Deuteronomy 1:1 These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan—that is, in the Arabah—opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab.
Moses opened his first speech by rebuking Israel. After only a few verses, Moses began reminding Israel of all the trouble they caused by rebelling against God in the desert. Moses could warn and rebuke Israel precisely because they knew how much he loved and cared for the people of Israel. They knew how much Moses had personally suffered and sacrificed for them, how he had pleaded with God on more than one occasion to save them from the harshest of punishments. This can be a lesson to all parents, grandparents, teachers, and leaders. The children of Israel were willing to hear Moses’ rebuke because they knew it came from a place of love. Before you criticize or rebuke someone, ask yourself if it is coming from a source of love. Do they know you love them?
