V.1-6 Something new to learn — the land to which they were going was a land where the people were much more mighty than Israel. How then would they be able to overcome them? By God only. What did it matter how strong the enemy was! (Rom. 8:3131What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)).
V.4-6 Remember the difference between the promises made to Abraham (Gen. 15:1818In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: (Genesis 15:18)) and of the agreement God made with Israel (Ex. 19:5-85Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. 7And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him. 8And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. (Exodus 19:5‑8)). The first was unconditional, the second on condition that Israel obeyed. So these verses are to remind them that they are not getting the land because of the second, but because of the first!
V.7-29 Once again God takes more verses to warn.
V.24 Just about tells their whole history. God must remind them of how bad they were. Unless we see how bad we are by nature, we never realize that through Christ alone we live. There is power in our life when we learn this.
V.25-29 What a wonderful prayer of Moses! He had prayed for 40 days to God not to destroy them at the beginning of their journey. Now he has to pray for them again. Notice he recalls God’s first unconditional promise to Abraham! It is important to read this chapter carefully.