The LORD our God said to us at Horeb:This phrase establishes the divine authority behind the message. "The LORD our God" emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. Horeb, another name for Mount Sinai, is significant as the place where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses (Exodus 19-20). This location is central to the Israelites' identity as God's chosen people. The use of "our God" highlights the personal and communal relationship the Israelites have with God, distinguishing Him from the gods of surrounding nations. This phrase also connects to the broader narrative of God's guidance and provision throughout the Israelites' journey.
You have stayed at this mountain long enough.
This statement marks a transition from a period of preparation to action. The Israelites had been at Mount Horeb for about a year, receiving the Law and organizing themselves as a nation (Exodus 19:1,Numbers 10:11). The phrase suggests a divine prompting to move forward, indicating that the time of instruction and preparation is complete. It reflects a common biblical theme of moving from a place of comfort or stagnation to a new phase of faith and obedience. This command to move can be seen as a type of spiritual growth, urging believers to not become complacent but to continue pursuing God's purposes. Theologically, it underscores the importance of obedience to God's timing and direction, a theme echoed in other scriptures such asEcclesiastes 3:1 andHebrews 6:1.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who speaks to His people and guides them.
2.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who communicates God's commands to the people.
3.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land.
4.
Horeb (Mount Sinai)The mountain where God gave the Ten Commandments and made a covenant with Israel.
5.
The ExodusThe event of Israel's liberation from Egyptian slavery, leading to their journey through the wilderness.
Teaching Points
God's Timing and DirectionGod knows when it is time for us to move forward. We must be attentive to His guidance and not become complacent in our current situation.
Spiritual Growth Requires MovementJust as the Israelites were called to leave Horeb, we are called to grow and not remain stagnant in our spiritual lives. This involves stepping out in faith and trusting God's plan.
Obedience to God's CommandThe Israelites' journey was marked by obedience to God's commands. We, too, must be willing to follow God's instructions, even when it requires leaving our comfort zones.
The Importance of Remembering God's FaithfulnessAs the Israelites prepared to leave Horeb, they were reminded of God's faithfulness. We should regularly reflect on how God has been faithful in our lives, which strengthens our trust in Him.
Preparation for the Promised LandThe journey from Horeb was a step towards the Promised Land. In our lives, we should be preparing for the ultimate promise of eternal life with God, living in a way that reflects His kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 1:6?
2.How does Deuteronomy 1:6 encourage us to move forward in our faith journey?
3.What does "You have stayed at this mountain long enough" signify for believers today?
4.How can we discern when God is calling us to leave our comfort zones?
5.What other biblical examples show God prompting His people to take action?
6.How can we apply the message of Deuteronomy 1:6 in our daily lives?
7.What does Deuteronomy 1:6 reveal about God's timing and human impatience?
8.How does Deuteronomy 1:6 challenge our understanding of divine guidance?
9.Why did God command the Israelites to leave Horeb in Deuteronomy 1:6?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 1?
11.What defines the Judeo-Christian ethic?
12.What is Mount Horeb's significance in the Bible?
13.How can a 'divine council' (Psalm 82:1) fit with passages claiming there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4)?
14.Deuteronomy 9:6 - Why does this passage emphasize Israel's unworthiness while other parts of the law emphasize adherence to commandments for blessings and favor?What Does Deuteronomy 1:6 Mean
The LORD Our GodThe verse opens by naming the One who initiates everything—the covenant-keeping LORD (Yahweh), “our God.” The emphasis is on relationship and authority:
• He is personal—“our God” (Psalm 95:7).
• He is sovereign—His word defines reality (Genesis 1:3;Isaiah 46:10).
Because He is both near and supreme, His commands are not suggestions but divine directives, binding on His people (John 14:15).
Said To UsMoses reminds Israel that God “said to us,” highlighting:
• Corporate responsibility: the whole nation heard (Exodus 19:7-8).
• Covenant continuity: the same God who spoke at Sinai now leads them onward (Hebrews 12:25-26).
When God speaks, His people are expected to listen and respond in obedience (James 1:22).
At HorebHoreb (another name for Sinai) was the place of revelation—where Israel received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19–20). Mentioning it recalls:
• God’s past faithfulness—fire, cloud, and thunder (Deuteronomy 4:10-14).
