Deuteronomy 31
OGCSUMMARY OF CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Moses, being one hundred and twenty years old and about to die, calls the people together, and exhorts them to courage and obedience, 1-6. Delivers a charge to Joshua, 7, 8. Delivers the law which he had written to the priests, with a solemn charge that they should read it every seventh year, publicly to all the people, 9-13. The Lord calls Moses and Joshua to the tabernacle, 14. He appears to them, informs Moses of his approaching death, and delivers to him a prophetical and historical song, or poem, which he is to leave with Israel, for their instruction and reproof, 15-21. Moses writes the song the same day, and teaches it to the Israelites, 22; gives Joshua a charge, 23; finishes writing the book of the law, 24. Commands the Levites to lay it up in the side of the ark, 25, 26. Predicts their rebellions, 27. Orders the elders to be gathered together, and shows them what evils would befall the people in the latter days, 28, 29. and repeats the song to them, 30.
QUESTIONS, LESSON TWENTY-THREE (Deuteronomy 31:1 to Deuteronomy 32:47)
OVER CHAPTER 31
How old is Moses now?
Who is appointed as his successor, and who appoints him?
List at least three factors (or incidents) in this man’s life that show he possessed the qualities needed as Israel’s leader.
Show that he was a spiritual man, as well as one with good military leadership. (Overlaps with 3.)
Do you remember the words of encouragement Moses gave to Israel (also found in the book of Hebrews)?
To whom was the law delivered?
How often was it to be read before all Israel How often was it actually read?
The tent of meeting is-’ a name for _______, and also for _____________.
What is said about Israel’s imagination? What could and should have been said about it?
Where was the book of the law kept?
OVER CHAPTER 32
What material object, more than any other, is the central figure for God in this chapter?
What traits does it bring to mind?
Do you recall any phrases that show how much God cared for Israel in the wilderness?
Explain: honey out of the rock. oil out of the flinty rock (Deuteronomy 32:13).
How would Israel’s new found prosperity effect them?
Who or what is Jeshurun?
Distinguish between Rock and rock in this chapter.
Who are those that are not a people (Deuteronomy 32:21)?
God’s fire would be kindled because of Israel’s wickedness. How extensively would it destroy?
What (in this chapter) restrained God from completely obliterating Israel from the face of the earth?
Would Israel ever be vindicated and restored?
Whose help did (does) God not need to deliver Israel?
Why should Israel set their hearts to these words?
Deuteronomy 31:1-8
LESSON TWENTY-THREE Deuteronomy 31:1 to Deuteronomy 32:47
IV. MOSES-’ LAST DAYS
Deuteronomy 31:1 to Deuteronomy 34:12
A. CHARGE TO JOSHUA (Deuteronomy 31:1-23)
JOSHUA PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE (Deuteronomy 31:1-8)
And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. 2 And he said unto them, I am a hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: and Jehovah hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. 3 Jehovah thy God, he will go over before thee; he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt dispossess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as Jehovah hath spoken. 4 And Jehovah will do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and unto their land; whom he destroyed. 5 And Jehovah will deliver them up before you, and ye shall do unto them according unto all the commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them: for Jehovah thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of good courage: for thou shalt go with this people into the land which Jehovah hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. 8 And Jehovah, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:1-8
Moses cannot go over Jordan to possess the land, but someone can and will. Who was it? (We are not thinking of Joshua.)
For what reason should Israel and Joshua be strong and of good courage?
Beyond the bare word of Moses, how would Israel know Jehovah was with them?
What one quality has Moses exemplified for our emulation?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:1-8
And Moses went on speaking these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, I Amos 120 years old this day; I can no more go out and come in; and the Lord has said to me, You shall not go over this Jordan. 3 The Lord your God will Himself go over before you, and He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them; and Joshua shall go over before you, as the Lord has said. 4 And the Lord will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. 5 And the Lord will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong, courageous and firm, fear not, nor be in terror before them; for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. 7 And Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong, courageous and firm; for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to possess it. 8 It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go, or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit] (depressed, dismayed and unnerved with alarm).
