The name Deuteronomy means the Second Law. In the book of Exodus the Law was first given through Moses at Sinai shortly after the people had left Egypt. In the Deuteronomy the Law is being emphasised by Moses again, but now it is 40 years after Sinai (v3), and Moses is speaking to a next generation who is about to enter the Promised Land (v6-8).

Moses recounts the history of the Israelites, including appointing leaders (v9-18), how they previously had come to the edge of the Promised Land (v19-25), how the people refused to enter because of fear (v26-28), despite the strong words of reassurance from Moses (v29-33). Moses shares how God in His anger promised that none of that generation would enter the Promised Land (v34-35), except faithful Caleb and Joshua (v36-40), how the people then foolishly tried to go themselves (v41-46) only to be defeated.

Moses is surely teaching this so that this generation will learn from the sins of the past and so not make the same grave mistakes. What lessons from past failures in your life and in others can you learn from?