Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 1:6-25.

Moses begins his first sermon in Deuteronomy by rewinding the clock forty years, to the time when the LORD told His people to leave Sinai. He sent them toward the land He had promised to their fathers. According to the LORD’s promise to Abraham, the nation had grown extensively. Even as Moses prayed in thanksgiving and for such continued multiplication, he recognized his own inability to lead such a huge nation. Godly wisdom is on display throughout Moses’ work to put leaders in place who will lead in faithfulness to the LORD. When the LORD gave the command to enter into the Promised Land, the people initially sent spies into the land and recognized that the land God was giving them was good. God’s faithfulness to His promise dominates this part of Moses’ first sermon.


“The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened Israel on the plains of Moab before the people entered the Promised Land, so the book of Deuteronomy still strengthens the Church as we prepare to enter the Resurrection with Christ, the Prophet greater than Moses.