COMMENT 31:1-8
One cannot help but be struck with the solemnity of these words, and those to follow. They remind us of Paul’s touching farewell to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:18 ff.) Both these esteemed and beloved servants realized the seriousness of their position and that of the persons they were addressing. Thus the urgent, sincere, solemn heart-to-heart appeal. The application Mackintosh makes is good: All who really enter into the situation and destiny of the people of God in a world like this must be serious, The true sense of things, the apprehension of them in the divine presence, must, of necessity, impart a holy gravity to the character, and a special pungency and power to the testimony.
I AM A HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS OLD THIS DAY (Deuteronomy 31:2)Not that the very day of this announcement was necessarily his birthday. This day usually means now, at this time in Deuteronomy, as we just saw in Deuteronomy 30:15; Deuteronomy 30:18-19.
THOU SHALT NOT GO OVER (Deuteronomy 31:2)See Deuteronomy 1:37-38, note, and Deuteronomy 32:51-52.
JOSHUA, HE SHALL GO BEFORE THEE (Deuteronomy 31:3)This man was no newcomer to the role of a leader in Israel. Forty years before, as military leader and captain of Israel’s hosts, he had defeated Amelek (Exodus 17:8-14). As Moses-’ minister and attendant he accompanied him unto Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:13; Exodus 32:17). He also accompanied Moses during those times in which God spoke to him face to face, apparently acting as his special minister in the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:11) before the tabernacle was erected. He and Caleb were the only ones among the twelve spies sent into Canaan who brought back an encouraging report (Numbers 14:6-10, Deuteronomy 1:35-38), and as a result were the only Israelites among those numbered who were not recipients of God’s curse (Numbers 14:28-34; Numbers 26:65). Thus he was a man in whom is the Spirit. He and Eleazer the priest were instructed to oversee the proper division of the land, Numbers 34:17, and he had just finished leading Israel in victorious battles on the east-side, Deuteronomy 3:21.
Concerning the present charge, see also Numbers 27:15-23. His further history is found in the book bearing his name, and one cannot but stand in awe and admiration of this war horse for God, whose farewell to Israel was, … choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah (Joshua 24:15). And to the credit of this man’s character, the sacred historian could write as his epitaph, And Israel served Jehovah all the days of Joshua. (Joshua 24:31).
Joshua is now about 78, as he died 32 years later at age 110 (Joshua 24:29).
AS HE DID TO SIHON AND OG (Deuteronomy 31:4)Recorded in Deuteronomy 2:26 to Deuteronomy 3:11.
BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, etc. (Deuteronomy 31:6)A verse that provides encouragement and challenge to every soul in the Lord’s armed forces. Here (as in Deuteronomy 1:29-30, etc.) all Israel is being addressed. But such words of encouragement are elsewhere given to Joshua aloneDeu 31:7; Deuteronomy 31:23, Deuteronomy 3:21-22, Joshua 1:5-9. His was a very grave and sobering responsibilityespecially that of exterminating the Canaanite tribes and settling Israel in their divinely given land. The sequel in the book of Joshua reveals that the leadership of Israel was in able hands.
HE IT IS THAT DOTH GO WITH THEE; HE WILL NOT FAIL THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5)What man who is truly fighting the Lord’s battles is not heartened and emboldened with these words? Because of God’s nearness and presence, we need not fear his (our) enemies. And the Hebrew writers rightly used the same principle to teach us we ought to be free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have (See Hebrews 13:5). Who is not helped and spurred on in the Lord’s service by the assurance that Christ himself is near, with his strength (Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20, Acts 18:9-10).
Deuteronomy 31:9-13
- LAW DELIVERED TO THE PRIESTS; COMMANDED To BE READ BEFORE ALL ISREAL EVERY
SEVEN YEARS (Deuteronomy 31:9-13)
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and unto all the elders of Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11 when all Israel is come to appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and thy sojourner that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Jehovah your God, and observe to do all the words of this law; 13 and that their children, who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear Jehovah your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over the Jordan to possess it.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:9-13
This is the first reference to Moses as the one who wrote this book, Read Numbers 33:2; Exodus 24:4 for comparative references.
The priests had a two-fold responsibility to the law of Jehovah; they were not only to protect it, but to.
How often was this command of Moses fulfilled?
There is strong prophetic reference in this passage. To what future place is reference made?
