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Commentary on Deuteronomy 1 verses 9–18
Moses here reminds them of the happy constitution of their government, which was such as might make them all safe and easy if it was not their own fault. When good laws were given them good men were entrusted with the execution of them, which, as it was an instance of God's goodness to them, so it was of the care of Moses concerning them; and, it should seem, he mentions it here to recommend himself to them as a man that sincerely sought their welfare, and so to make way for what he was about to say to them, wherein he aimed at nothing but their good. In this part of his narrative he insinuates to them,
I. That he greatly rejoiced in the increase of their numbers. He owns the accomplishment of God's promise to Abraham (Deu 1:10): You are as the stars of heaven for multitude; and prays for the further accomplishment of it (Deu 1:11): God make you a thousand times more. This prayer comes in in a parenthesis, and a good prayer prudently put in cannot be impertinent in any discourse of divine things, nor will a pious ejaculation break the coherence, but rather strengthen and adorn it. But how greatly are his desires enlarged when he prays that they might be made a thousand times more than they were! We are not straitened in the power and goodness of God, why should we be straitened in our own faith and hope, which ought to be as large as the promise? larger they need not be. It is from the promise that Moses here takes the measures of his prayer: The Lord bless you as he hath promised you. And why might he not hope that they might become a thousand times more than they were now when they were now ten thousand times more than they were when they went down into Egypt, about 250 years ago? Observe, When they were under the government of Pharaoh the increase of their numbers was envied, and complained of as a grievance (Exo 1:9); but now, under the government of Moses, it was rejoiced in, and prayed for as a blessing. The consideration of this might give them occasion to reflect with shame upon their own folly when they had talked of making a captain and returning to Egypt.
II. That he was not ambitious of monopolizing the honour of the government, and ruling them himself alone, as an absolute monarch, Deu 1:9. Though he was a man as well worthy of that honour, and as well qualified for the business, as ever any man was, yet he was desirous that others might be taken in as assistants to him in the business and consequently sharers with him in the honour: I cannot myself alone bear the burden, Deu 1:12. Magistracy is a burden. Moses himself, though eminently gifted for it, found it lay heavily on his shoulders; nay, the best magistrates complain most of the burden, and are most desirous of help, and most afraid of undertaking more than they can perform.
III. That he was not desirous to prefer his own creatures, or such as should underhand have a dependence upon him; for he leaves it to the people to choose their own judges, to whom he would grant commissions, not durant bene placito - to be turned out when he pleased; but quam diu se bene gesserint - to continue so long as they approved themselves faithful. Take you wise men, that are known to be so among your tribes, and I will make them rulers, Deu 1:13. Thus the apostles directed the multitude to choose overseers of the poor, and then they ordained them,. Act 6:3, Act 6:6. He directs them to take wise men and understanding, whose personal merit would recommend them. The rise and origin of this nation were so late that none of them could pretend to antiquity of race, and nobility of birth, above their brethren; and, having all lately come out of slavery in Egypt, it is probable that one family was not much richer than another; so that their choice must be directed purely by the qualifications of wisdom, experience, and integrity. "Choose those," says Moses, "whose praise is in your tribes, and with all my heart I will make them rulers." We must not grudge that God's work be done by other hands than ours, provided it be done by good hands.
IV. That he was in this matter very willing to please the people; and, though he did not in any thing aim at their applause, yet in a thing of this nature he would not act without their approbation. And they agreed to the proposal: The thing which thou hast spoken is good, Deu 1:14. This he mentions to aggravate the sin of their mutinies and discontents after this, that the government they quarrelled with was what they themselves had consented to; Moses would have pleased them if they would have been pleased.
V. That he aimed to edify them as well as to gratify them; for,
1.He appointed men of good characters (Deu 1:15), wise men and men known, men that would be faithful to their trust and to the public interest.
2.He gave them a good charge, Deu 1:16, Deu 1:17. Those that are advanced to honour must know that they are charged with business, and must give account another day of their charge. (1.) He charges them to be diligent and patient: Hear the causes. Hear both sides, hear them fully, hear them carefully; for nature has provided us with two ears, and he that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to him. The ear of the learner is necessary to the tongue of the learned, Isa 50:4. (2.) To be just and impartial: Judge righteously. Judgment must be given according to the merits of the cause, without regard to the quality of the parties. The natives must not be suffered to abuse the strangers any more that the strangers to insult the natives or to encroach upon them; the great must not be suffered to oppress the small, nor to crush them, any more than the small, to rob the great, or to affront them. No faces must be known in judgment, but unbribed unbiased equity must always pass sentence. (3.) To be resolute and courageous: "You shall not be afraid of the face of man; be not overawed to do an ill thing, either by the clamours of the crowd or by the menaces of those that have power in their hands." And he gave them a good reason to enforce this charge: "For the judgment is God's. You are God's viceregents, you act for him, and therefore must act like him; you are his representatives, but if you judge unrighteously, you misrepresent him. The judgment is his, and therefore he will protect you in doing right, and will certainly call you to account if you do wrong."
