Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 9

Verses 1-29

It is interesting to note that as the final announcement of their approaching entrance to the land was made the difficulties which the people had faced at Kadesh-barnea were recognized as still confronting them, and they were shown that these difficulties were not difficulties to God. Moses also insisted that they were not being taken into the land because of their righteousness but as the instruments of God's government of the world.

The truth so declared was further emphasized by a repetition of the sad story of their failure which had manifested itself from the very beginning of their history, their coming out of Egypt. In Horeb they had provoked the Lord to wrath and were saved only by the intervention of Moses. At Taberah the spirit of discontent brought down on them the fire of God. At Massah they had doubted God and provoked Him. At Kibroth-hattaavah they murmured because of their privations. Finally, at Kadesh-barnea they had refused belief in God. All these facts thus massed demonstrated the truth of the affirmation that they were not being brought into the land because they were righteous.