For what purpose is the law of Jehovah to be read?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:9-13
9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, At the end of every seven years, at the set time of the year of release [of debtors from their debts], at the feast of booths,
11 When all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses [for His sanctuary], you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, men, women, and children, and the stranger and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn (reverently) to fear the Lord your God, and be watchful to do all the words of this law, 13 And that their children, who have not known it, may hear, and learn (reverently) to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live in the land which you go over Jordan to possess.
COMMENT 31:9-13
AND MOSES WROTE THIS LAW (Deuteronomy 31:9)The first time Moses-’ writing is mentioned in this book. See also Deuteronomy 31:22; Deuteronomy 31:24. But Moses had written much before this time (Exodus 24:4, Numbers 33:2, etc.) See the Introduction, III, (The Writer), and the special works by Rotherham and McGarvey included in this volume.
AND DELIVERED IT UNTO THE PRIESTS. AND UNTO ALL THE ELDERS (Deuteronomy 31:9)A formal presentation, committing the keeping of the law into their hands. It was put by the side of the ark (Deuteronomy 31:25), inside of which the tables of stone were kept. See Deuteronomy 10:1-5, Hebrews 9:1-5.
AT THE END OF EVERY SEVEN YEARS (Deuteronomy 31:10)See Deuteronomy 15:1-2; Deuteronomy 15:9. The law which had been written was to be read to the people at the end of every seven years, during the festival of the year of release, that is, at the Feast of Tabernacles, Leviticus 23:34, Deuteronomy 16:13-16.
Adam Clarke comments: It is strange that this commandment, relative to a public reading of the law every seven years, should have been rarely attended to. It does not appear that from the time mentioned, Joshua 8:30, at which time this public reading took place, till the reign of Jehosphaphat, 2 Chronicles 17:7 [See also Deuteronomy 31:9] there was any public seventh year readinga period of 530 years. The next seventh year reading was not till the eighteenth year of the regin of Joshiah, 2 Chronicles 34:30, a space of two hundred and eighty-two years. Nor do we find any other publicly mentioned from this time till the return from the Babylonish captivity, Neh. viii. 2. Nor is there any other record from that time to the destruction of Jerusalem.
The law was delivered to the priests and elders not merely for safe-keeping. It was to be read and enforced (Deuteronomy 31:12-13). During the centuries of the Dark Ages the Roman Church kept the Bible safelysafely locked to the walls and pulpits of monastaries and cathedrals! Throughout Europe the word of God was preserved in Greek, Hebrew and Latin. The latter language, understood only by the learned, was again used in the sacred services. Thus the ignorance of the common man was perpetuated; for Latin was not understood by the common man.
ASSEMBLE THE PEOPLE, etc. (Deuteronomy 31:12-13)Nehemiah, chapter 8, provides an illustration of this passage. The law was to be read so all Israel could hear. learn. fear. observe. Thus when Ezra read, he did so distinctly; and gave the sense, so that they understood the reading (Nehemiah 8:8), God wants his message communicated to his people! Reading, with understanding, is good; a mere rattling of words, a matter of mechanics, is not enough! Till I arrive, go ahead with the public reading, the preaching and the teaching (1 Timothy 4:13, Berkeley).
Deuteronomy 31:14-15
- JOSHUA COMMISSIONED (Deuteronomy 31:14-23)
a. GOD CONFERS WITH MOSES AND JOSHUA (Deuteronomy 31:14-15)
14 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourself in the tent of meeting, that I may give him a charge, And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. 15 And Jehovah appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud: and the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the Tent.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:14, 15
What tent is the tent of meeting? Cf. Exodus 40:7, Numbers 11:16; Numbers 12:4.
Do we have a tent of meeting today? i.e., a place where Jehovah has promised to meet us?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:14, 15
14 And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, your days are nearing when you must die. Call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may give him his charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. 15 And the Lord appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud; and the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the tent.
COMMENT 31:14, 15
The tent of meeting is not to be confused with the tabernacle. Compare Exodus 33:7-11, and note that Joshua is involved in that conference also. The tent of meeting (Heb. eth baahel) is there referred to before the Tabernacle (Heb. eth hammishcan) was erected (Exodus 40:17). Nor should it be confused with Moses-’ own abode. Moses went to it without the camp, and returned again. Rather, it was a simple place of revelation and of the meeting of the people with Jehovah. See also Numbers 11:16; Numbers 12:4.
