Moses Speaks to the People 40 Years after Leaving Egypt

This is the speech Moses gave in the desert east of the Jordan River, on the plains, near Suph, between Paran and Tophel, and near Laban, Hazeroth, and Di Zahab. He spoke to all the Israelites.

On the first day of the eleventh month in the fortieth year after they had left Egypt, Moses told the Israelites everything Yahweh had commanded him to tell them.

The Israelites were east of the Jordan River in Moab when Moses began to review God’s teachings.

Moses Reminds Israel of the Events at Mount Horeb

This is what he said:

Also at that time I gave these instructions to your judges: “Hear the cases that your people bring. Judge each case fairly, no matter whether it is a dispute between two Israelites or a dispute between an Israelite and a non-Israelite.

Moses Reminds Israel of the Events at Kadesh Barnea

So we left Mount Horeb, as Yahweh our Elohim had commanded. We traveled through all that vast and dangerous desert you saw on the way to the mountain region of the Amorites. At last we came to Kadesh Barnea.

But your assistant Joshua, son of Nun, will go there. Encourage him, because he will help Israel take possession of the land.

Moses Reminds Israel of the Events at Mount Seir

We went back into the desert, following the road that goes to the Red Sea as Yahweh had told me. For a long time we traveled around the region of Mount Seir.

The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau claimed their land, wiped them out, and took their place, as Israel did in the land that Yahweh gave them.

Moses Reminds Israel about Ammon

When the last of these soldiers had died,

Moses Reminds Israel about King Og and King Sihon

The Lord continued, “Now break camp. Cross the Arnon Valley. I’m going to hand King Sihon of Heshbon, the Amorite, over to you. Fight him, and take possession of his country.

Moses Reminds Israel of How They Defeated King Og of Bashan

Next we turned and followed the road that goes to Bashan. King Og of Bashan and all his troops came to fight us at Edrei.

I gave the tribes of Reuben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh this command: “Yahweh your Elohim has given you this land so that you can take possession of it. All your soldiers must be ready for battle when they cross the Jordan River ahead of the other Israelites.

Your soldiers will go with the other Israelites until they take possession of the land Yahweh your Elohim is giving them on the other side of the Jordan River. Then they will have a place to rest as you have. After that each of you may go back to the land I gave you.”

Moses Reminds Israel Why He Will Not Enter Canaan

Then I pleaded with Yahweh:

Moses Reminds Israel to Be Loyal to the Lord

Israel, listen to the laws and rules I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you will live and be able to enter and take possession of the land that Yahweh Elohim of your ancestors is giving you.

Introduction to Moses’ Teachings

This is what Moses taught the people of Israel.

These are the commandments, laws, and rules Moses gave the Israelites after they had left Egypt.

He gave these to the people when they were east of the Jordan River in the valley near Beth Peor, in the land of King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon. Moses and Israel defeated him after they left Egypt.

The Ten Commandments

Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: Israel, listen to the laws and rules I’m telling you today. Learn them and faithfully obey them.

Listen, Israel, and be careful to obey these laws. Then things will go well for you and your population will increase in a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh Elohim of your ancestors promised you.

Listen, Israel: Yahweh is our Elohim. Yahweh is the only God.

Israel Is Commanded to Destroy the Canaanites and Their Idols

Yahweh your Elohim will bring you to the land you’re about to enter and take possession of. He will force many nations out of your way: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—seven nations larger and more powerful than you.

Israel Told Never to Forget God

Be careful to obey every command I give you today. Then you will live, and your population will increase. You will enter and take possession of the land that Yahweh promised to your ancestors with an oath.

Israel Has Been Given Canaan because of God’s Mercy

Listen, Israel, you’re about to cross the Jordan River. You’ll be forcing out nations that are larger and stronger than you, with big cities that have sky-high walls.

The Israelites moved from the wells of the Jaakanites to Moserah. Aaron died there and was buried, and his son Eleazar succeeded him as priest.