These are the words [hadavarim] which Moses spoke unto all Israel on this side of the Jordan; in the wilderness in the plain across Suph [the plain at Sinai], between Paran and Tophel; and at Lavan, and at Hazeroth, and at Di-zahav. (Deu 1:1)
Deuteronomy begins with Moses speaking to Israel’s seed on the plains of Moab, just across and a little south of Jericho. So when I read the words “this side of the Jordan” I assumed that the place we were standing on was the place called “this side of the Jordan.” I assumed this because sometimes my understandings are very small and unable to see the larger picture Yehovah is presenting for those who have eyes (spiritual eyes) that do see.
Sometimes it is easy to be blinded by our present circumstances and miss the reality of what Yehovah wants to do in our lives. I looked at the map in this picture and did not find a single one of those bolded places in the above verse. “What is going on here?”, I asked myself.
Then it hit me. Context, context, context is what this is all about; understanding Yehovah’s word within the context of Yehovah’s word. Where did Yehovah speak all His words [His davarim] to us prior to our coming to this place across from Jericho? Suddenly I realized that all these places on this side of the Jordan; were not that place opposite Jericho, but rather that place we have been since we crossed over the Red Sea (40 years before) and entered into Yehovah’s ruler-ship. These seem to be the places where Moses received the words of Yehovah and gave them to His son, Israel.
Suph is the Red Sea; so the plain opposite, or across, the Suph is the plain we dwelt in for almost a year at Sinai (a.k.a Horeb) after we left Pharaoh’s kingdom. It was there that we, Yehovah’s ezrach men, began to learn again Yehovah’s eternal and unchanging words.
Next, our verse says, “between Paran and Tophel.” Let’s take a look at those two places.
Paran is the wilderness of Paran. This is the first place we went after we left the plain at Sinai.
Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle of the Testimony. And Israel’s son set out from the Wilderness of Sinai on their journeys; then the cloud settled down in the Wilderness of Paran. (Num 10:11-12)
Tophel – Easton Bible Dictionary describes this place as the territory “on the west side of the Edomitish mountains.” This would be the last place we went before we began our conquest of Canaan. (Kadesh Barnea).
So now look at how verse 2 reads.
It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. (Deu 1:2)
This 11 day journey from the plain of Sinai (Horeb) to Tophel (the territory on the west side of the Edomitish mountains) or Kadesh Barnea only took us 40 years to traverse. Why? I believe it was because it was much easier to leave Egypt than to get Egypt out of us.
Again, the places on this side of the Jordan are the places we have been since we crossed-over the Red Sea, the Suph and entered into Yehovah’s jurisdictional authority.
The other places enumerated in verse one appear to be 3 more places where Yehovah spoke to us through Moses.
This side of the Jordan
I see our crossing the Jordan and the beginning of the conquest of Canaan, like the beginning of the tribulation in which we (the Ezrach, Yehovah’s son and heir) will begin (in each one of our set-apart locations – the places in which the pillars of fire and smoke dwell) to take the whole planet for Yehovah’s kingdom. And the land we take, will become our land just as it did in Canaan. After all:
The earth is Yehovah’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. (Psa 24:1)
The question we must all ask is this. Will I be one of those claiming land for Yehovah’s kingdom or one of those who will be destroyed? The difference between the two are one dwells in heaven and the other dwells on earth.
For us (men) who have left their covenants with the kingdom of our birth and have crossed-over into Yehovah’s ruling authority we must now think in terms of “this side of the great shaking.” This great shaking in going to turn the whole world into a wilderness just like after the real Passover we had when we finally crossed-over the Jordan and then saw the fall of Canaan’s protective city, Jericho.
It is always a joy for me when I uncover a riddle in Yehovah’s word and see, once again, Yehovah’s plan for the future. Please remember!
That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new?” It has already been in ancient times before us. (Ecc 1:9-10)
So much to learn, so little time. I hope you will enjoy this recorded Sabbath class.
This Side Of The Jordan
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