Usually, the distinction between the two tents is quite apparent from the context. It should be noted, however, that both are referred to as the tent of meeting or the Tent: with reference to the tabernacle in such passages as Exodus 39:32-33; The field office of Moses in such scriptures as Exodus 33:7.
Many commentators hold, however, that the phrase tent of meeting consistently refers only to the tabernacle proper after that structure was erectedthat is, it superseeded or replaced it, and took on its predecessor’s name. It could be so in the present case; but normally none but the priests were privileged to enter the sanctuary, and Moses and Joshua presented themselves in the tent (Deuteronomy 31:14).
Deuteronomy 31:16-22
b. MOSES COMMANDED TO WRITE A SONG AS A WITNESS AGAINST ISRAEL (Deuteronomy 31:16-22)
16 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and play the harlot after the strange gods of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. 17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come upon them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us? 18 And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. 19 Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach thou it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. 20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxed fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant. 21 And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I sware, 22 So Moses write this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:16-22
Please remember that the constant reference to death as a sleep has no reference to the spirit of man, but only to his body. What comfort is there in the adding of our decayed body to those of our fathers?
God is concerned with the actions and thoughts of His people. Has He changed?
Advertising by song is not new. We can remember more what is sung and what we sing. Who knew this before Madison Avenue?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:16-22
16 And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers; and this people will rise up, and play the harlot after the strange gods of the land where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me, and break My covenant which I have made with them. 17 Then My anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us? 18 And I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done in turning to other gods. 19 And now write this song for you, and teach it to the Israelites; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the Israelites. 20 For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, that flows with milk and honey, and they have eaten and filled themselves, and become fat; then they will turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise and scorn Me, and break My covenant. 21 And when many evils and troubles have befallen them, this [sacred] song will confront them as a witness, for it will never be forgotten from the mouths of their descendants; for I know their strong desire and the purposes which they are forming even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore to give them.
22 Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the Israelites. [See Deuteronomy 32:1-43.]
COMMENT 31:16-22
The song of Moses follows in chapter 32. The essence of Deu 31:16-18 we have seen repeated again and again in Deuteronomy: The forsaking of God and his commandments will have devastating consequences.
THEY SHALL HAVE EATEN AND FILLED THEMSELVES, AND WAXED FAT. AND BREAK MY COVENANT (Deuteronomy 31:20)See Deuteronomy 6:10-12, Deuteronomy 8:7-20, Deuteronomy 11:10-16, etc.
THIS SONG SHALL TESTIFY BEFORE THEM AS A WITNESS (Deuteronomy 31:20)The word of God stands as our guide, lamp, and source of life. But if we depart from it, it can only act as a witness and judge against us. The same words condemn or justify, depending on the lives of those who receive them. In the present case, God, in his foreknowledge, knew (as we have seen so many times) that Israel would rebel and disobey: FOR I KNOW THEIR IMAGINATION WHICH THEY FRAME THIS DAY, BEFORE I HAVE BROUGHT THEM INTO THE LAND (Deuteronomy 31:21)As we have attempted to explain elsewhere, the fact that God knows in advance that a person or persons will commit sin does not compel the individual to commit it. In the present case, it should be observed that Israel was already notoriously rebellious against God and his lawand the Lord knew this rebellion would persist. They were already making plans for various wicked practices in which they could participate as soon as they crossed over the Jordan. And nearly the entire book of Judges chronicles the historical accuracy of this prediction.
The above phrase brings to the memory such passages as Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21. Baumgartner would define yetser (imagination) in all these passages as form, purposethat is, of the mind. What powers has the mind! Powers to conceive, imagine, visualize, conceptualize, arrange, design. But conceive or design what? That is the greatest question of the ages! And that is why all are in need of a renewed mind (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24). Then the mind can imagine and scheme for Christ and the advancement of his kingdom!
Deuteronomy 31:23
c. JOSHUA CHARGED AND ENCOURAGED (Deuteronomy 31:23)
23 And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:23
In face of the promises of defection, how could Joshua be strong and of good courage? There is a lesson in this for us. For which generation is each man responsible?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:23
23 And [the Lord] charged Joshua son of Nun, Be strong and courageous and firm; for you shall bring the Israelites into the land which I swore to give them; and I will be with you.
