Wednesday, February 15, 2012

In today's reading, Deuteronomy 1-4, Moses recounts the events of the past 40 years.  It is his farewell speech to the Israelites.  In it he reminds them of past sins, punishments and promises.  In it he stresses to them the importance of carefully following the commands of God.  He talks several times of his own sin that is keeping him out of the promised land.  For the most part, it is a factual account of events.  However, at one point he also blames the Israelites for his sins.  He shares that he pleaded with God, and was finally told not to speak of his request again.  Even Moses must bear the consequences for his sin.