中學習，重新認識已被破壞的約，並更瞭解有關上帝的事。雖然他們進入迦南地的外在條件已成熟，但在靈性上他們還沒預備好。摩西對百姓的演講十分重要，值得他們留心聽，因為如果他們不遵守上帝的吩咐，他們可能再度被拒於應許之地以外。
摩西首先回溯他們從何烈山啟程（西乃山即何烈山脈的山峰之一，上帝在那裡向以色列人頒佈律法，並與他們立約），前往佔領上帝所賜之地的旅程。他提到從何烈山到加低斯巴尼亞只要十一天的路程（1：2），他們就可以從那裡上去得迦南地為業。他們所要做的只是去接受這份禮物，因為上帝已經應許將那地賜給他們，但因為他們背叛上帝，短短的十一天路程竟演變成長達卅八年的酷旅。
在摩西臨死之前的幾個月，他要百姓知道幾件恆久不易且意義重大的事。首先，他要確定百姓會尊敬上帝安置在他們以上的權威，如約書亞（1：38）和各支派中的官長。他回憶自己如何採納岳父智慧的建議，選派官長分擔他的重擔，藉以確認這些官長的司法職務，同時也提醒以色列人，上帝是他們真正的法官和統治者，所以他們務必對所有的人施行公平、公義。以色列人多得讓摩西無法承擔管理之責，也顯示出上帝信守祂對亞伯拉罕的應許，使他的子孫多如繁星（1：10；創12：2；15：5）。摩西藉此鼓勵以色列人的新生代要跨出信心的步伐，去佔領迦南地，因為上帝同樣會在這件事上信守祂的應許。
摩西說明上帝如何像一位慈愛的父親，引導、帶領以色列人到祂要賜給他們為業之地。上帝會在他們前頭行、為他們爭戰、使他們得勝。然而，以色列人由於沒有信心而害怕，他們要求先派探子去窺探那地（1：22），結果帶來一連串的沮喪、抱怨、悖逆，導致上帝的怒氣和懲罰。上帝明明如此恩待他們，他們怎能忘恩負義的說：「耶和華恨我們」呢﹖憐恤人的上帝怎麼會將他們從埃及為奴之地拯救出來，只為了把他們交給亞摩利人去送死呢（1：27）﹖摩西要年輕的一代明白，上帝是不可能這麼做的，並要激發他們的信心。事實上，他們今天能站立在摩西面前就是上帝恩待他們的明證。他們的父母悖逆、毀約，抱怨上帝要使他們的孩子被擄掠，但現在這些孩子都完好站立在摩西面前，聽他講述上帝守約的信實。
摩西教導他們認識上帝的恩典和仁慈，祂的美德在祂與悖逆的以色列民重新立約一事上表露無遺。摩西也向他們顯示，悖逆、反叛上帝只會招來災禍，最明顯的例子就是以色列人後來再度違逆上帝的命令，自行前去與亞摩利人爭戰，結果落荒而逃（1：42~44；民14：42~45）。以色列人必須明白，上帝的同在是他們得勝的要件，正如我們今天要過得勝的生活必須有祂同在一樣。
他們的父母因為不信，被上帝審判，不得進入迦南美地，且倒斃在曠野中。不過，上帝在施行審判時也表現了祂憐憫的心腸，因為祂不只容許敬虔的迦勒和約書亞得進迦南，所有以色列人的新生代也都能經歷上帝的應許。上帝使他們重新再來的應許現在實現了，因為祂的計畫絕不會被中止。
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Overview
Moses was addressing these same “little ones: whom their parents feared would be victims. They were now adults and on the verge of possessing the very land their fathers had spurned. Moses taught them about the past that they might learn from the mistakes of their parents, gain knowledge of the covenant that had been broken, and learn more of their God. Although they were now physically ready to enter the land, they had yet to become spiritually ready. Moses’ speech was important for the people to take to heart, for if it failed they might once again be rejected from entering the Promised Land.
Moses began from the beginning of their journey from the mountain range of Horeb, of which Sinai is one peak (the area where the Law had been given and the covenant ratified), on their way to possess their God-given land. He mentions that it is an eleven-day journey from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea(1:2), and from there they were to enter the land that God had given them as a possession; all they had to do was take it as one would receive a gift, but because of rebellion against God, their short journey turned into a thirty-eight-year ordeal.
In the final few months before his death, Moses was concerned that his people learn lasting things of significance from him. He wanted to be sure they would respect those whom God had put in authority over them, like Joshua (1:38) and they judges. He confirmed their judicial office in recalling the wise advice of his father-in-law, and he acted upon it in appointing them to help him bear the burden of all the people (Ex.18:17-21, 24). This served as a reminder that it was really God who was their judge and sovereign, so they were to always promote righteous administration of justice to all. In recalling this same instance, Moses showed God’s faithfulness in keeping His promise to Abraham about multiplying his seed (1:10; Gen.12:2; 15:5). He thus encouraged the new generation to step out in faith and take possession of Canaan, for in this, too, God would keep His promise.
Moses reveled how God had guided and carried Israel as a loving parent to the land He was giving them. God would go before them, fight for them, and give them the victory. Yet, in faithless fear, they had requested spies to first enter the land (1:22). This led to discouragement, complaining, rebellion, God’s anger, and their punishment. How could they have been so ungrateful as to say, “Because the Lord hates us” Especially when the opposite was so evident? Would the merciful God deliver them from bondage in Egypt only to see their death at the hands of the Amorites (1:27)? Moses wanted this younger generation to see that this was impossible and he challenged their faith. In fact, their standing before Moses was in itself a testimony of God’s goodness. In their parents’ rebellion and breach of the covenant, they had complained to God that their little ones would be victims, but here they all were, listening to Moses and learning of God’s covenant faithfulness.
Moses taught them of God’s grace and goodness, and it was illustrated by His renewing the covenant with them, even though they had been rebellious. Moses showed them that disobedience and rebellion against God can only bring disaster. This was evident in yet their second rebellion of going to fight without the Lord being with them (1:42-44; Num.14:42-45). Israel was to learn that God’s presence was essential for victory, just as it is for victory in our lives today.
Their parents’ disbelief brought God’s judgment upon them in being excluded from entering their beautiful land and in dying in the wilderness. However, even in His judgment, God still showed mercy, for not only the godly men, Caleb and Joshua, would be allowed to enter, but also the whole second generation of Israel (1:39). This promise to grant a gracious new beginning was now being fulfilled, for the purpose of God cannot be stopped.
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