COMMENT 31:23
See also Deuteronomy 31:7-8, and God’s words to Moses-’ successor in Joshua 1:5-9. Surely the new leader needed this encouragement, for he had witnessed the ups and downs of Israel during the entire journey from Egypt. But what leader in the Lord’s work does not thrill to the encouragement given to Joshua? And what leader does not need such words of assurance? Surely part of Joshua’s success in the years that followed are attributable to the encouragement of his predecessor!
Deuteronomy 31:24-29
B. THE PRESERVATION OF THE BOOK (Deuteronomy 31:24-29)
24 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying, 26 Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. 27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against Jehovah; and how much more after my death? 28 Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:24-29
What is included in this law of Deu 31:24?
What is in the ark? Was there a receptacle along side of the ark?
Wouldn-’t the strong words of Deu 31:29 offend the elders? Discuss.
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:24-29
24 And when Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end, 25 He commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, 26 Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against you. 27 For I know your rebellion and stubbornness; behold, while I am yet alive with you, today you have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death! 28 Gather to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call Heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because you will do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.
COMMENT 31:24-29
It will be noticed that we have here
The words of the law finished (Deuteronomy 31:24)
The words of the law preserved (Deuteronomy 31:25-26)
The words of the law as a witness to Israel (Deuteronomy 31:27-29)
MOSES. MADE AN END OF WRITING THE WORDS OF THE LAW IN A BOOK (Deuteronomy 31:24)See also Deuteronomy 31:9. Whether this passage refers to more than Deuteronomy has been long debated. (Compare our discussion under Deuteronomy 27:3). But it is well to notice there is no limiting of the size of the book; nor are we told if other materials were included in it. The phrasing of Deu 31:24-25 would lead us to believe all of Deuteronomy, at least, was included in Moses-’ book. Very likely more is meant:
The -book-’ here spoken of would contain the whole of the Pentateuch up to this verse, and be -the book of Moses,-’ called generally by the Jews -the Law-’ (Cp. St. Matthew 22:40; Galatians 4:21). (F. C. Cook)
By comparing Deuteronomy 31:9 it appears two copies were made, J. F. B., commenting on Deuteronomy 31:9-13 as well as Deuteronomy 31:26, states.
It was usual in cases of public or private contract for two copies of the engagement to be madeone to be deposited in the national archives, or some secure place for reference, should occasion require; the other to remain in the hands of the contracting parties (Jeremiah 32:12-14). The same course was followed on this renewal of the covenant between God and Israel. Two written copies were prepared, the one of which was delivered to the public representatives of Israel, viz., the priests and the elders.. The second copy of the law. was deposited for greater security and reference in a little chest beside the ark of the covenant.
THE LEVITES THAT BARE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (Deuteronomy 31:25)As in Deuteronomy 31:9, the priests the sons of Levi, that bare the ark. According to Numbers 4:4ff. this was the job of the Kohathites, who, though of the priestly tribe, were not priests. It was they who carried the ark on their journey through the wilderness. But it was only the priests who could touch the ark, and the Kohathites carried the ark only after it was carefully wrapped and prepared by the priests. On special occasions, however, the priests themselves did carry the ark: Joshua 3:3; Joshua 4:9-10; Joshua 6:6; Joshua 6:12; Joshua 8:33, 1 Kings 8:3.
Deuteronomy 31:30
C. THE SONG OF MOSES (Deuteronomy 31:30 to Deuteronomy 32:47)
The song is difficult to outline, but the main contents may be grouped as follows:
INTRODUCTION Deuteronomy 31:30 to Deuteronomy 32:2
The greatness and faithfulness of God, in contrast with the faithlessness of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:3-18)
The chastisement and the need of its infliction by God (Deuteronomy 32:19-33).
God’s compassion upon his people in their low and humbled state (Deuteronomy 32:34-42).
30 And Moses spake in the ears of* all* the assembly ofIsrael the words of this song, until they were finished.
1 Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, My speech shall distil as the dew; As the small rain upon the tender grass, And as the showers upon the herb:
GIVE EAR YE HEAVENS. LET THE EARTH HEAR (Deuteronomy 31:1)another way of appealing to the witness of God. I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall utterly perish from off the land. (Deuteronomy 4:26). The whole universe is called to witness the procedure. Let all eyes and ears testify to the reading.
3
For I will proclaim the name of Jehovah;
Ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
4
The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice:
A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.
5
They have dealt corruptly with him, they are not his children, it is their blemish;
They are a perverse and crooked generation.