3.He allowed them to bring all difficult cases to him, and he would always be ready to hear and determine, and to make both the judges and the people easy. Happy art thou. O Israel! in such praise as Moses was.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:10 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, specifically the Abrahamic promise of innumerable descendants. Spoken by Moses to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, this verse serves as a powerful historical affirmation that the once small family of Jacob had indeed multiplied into a vast nation, a multitude as countless as the stars of heaven. It underscores divine power, miraculous growth, and the absolute reliability of God's word, providing both a historical anchor and a foundational encouragement for the challenges of inheriting the Promised Land.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 1:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with impact and theological depth. The most prominent is Simile, vividly expressed in the phrase "as the stars of heaven for multitude." This comparison draws on a common ancient Near Eastern image of countlessness, but here it carries profound theological weight, directly echoing God's covenant promises to Abraham. This Allusion or Echo to earlier Abrahamic narratives is a crucial device, powerfully reminding the audience of God's long-standing faithfulness and the historical trajectory of His redemptive plan. The statement also contains an element of Hyperbole, as the number of Israelites, while vast, was not literally infinite like the stars; however, the exaggeration effectively conveys the miraculous and overwhelming scale of their divinely orchestrated growth. The declarative tone, attributing the multiplication directly to "The LORD your God," functions as a strong Theological Affirmation, grounding the nation's existence and prosperity firmly in divine action rather than human effort or natural progression.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:10 is a cornerstone for understanding God's covenant faithfulness and His active involvement in the history of His people. It powerfully demonstrates that divine promises, even those seemingly impossible or long-delayed, are meticulously fulfilled in history. The miraculous multiplication of Israel from a single family to a vast nation underscores God's sovereign power over life and demographics, proving His reliability and the efficacy of His spoken word. This demonstrable fulfillment serves as a profound encouragement to the Israelites on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, assuring them that the God who kept His promise of numerous descendants will also faithfully keep His promise of giving them the land. It reinforces the theological truth that God's character is one of unwavering fidelity, providing a historical anchor for future trust and obedience in the face of daunting challenges.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:10 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today that God is utterly faithful to His promises, regardless of how improbable they may seem from a human perspective. Just as He miraculously multiplied Israel from a small family into a vast nation, so too does He work in our lives and communities, often exceeding our expectations and human capabilities. This verse encourages us to trust implicitly in God's word and His perfect timing, even when circumstances appear insurmountable or when the fulfillment of a promise feels distant. It calls us to reflect on the myriad ways God has been faithful in our own lives, acknowledging His sovereign hand in our growth, provision, and the unfolding of His divine plans. Furthermore, the broader context of this verse, leading into Moses' need for shared leadership, reminds us that divine blessing and growth often necessitate new structures, shared responsibilities, and humble reliance on God's wisdom in administration. We are called to recognize God's active, sustaining presence in our personal journeys and in the collective life of the church, celebrating His past faithfulness as a firm foundation for future trust and obedient living.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the phrase "as the stars of heaven for multitude" in this verse?
Answer: The phrase "as the stars of heaven for multitude" is profoundly significant because it directly echoes God's original, unconditional promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:5 and reiterated in Genesis 22:17. It serves as a powerful declaration that this seemingly impossible divine oath, made centuries earlier, has now been visibly and undeniably fulfilled. It signifies not just numerical growth, but a miraculous, divinely orchestrated multiplication that transcends human capacity, demonstrating God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant word. For the Israelites on the plains of Moab, it was a tangible sign of God's reliability, providing profound assurance that He would also fulfill His promise to give them the land of Canaan, as the God who keeps His word.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:10, while celebrating the physical multiplication of Israel as a testament to God's covenant faithfulness, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Christ. The promise to Abraham was not merely about a physical lineage but also about a spiritual seed through whom all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Paul, in Galatians 3:16, clarifies that "the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, 'And to offsprings,' referring to many, but referring to one, 'And to your offspring,' who is Christ." Therefore, the true "multitude" of Abraham's descendants, "as the stars of heaven," is ultimately the vast, global company of believers—both Jew and Gentile—who are united in Christ through faith (Galatians 3:29). The "multiplication" God promised is fulfilled in the exponential growth of the Church, the spiritual Israel, drawing countless individuals from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation into God's family, a multitude so vast that no one can number it (Revelation 7:9). Thus, Deuteronomy 1:10 foreshadows the even greater, spiritual multiplication that God accomplishes through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ, gathering His chosen people from all corners of the earth into His eternal kingdom.