Praying for More: A Blessing (Deut 1.11)

May the LORD, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times more and bless you, as he has promised you!

Deuteronomy 1.11

Background

The book of Deuteronomy begins with Moses addressing the people of Israel. They stand in the desert of Moab beside a mountain. They had been camping there for some time, waiting at the border of the Promised Land.

Moses reminds them that, when they were staying at Horeb to the south, God had said they had been there long enough. It was time to go to the Promised Land, where He would give them back the land of their ancestors.

Moses told the people that he would not be able to lead them there—they had become so numerous that he was unable to be a judge over so many. He suggested that they appoint leaders from each section and each tribe. They did so, and Israel gained its first structured government. Having taken care of those organizational needs, they set out for the Promised Land. When they arrived, they were afraid of the inhabitants and refused to cross the border.

Moses described their lack of faith and their unwillingness to accept God’s offer of new land, protection, and victory. How they had once tried to win the land on their own, without God, and had suffered defeat. Moses continued to describe their history, God’s promises, and their failures. Finally, he arrived at the climax of the speech: it is time to enter the Promised Land.

The prayer comes at the beginning of Moses’ speech.