1: 5 - East of the Jordan in the territory of Moab, Moses began to expound this law, saying:

East of the Jordan Moses "began to expound this law." Historically, this moment was opportune. According to Jos 4:19, Israel would cross the Jordan to begin their conquest of the Promised Land "on the tenth day of the first month." That's just over two months away! Besides, it has become obvious to Moses that his death was imminent (4:22; 31:27). This was Moses' last opportunity to make clear to the flock he has led for the last forty years (many of whom he has seen born) what it means to live as God's people in God's land. More than at any time in the past, GenB needs to be clear about this matter. So, here Moses expounds the law.

Two words invite comments.

First, the verb 'expound,' be'er. Its basic meaning is "making clear what has been written down," which is what we find Moses doing in the rest of Deuteronomy. He would explain how the instructions already given by Yahweh were to be exercised, sometimes differently from the past, once Israel settles in the land. This, of course, is the essence of exposition—that, though the revealed word of God remains the same, it will assume different expressions when contextualized to differing circumstances. The task of the expositor is to clarify how this contextualization is effected. To this task then Moses devoted his energies in the last days of his life. Now, is there anything truly more precious that a leader of God's flock can leave behind for them than that of the Word of God clearly expounded?

Second, the English word "began to" used in some English translations to render the Hebrew verb ho'il, is rather too weak in this instance. Ho'il (the Hiphil form of the verb ya'al) always refers to a volitional, deliberate, decision to act, to take the initiative. That is, Moses took to the task with impassioned determination. The clear sense of the verse is, therefore, "Moses undertook to clarify this torah." The rest of the book is, therefore, a report of this exposition.

That he should have done this stands testimony to what God can do with a person who is prepared, even if only reluctantly in the beginning, to let himself be used by God. When first confronted by God at the burning bush to bring Israel out of Egypt Moses could see himself only as "slow of speech and tongue" (Exo.4:10). Forty years later, he would volitionally decide to "proclaim to the Israelites all that Yahweh had commanded him concerning them." If this is what God can do for one man, he can do it for anyone who would believe. This, of course, is the bedrock that shapes Deuteronomy's topography of faith. Would we let God do that with us? Would you ho'il to the task of preaching and teaching the Word to your flock with all that you have? Would you set the example and challenge your flock to do the same?

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