Deuteronomy 1:31

And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.

And in the wilderness {H4057}, where thou hast seen {H7200} how that the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} bare {H5375} thee, as a man {H376} doth bear {H5375} his son {H1121}, in all the way {H1870} that ye went {H1980}, until ye came {H935} into this place {H4725}.

and likewise in the desert, where you saw how ADONAI your God carried you, like a man carries his child, along the entire way you traveled until you arrived at this place.

and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.”

and in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that Jehovah thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came unto this place.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:31, spoken by Moses, serves as a powerful reminder to the Israelites of God's unwavering faithfulness and tender care during their challenging forty-year journey through the wilderness. This verse encapsulates the divine provision and protection they experienced, likening God's attentiveness to that of a loving father nurturing his child.

Context

This verse is part of Moses's opening address to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab, just before they were to enter the Promised Land. Moses recounts the history of their journey from Egypt, emphasizing God's miraculous interventions and consistent presence. He reminds them of past failures and God's enduring patience, setting the stage for the laws and covenant stipulations that follow. The reference to "this place" signifies their current encampment, at the very threshold of their inheritance, highlighting the culmination of God's guidance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Care: The verse highlights God's constant oversight and provision for His people through extreme conditions. Despite the harsh realities of the wilderness, God ensured their survival, providing food, water, and protection.
  • God's Paternal Love: The tender metaphor, "as a man doth bear his son," vividly portrays God's compassionate, patient, and protective love. It emphasizes a personal, intimate relationship, showing God as a nurturing Father who carries His children through life's difficulties. This is a profound illustration of God's tender, fatherly love for His people.
  • Faithfulness Through Adversity: The wilderness journey was fraught with trials, doubts, and rebellion. Yet, God's commitment to His covenant people remained steadfast. This verse serves as a testament to His enduring faithfulness, even when Israel faltered.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "bare" is nasa' (נָשָׂא), which means to lift, carry, bear, or support. It conveys the idea of God actively lifting up, sustaining, and carrying the Israelites through their arduous journey. This isn't passive observation but an active, involved carrying, much like a parent carries a child who is too weak or weary to walk on their own. It underscores the profound dependency of Israel on God and His willingness to meet their every need.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 1:31 offers immense comfort and encouragement to believers today. Just as God faithfully cared for Israel in the wilderness, He promises to sustain and carry His people through their own trials and challenges. This verse reminds us that:

  • God is Our Constant Provider: We can trust Him to meet our needs, even in seemingly impossible circumstances.
  • God's Love is Personal and Tender: He cares for us with the intimate affection of a loving Father. When we feel overwhelmed, we can remember that He "bears" us.
  • We Are Not Alone: No matter how long or difficult the "wilderness" seasons of life may be, God is with us "in all the way that ye went," guiding us until we reach our destination. This echoes the promise of His presence, as seen in Matthew 28:20.

This verse invites us to reflect on God's past faithfulness in our lives and to trust Him confidently for the future, knowing that He is always carrying us through.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 46:3 (11 votes)

    Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne [by me] from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

  • Isaiah 46:4 (11 votes)

    And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].

  • Hosea 11:3 (8 votes)

    I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

  • Hosea 11:4 (8 votes)

    I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

  • Deuteronomy 32:10 (8 votes)

    He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

  • Deuteronomy 32:12 (8 votes)

    [So] the LORD alone did lead him, and [there was] no strange god with him.

  • Acts 13:18 (8 votes)

    And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.