6
Do ye thus requite Jehovah,
O foolish people and unwise?
Is not he thy father that hath brought thee? He hath made thee, and established thee.
7
Remember the days of old,
Consider the years of many generations: Ask thy father, and he will show thee; Thine elders, and they will tell thee.
8
When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,
When he separated the children of men, He set the bounds of the peoples According to the number of the children of Israel.
9
For Jehovah’s portion is his people;
Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
10
He found him in a desert land,
And in the waste howling wilderness; He compassed him about, he cared for him,
He kept him as the apple of his eye.
11
As an eagle that stirreth up her nest,
That fluttereth over her young, He spread abroad his wings, he took them, He bare them on his pinions.
12
Jehovah alone did lead him,
And there was no foreign god with him.
13
He made him ride on the high places of the earth,
And he did eat the increase of the field; And he made him to suck honey out of the rock, And oil out of the flinty rock;
14
Butter of the herd, and milk of the flock,
With fat of lambs, And rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, With the finest of the wheat; And of the blood of the grape thou drankest wine.
15
But Jeshurun waxed far, and kicked:
Thou art waxed fat, thou art grown thick, thou art become sleek; Then he forsook God who made him, And lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16
They moved him to jealousy with strange gods;
With abominations provoked they him to anger.
17
They sacrificed unto demons, which were no God,
To gods that they knew not,
To new gods that came up of late,
Which your fathers dreaded not.
18
Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful,
And hast forgotten God that gave thee birth.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:30-32:18
Who is The Rock of Deu 31:4? Why use this name?
There are some very strong comparisons and contrasts between Jehovah and Israel. List three of them.
Israel has endearing names. List three of them.
There are several figurative descriptions of Israel that will describe the Israel of God today. Mention two.
Sin, Servitude, Sorrow, Salvation; this is the vicious circle of Israel’s history. How can this circle be broken?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:30-32:18
30 And Moses spoke in the hearing of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
CHAPTER 32
Give ear, O heavens, and I [Moses] will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. 2 My message shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the light rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the herb. 3 For I will proclaim the name [and presence] of the Lord. Concede and ascribe greatness to our God. 4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are law and justice, a God of faithfulness, without breach or deviation, just and right is He. 5 They [Israel] have spoiled themselves. They are not sons to Him, that is their blemish. A, perverse and crooked generation! 6 Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Is not He your father Who acquired you for His own? Who made and established you [as a nation]? 7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you. 8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the children of men, He set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the Israelites. 9 For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob [Israel] is the lot of His inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, in the howling void of the wilderness; He kept circling around him, He scanned him (penetratingly), He kept him as the pupil of His eye.
11 As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, He spread abroad His wings; He took them, He bore them on His pinions. [Luke 13:34.]
12 So the Lord alone led him; there was no foreign god with Him. 13 He made Israel ride on the high places of the earth, and he ate the increase of the field; and He made him to suck honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock; 14 Butter and curds of the herd and milk of the flock, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan and he-goats, with the finest of the wheat; and you drank wine of the blood of the grape. 15 But Jeshurun [Israel] grew fat and kicked. You became fat, you grew thick, you were gorged and sleek! Then he forsook God Who made him, and forsook and despised the Rock of his salvation. 16 They provoked Him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations they provoked Him to anger. 17 They sacrificed to demons, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods lately come up, whom your fathers never knew or feared.
18 Of the Rock that bore you you were unmindful; you forgot the God Who travailed in your birth.
COMMENT 31:30-32:18
THE ROCK (Deuteronomy 32:4)A central figure of God in the song (Deuteronomy 32:13; Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 32:18; Deuteronomy 32:30-31). And note in Deuteronomy 32:37-38 Israel is rebuked for placing their confidence not in the Rock but in the rock of their own makingan idol. God is the essence of immutable and impregnable strengthtraits this figure of speech depicts. Cf. Genesis 49:24, 1 Samuel 2:2, Psalms 18:2, Matthew 16:18, John 1:42, etc.
THY FATHER THAT BROUGHT THEE (Deuteronomy 31:6)Thus, they were a redeemed people (Exodus 6:6).HE HATH MADE THEE, AND ESTABLISHED THEE (Deuteronomy 31:6)As David could say
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit,
out of the miry clay;
And he set my feet upon a rock,
and established my goings.
