Deuteronomy 9: Pep Talk with Guilt

Synopsis:

Moses starts to pep people up by telling them that they get to cross the Jordan and even the children of Anak (the giants) will fall before them because God is on their side. But he isn’t doing it because you are righteous but because these other people are wicked.  Think about all the times you pissed God off.  Like that day we came out of Egypt or that day in Horeb, or that time when I was on the mount getting the 10 commandments and you all went and had a naked bacchanal. Or remember the times in Taberah and Massah and at Kibrothhattaayvah ye provoked the Lord to wrath?  Yeah – I had to talk him down.  I reminded him that you are his people and he did make a promise.

In other words:

Moses gives everyone a guilt trip for being so horrid and repeatedly denying God and pissing him off.

Favorite bit:

The entire chapter. It’s a litany of all the times they made God mad. It’s pretty awesome. They made God mad A LOT!

2nd favorite bit:

Deuteronomy 9:2,3 – A  people great and tall, the children of Anakm, who thou knowest and of whom that has heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak. Understand therefore this day, that the Lord thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and she shall bring them down before they face: so shall thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the Lord hath said unto thee.

Least favorite bit:

The ending of this chapter. It’s a bit of a letdown after the repetition of all the injustices and grievances God has against this people. It’s kind of like – you don’t deserve it – but He made a promise. So there you go.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Keep your promises, even if you don’t want to (Deuteronomy  9)