Deuteronomy 31

De 31:1-8.

MOSES

ENCOURAGES THE

PEOPLE AND

JOSHUA.

1. Moses went and spake--It is probable that this rehearsal of the

law extended over several successive days; and it might be the last and

most important day on which the return of Moses to the place of

assembly is specially noticed. In drawing his discourse towards a

conclusion, he adverted to his advanced age; and although neither his

physical nor intellectual powers had suffered any decay

(De 34:7),

yet he knew, by a special revelation, that the time had arrived when he

was about to be withdrawn from the superintendence and government of

Israel.

2-8. also the Lord hath said--should be "for the Lord hath said"

thou shalt not go over this Jordan. While taking a solemn leave of the

people, Moses exhorted them not to be intimidated by the menacing

opposition of enemies; to take encouragement from the continued presence

of their covenanted God; and to rest assured that the same divine power,

which had enabled them to discomfit their first assailants on the east

of Jordan, would aid them not less effectually in the adventurous

enterprise which they were about to undertake, and by which they would

obtain possession of "the land which He had sworn unto their fathers to

give them."

De 31:9-13.

HE

DELIVERS THE

LAW TO THE

PRIESTS, TO

READ

IT

EVERY

SEVENTH

YEAR TO THE

PEOPLE.

9-13. And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests--The

law thus committed to writing was either the whole book of Deuteronomy,

or the important part of it contained between the twenty-seventh and

thirtieth chapters. It was usual in cases of public or private contract

for two copies of the engagement to be made--one to be deposited in the

national archives or some secure place for reference, should occasion

require. The other was to remain in the hands of the contracting parties

(Jer 32:12-14).

The same course was followed on this renewal of the covenant between

God and Israel. Two written copies of the law were prepared, the one of

which was delivered to the public representatives of Israel; namely,

the priests and the elders.

the priests, . . . who bare the ark of the covenant--In all ordinary

journeys, it was the common duty of the Levites to carry the ark and

its furniture

(Nu 4:15);

but, on solemn or extraordinary occasions, that office was discharged

(Jos 3:3-8; 6:6;

1Ch 15:11, 12).

all the elders of Israel--They were assistants to the priests and

overseers to take care of the preservation, rehearsal, and observance

of the law.

10, 11. At the end of every seven years, . . . thou shalt read this

law--At the return of the sabbatic year and during the feast of

tabernacles, the law was to be publicly read. This order of Moses was a

future and prospective arrangement; for the observance of the sabbatic

year did not commence till the conquest and peaceful occupation of

Canaan. The ordinance served several important purposes. For, while the

people had opportunities of being instructed in the law every Sabbath

and daily in their own homes, this public periodical rehearsal at

meetings in the courts of the sanctuary, where women and children of

twelve years were present (as they usually were at the great

festivals), was calculated to produce good and pious impressions of

divine truth amid the sacred associations of the time and place.

Besides, it formed a public guarantee for the preservation, integrity,

and faithful transmission of the Sacred Book to successive ages.

14, 15. the Lord said unto Moses, . . .call Joshua, and present

yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation--Joshua had been

publicly designated to the office of commander by Moses

[Nu 27:22, 23];

and God was pleased to confirm his appointment by the visible symbols

of His presence and approval. As none but the priests were privileged

to enter the sanctuary, it is probable that this significant

manifestation of the cloudy pillar was made while the leaders stood at

the door of the tabernacle.

16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, . . . this people will rise up--In

this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the

infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through

intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan

(Am 5:26),

and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections.

17. Then my anger shall be kindled, . . . and I will hide my face from

them--an announcement of the withdrawal of the divine favor and

protection of which the Shekinah was the symbol and pledge. It never

appeared in the second temple; and its non-appearance was a prelude of

"all the evils that came upon them, because their God was not among

them."

19. Now therefore write ye this song--National songs take deep hold

of the memories and have a powerful influence in stirring the deepest

feelings of a people. In accordance with this principle in human

nature, a song was ordered to be composed by Moses, doubtless under

divine inspiration, which was to be learnt by the Israelites themselves

and to be taught to their children in every age, embodying the

substance of the preceding addresses, and of a strain well suited to

inspire the popular mind with a strong sense of God's favor to their

nation.

26. Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark--The

second copy of the law

(see on

De 31:9)

was deposited for greater security and reverence in a little chest

beside the ark of the covenant, for there was nothing contained

within it but the tables of stone

(1Ki 8:9).

Others think it was put within the ark, it being certain, from

the testimony of Paul

(Heb 9:4),

that there were once other things inside the ark, and that this was the

copy found in the time of Josiah

(2Ki 22:8).