It’s hard not to view the book of Deuteronomy as God’s instructions to us, just as much as it was Moses’ instructions to Israel. The themes just overlap so much.
For instance, Moses tells them to listen to the Word of God (Deuteronomy 4:1-2); God tells us to listen (Matthew 11:15). He tells them to obey (Deuteronomy 30:15-20); God tells us to obey (John 14:15). Moses tells them to circumcise their hearts (Deuteronomy 10:16); Paul told us the same (Romans 2:29).
For that reason, Canaan operates as a type of “Heaven” for us. They have a promised land, and we have a promised land (Hebrews 4). Although the laws are different (Old vs New Covenants), the relationship between man and God is described in great detail throughout the whole book.
With that in mind, key in on what God tells the people in Deuteronomy 1:8: “See, I have placed the land before you; go in and possess the land.”
If I didn’t know any better, and was just jumping into the Bible at this point, I would think God is talking about a vacant lot just over the Jordan River. Almost as if my friend has told me, “Hey, that house is just sitting vacant. Just go squat for a while and it’s yours.”
But He’s not describing an open tract of land. We know that what God refers to here is an area filled with “giants,” armies, and kings that have ruled over their land for a few hundred years by this point. That’s the physical reality of Canaan.
That reality isn’t God’s reality, though. He doesn’t see the obstacles, He just sees the results.
In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul talks about all the difficulties he experienced in his ministries. But then, in 2 Corinthians 4:18, he says that “we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen…which are eternal.”
It takes a special kind of perspective to see things God’s way. We have a tendency, like the Israelites, to look at every inconvenience along the way instead of focusing on the end result of our faith, which, in Paul’s words, is “far beyond all comparison” to anything experienced on this earth.
It’s a lot like a dad who has bought tickets to Disney for his family. Depending on where you live, Florida (or California, your choice) is a long drive from your house. Even if you fly, there’s still the matter of rental cars, departure times, and more that could arise.
But would anyone in their right mind skip a trip to Disney because they have to fill up for gas in Arkansas? Would anyone at the airport decide to turn around and go home just because their flight was delayed for a couple hours?
Absolutely not, because the destination was worth the trip.
That’s what God means in this passage. The end result is already secured; Canaan is theirs. They just have to get moving and go take it.
Sure, there’ll be bumps along the way, but those things aren’t bad—in fact, they build their faith by increasing reliance on God.
Some people only see the obstacles. God’s people see the end result. Which one are you?