Deuteronomy — Chapter 1

Moses delivers Deuteronomy (\"second law\") as a great sermon of exhortation to Israel assembled in the plains of Moab, rehearsing God's mighty deeds and renewing the Covenant before his death. The title Deuteronomium signifies not a second Law but a repetition and amplification of the Law already given.

The journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea was but eleven days; yet Israel wandered forty years, because of their murmuring and infidelity. Moses recounts this to humble them before entering Canaan.

Moses recalls the appointment of judges over thousands, hundreds, and fifties (cf. Ex. 18), that he alone could not bear so great a burden. This multiplicity of judges prefigures the governance of the Church through bishops, priests, and rulers under one Head.

Moses commands judges to fear no man in judgment, for judgment is God's. Lapide: the magistrate in his bench is as an altar, to which the oppressed flee for refuge.