JEHOVAH ALONE DID LEAD HIM, AND THERE WAS NO FOREIGN GOD WITH HIM (Deuteronomy 31:12)A verse that at once sets forth the strength and independence of God’s power. HE it was that led Israel, supplied Israel, preserved Israel, protected IsraelHE and no other! It was not a multitude of heathen gods that did it, it was THE ALMIGHTY God! And he depends upon no other source of power. Note Deuteronomy 8:3 and notes, Deuteronomy 4:35-39. Yet there was ever the tendency to attribute God’s power to heathen dieties: These are thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 32:4, 1 Kings 12:28-29). And throughout much of Israel’s history Jehovah-worship and idolatry were mixed together in a confusing and contradictory hodge-podge! Note, for example, the story of Micah and his house of idols (Judges, Ch. 17). It was not a matter of totally leaving Godor totally leaving Jehovah-worship. Rather, They feared Jehovah, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away (2 Kings 17:33). It should hardly need saying that such luke-warm dedication to God and his word is a stench in the nostrils of the Almighty.
AND HE MADE HIM TO SUCK HONEY OUT OF THE ROCK (Deuteronomy 31:13)This phrase, along with Deuteronomy 31:14, has a parallel in Psalms 81:16, He would feed them also with the finest of the wheat; And with the honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee. Rocks or ledges, of course, are places for bees to construct their honeycombs and deposit honeyespecially under them, or in the crevices between them. And it was this metaphor of prosperity and God’s goodness that led the song writer F. A. Graves to pen the words of his well-known hymn:
Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious? Do you walk in the way that’s new? Have you drunk from the living fountain? There’s Honey in the Rock for you.
Oh, there’s Honey in the Rock, my brother,. There’s Honey in the Rock for you. Leave your sins for the blood to cover, There’s Honey in the Rock for you.
OIL OUT OF THE FLINTY ROCK (Deuteronomy 31:13).That is, olive oil would be plentiful in this new land, and olive trees, because of God’s blessing, would grow even in the most obstinate soil. It would be a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey (Deuteronomy 8:8). Olive oil was (and is) used widely for food in the near east.
BUT JESHURUN WAXED FAT AND KICKED (Deuteronomy 31:15)Jeshurun is a symbolical or poetical name of endearment for Israel. Gesenius says it is a tender and loving appellation of the people of Israel. At the same time, he believes there is an allusion to the idea of rectitude or uprightness. He mentions the possibility of it being a diminutive form of Israel and meaning something like the righteous little people. Whatever its precise meaning, it is always used in place of Israel. It occurs only here, Deuteronomy 33:5; Deuteronomy 33:26, and Isaiah 44:2.
THEN HE FORSOOK GOD (Deuteronomy 31:15)i.e., the prosperity of Israel (though given by God) became their undoing. Cf. the warning of Deu 8:11 ff.
19
And Jehovah saw it, and abhorred them,
Because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters.
20
And he said, I will hide my face from them,
I will see what their end shall be: For they are a very perverse generation,
Children in whom is no faithfulness.
21
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God;
They have provoked me to anger with their vanities: And I will move them to jealousy with those that are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
22
For a fire is kindled in mine anger,
And burneth unto the lowest Sheol, And devoureth the earth with its increase, And setteth on fire the foundations of the mountains.
23
I will heap evils upon them;
I will spend mine arrows upon them:
24
They shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat And bitter destruction;
And the teeth of beasts will I send upon them, With the poison of crawling things of the dust.
25
Without shall the sword bereave,
And in the chambers terror;
It shall destroy both young man and virgin,
The suckling with the man of gray hairs.
26
I said, I would scatter them afar,
I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men;
27
Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy,
Lest their adversaries should judge amiss, Lest they should say, Our hand is exalted, And Jehovah hath not done all this.
28
For they are a nation void of counsel,
And there is no understanding in them.
29
Oh that they were wise, that they understood this,
That they would consider their latter end!
30
How should one chase a thousand
And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And Jehovah had delivered them up?
31
For their rock is not as our Rock,
Even our enemies themselves being judges.
32
For their vine is of the vine of Sodom,
And of the fields of Gomorrah: Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter:
33
Their wine is the poison of serpents,
And the cruel venom of asps.