• Israel’s purpose—formed as a holy nation (Exodus 19:6).
Memory of God’s acts fuels present obedience (Psalm 77:11-12).
You Have StayedThe statement confronts stagnation. Israel camped at Sinai for about a year (Numbers 10:11-12). While the stay served to establish worship and order (Leviticus 1:1), remaining indefinitely would turn blessing into complacency (Proverbs 6:9-11). God’s people must keep moving toward their inheritance (Philippians 3:13-14).
At This MountainThe specific location matters: the mountain that once trembled with God’s presence (Exodus 19:18). Yet holiness is not tied to geography alone; obedience must travel (John 4:21-24). God reminds Israel that sacred encounters equip them for mission, not for permanent camping (Matthew 17:4-5).
Long Enough“Long enough” signals divine timing. What felt comfortable to Israel was now hindering progress (Ecclesiastes 3:1). God’s timetable presses them toward Canaan—the fulfillment of promise sworn to Abraham (Genesis 12:7). Delayed obedience risks unbelief (Hebrews 3:15-19).
SummaryDeuteronomy 1:6 teaches that the covenant LORD calls His people out of settled comfort into forward-moving faith. Past revelation at Horeb grounds them, but His fresh command propels them. Remaining where God once met us becomes disobedience when He says, “Go.” Thus, the verse challenges believers to cherish God’s past faithfulness while courageously advancing toward His promised future.
(6)
The Lord our God spake unto us in Horeb.--The "Lord our God," "Jehovah our Elohim," is the watchword of the whole book.
Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount.--From the beginning of the second month of the first year of the exodus (Exodus 19:1) to the twentieth day of the second month of the second year (Numbers 10:11). This was theperiod of organisation,in which the people received the Law and were organised as a church militant, an army encamped around the tabernacle of God. This year and its institutions fill up exactlyone-thirdof the text of the Pentateuch.
Verse 6. - With this verse begins Moses' first address to the people, which extends to the end of
Deuteronomy 4. It is of an introductory character, and is occupied chiefly with a retrospective survey of the events that had occurred during the forty years of their wanderings. By this Moses reminded the people how God had fulfilled his promises to them, and at the same time, how they had by their rebellion drawn down on them his displeasure, which had caused their wanderings to be so much more protracted than they would otherwise have been.
Verses 6-8. - The Lord's command to depart from Horeb, and his promise to the people.
Verse 6. -
The Lord our God- Jehovah our God. The use of this epithet implies the covenant union of Israel with Jehovah, and presupposes the existence of that covenant which was entered into at Sinai.
In Horeb. This was the starting-point, so to speak, of Israel's being as the special people of God - his
segullah (
סְגֻּלָּה,
Exodus 19:5), his special treasure. There he made himself known to them as Jehovah, the Eternal and Unchangeable, and entered into covenant with them; and there they received that Law, on the keeping of which depended their retention of the privileges to which they had been elected. At Horeb the Israelites had remained for about a year (comp.
Exodus 19. I and
Numbers 10:11, 12), and as the purpose for which they had been brought thither was answered, they were enjoined to move, not indeed by express command, but by the rising of the cloud from over the tabernacle, which was the signal of their march (
Numbers 9:15, etc.; Numbers 10:11-13), preceded by the instructions they had received preparatory to their removal (Numbers 50:4-7).
Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount. The Israelites remained at Sinai from the third month of the first year to the twentieth day of the second year after they came out of Egypt (cf.
Exodus 19:1 and
Numbers 10:11).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
“The LORDיְהוָ֧ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelour Godאֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ(’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativesaidדִּבֶּ֥ר(dib·ber)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdueto usאֵלֵ֖ינוּ(’ê·lê·nū)Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toat Horeb:בְּחֹרֵ֣ב(bə·ḥō·rêḇ)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2722:Horeb -- 'waste', a mountain in SinaiYou have stayedשֶׁ֖בֶת(še·ḇeṯ)Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marryat thisהַזֶּֽה׃(haz·zeh)Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, thatmountainבָּהָ֥ר(bā·hār)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022:Mountain, hill, hill countrylong enough.רַב־(raḇ-)Adverb
Strong's 7227:Much, many, great
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 1:6 Yahweh our God spoke to us (Deut. De Du) 
