We are closing in on the conclusion of our study of Deuteronomy with the last four chapters ahead of us. These last four chapters are the very last words of Moses as well as Moses emphasizing to the Israelites that Joshua would be the divinely-chosen successor in leadership.
So, when we pick up with 31:1, we see Moses emphasizing, once again, that it is God who has given them the land (vs 3) and it is Joshua who will lead the effort. Satan attacks often when there is a change in leadership and it could have occurred in this moment if, perhaps, Moses had not emphasized Joshua’s position.
In verse 6, Moses gives two imperatives and four more verbs with imperatival force to Israel and he’ll do the same specifically to Joshua in verse 7: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Subsequently, Moses wrote the law and gave it to the priests to store in the ark of the covenant (vs 9). Israel was to read the law every seven years (at least) during the Feast of Booths (vs 11). If they had read the law, they would have: heard, learned, feared and observed “all the words of this law” (vs 12) and their children would have done the same (vs 13).
Moses gives the leadership mantle to Joshua (vss 14-15) but warns that Israel is going to leave God, worship idols, and be punished by God (vss 16-18). For that purpose, God inspired Moses to write a song (recorded in chapter 32). Please observe verse 19: “Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel.” Theology is intended to be taught through songs. Our song service is a much a part of “indoctrination” as the sermon and Bible study are. Singing and, thereby, teaching and admonishing one another are an integral part of Christian strength and growth. In verse 21, that song would “testify” as a witness to God’s nature and expectations. In modern times, instrumental music drowns out and obscures that teaching and admonishing.
When all the elders of Israel and their officers were assembled together (vs 28), Moses spoke the words to the song recorded in chapter 32. We cannot take the time to thoroughly study this song but we’ll make a few notes. Observe the description of God in 32:4. In contrast to God, Israel has been corrupt, defective, perverse, and crooked (vs 5). He was their Father, Maker, and Sustainer (vs 6).
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Among all the nations which God had formed (vs 8), Israel was His special people, His special possession (vs 9). Reminiscent of His “eagles’ wings” speech in Exodus 19 (vs 4), God says He cared for Israel as an eagle (vs 11-12). But when the “upright” (“Jeshurun”) nation of Israel grew fat, they turned their back on God (vs 15) and sacrificed to demons (vs 17). By default, if you do not worship God, your worship is demonic.
The rest of the song are continued threats of punishment if/when Israel goes into idolatry. When Moses and Joshua had finished teaching this song to Israel, Moses challenged them to take the song to their hearts (vs 45; cf. Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). The song, with its call for faithful obedience, was their life (vs 47).
Finally, in verses 48-52, God prepares Moses to go up to Mount Nebo where he’ll get a glimpse of the Promised Land and then die. He could not enter the land because of his disobedience back in Numbers 20. Please observe the ways God describes Moses’ disobedience: “you broke faith” and “you did not treat Me as holy” (vs 51).
May we learn from Moses’ example (and Israel’s) and stay faithful to God, treating Him as holy by respecting His commandments, fulfilling them and not adding to them.
Paul Holland
