Although Israel will ultimately fail in their invasion of Canaan, the second Israel will never fail in His invasion of the world. Although the ancient people of God were corrupted by idolatry, the people of God today cannot ultimately fall in the same way. Jesus Christ is victor. “And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel . . .” (Dt. 31:1-30).
The book of Deuteronomy is coming to a close, and the time has come for Moses to die. God promises them that they will enjoy great victory as they cross over into the land (vv. 1-6). God will go before them, but in His kindness He will not leave them without human leadership (vv. 7-8). Moses wrote down the law, and commanded that it be read to Israel every seven years (vv. 9-13). Joshua is summoned and God sets him apart as the replacement of Moses (vv. 14-15, 23). God then predicts that the people will in fact turn away after Moses’ death (vv. 16-18). Moses then writes his song, and teaches it to Israel (vv. 19-23). After this, Moses delivers the law as an additional testimony against them (vv. 24-30).
But first there is initial victory. Moses was one hundred and twenty-years old (vv. 1-2), and could no longer lead the people. God will lead them over Jordan, and Joshua will lead them also (v. 3). The Canaanites will perish like Og and Sihon (v. 4). God will give them victory so that they might obey in that victory (v. 5). And therefore Israel is summoned to strength and courage (v. 6).
Moses calls Joshua, and encourages him (v. 7). God will go with Joshua, and will not forsake him (v. 8). There is no reason for discouragement or dismay. They have been given the liberty of covenant law. Moses wrote down the law, and delivered it to the priests (v. 9). Moses then commanded the reading of the law every seven years (v. 10), in the year of release. The law was to be read in the hearing of all—men, women and children, and aliens (vv. 11-12). The law was to be read particularly for the children (v. 13). They would hear it read once (and perhaps twice) in their childhood.
We return to the commissioning of Joshua, the type of Jesus, the replacement of Moses. God warned Moses that he was to die soon (v. 14). God had both men stand before the congregation so that Joshua could be charged. The Lord then appeared in the pillar of cloud at the door of the tabernacle (v. 15).
The subject then turns to the coming apostasy. Joshua is to be encouraged, but not because the people will be permanently faithful. The people will break the covenant (v. 16). God will forsake them in anger and they will realize the cause of their desolation (v. 17). And God will hide His face from them because of their idolatry (v. 18).
We then have a testimony to the power of liturgy. God tells Moses to write and teach a song as a testimony (v. 19). They will grow fat and turn away (v. 20). In their tribulation, the song will witness against them (v. 21). The root of their apostasy was present even before they entered the land (v. 21). And Moses wrote and taught the song (v. 22), and he delivered a solemn charge to Joshua (v. 23).
So Moses finally finished writing (v. 24). He then commanded the Levites to put it in the side of the ark as a witness against them (vv. 25-26). They have been rebellious; they will be rebellious (v. 27). He then summons all the elders and officers so that he might warn them (v. 28). For he knows they will fall (v. 29). And then Moses spoke the words of the song (v. 30).
The only way to be encouraged in this world is through faith. The law is your life—do you see the law of God (rightly, by grace) as the release from debt? Or the incurring of it? Be strong and courageous—the same exhortation applies to us today in the conquest of the world (Heb. 13:5).