Deuteronomy Chapter 31
It has been said that the most important words a man will ever speak are the words he says upon his deathbed. This chapter continues the words spoken by Moses, not on his deathbed, but shortly before God called him home. He had been told by God that he was soon going to die, and he used this time to the fullest to record the words of God, to plead with the people to listen to the words of God and to instruct the people of the words of God. The legacy that Moses wanted to leave behind was that he wanted the people to see the importance of following God with their whole heart.
Moses was the only leader the people had ever known. Now Joshua was commissioned by the LORD to pick up the mantle and lead the people across the Jordan. Moses was leaving them, but the LORD was not. He would never leave them.
Let's Reflect
1. How old was Moses at this point when God told him he was going to die?
2. Moses told the people that he was no longer able to go out and come in which meant he was commanded by God that he could no longer lead the people. God had specifically told Moses that he would not be allowed to cross what landmark?
3. The previous generation had been too afraid of the inhabitants of the promised land, but the generation standing before Moses was reminded that God would go before them and He would give them the victory. What example did Moses give them to think about, a time when God had already given them victory over kings who had attacked them?
4. All of the laws that had been given in the previous chapters were recorded by Moses. He instructed them to be read to the people every 7 years. He instructed them to read them to the people during what festival?
5. In what way did God make it known that He was commissioning Joshua to take the place of Moses?
6. God told Moses and Joshua that in the future, the people of Israel were going to whore after other gods. According to verses 17 and 18 what would happen as a result of their betrayal?
“Hiding his face (Deuteronomy 31:17-18; 32:20) is the converse of making his face to shine on his people and turning his face toward them as in the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:25-26).” [Kalland]
Numbers 6:25-26 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
7. Where did Moses instruct the Levites to keep the book of the Law?
8. Moses wanted them to keep the book in a visible place because it would serve as a reminder. What future event did Moses know to be true about the people? Moses knew this because he had experienced it as their leader, He knew it under the Spirit of God, and he knew it because God had verbally told him in the tent of meeting.
In the next chapter we will read the song that God instructed Moses to write. It will be another way that God will use words to remind the people who they belong to.
