Deuteronomy 31

Based on the context, these instructions refers to all of Deuteronomy (see 1:1).

Because Moses was about to die, his role as leader of the covenant would soon end. Joshua needed to be clearly and publicly presented as the next leader. He was to receive the same authority as Moses.

For a covenant document to remain binding and important, it had to be kept in a place where both sides could easily find it.

The book of Deuteronomy needed to be preserved for future generations. In this way, Israel would continue to remember to submit to the Lord’s rule.

• The LORD … will cross over ahead of you: God would lead the conquest. The divine warrior, the LORD God of Israel, would command and lead the conflict (see 1:30).

• From the early days of wandering in Sinai until now, Joshua served as the assistant of Moses (Exodus 17:8). God now chose him to be the leader of Israel after Moses (see Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:23–29; Numbers 27:15–23).

Sihon and Og: See study note on 2:24 and Numbers 21:21–35.

He will never leave you nor forsake you: These words encouraged Israel as they prepared to enter the promised land.

They also express a general truth about God’s care for his people. He remains faithful and does not leave them (see also Hebrews 13:5).

ark of the covenant of the LORD: This gold-plated wooden chest held the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. It was also God's throne, as he sat there invisibly among his people (see study note on 10:1).

To remind future generations in Israel of their covenant obligations, they read the covenant text in front of the people. This was necessary because personal copies of documents were rare.

• The year of remission of debt was the seventh year of the calendar, not the seventh year of a specific transaction between people. All debts were cancelled, and Hebrew bond servants were released from their creditors (see 15:1–3).

• Feast of Tabernacles: People celebrated this feast in the seventh month each year (Hebrew Tishri, September/October). It celebrated God's miraculous protection of Israel in the wilderness. It also celebrated the fall harvest (see 16:13–15).

Even foreigners living with the Israelites had to follow the covenant law. Even though they were in a weak and disadvantaged position, the Lord promised to care for them and meet their needs (see 10:18).

Tent of Meeting: At first, the Tent of Meeting was a temporary place where God met with his people, especially Moses. Later, the term came to mean the tabernacle itself (see Exodus 28:43; 33:7–11; 40:2; Numbers 11:16, 24, 26; 12:4). See study note on Leviticus 1:1.

Since God is Spirit, people cannot see him unless he chooses to show his glory physically. The pillar of cloud was one such display, sometimes called a theophany (see study note on 1:33). When the pillar appeared, those who saw it recognized God's presence (see Exodus 33:9; Numbers 12:5).

I will surely hide my face: The invisible God used this expression to show the broken relationship between himself and his people (see study note on 8:2). He turned away to show his rejection and disapproval.

In the future, when the community sings this song, it will remind them of God's past faithfulness and their frequent disloyalty (32:1–43). The song includes major blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The people of Israel will sing it to show they accept these promises and warnings. Through music, they will remember God's blessings for obedience and call for God's judgment if they are unfaithful.

• land flowing with milk and honey: See study note on 6:3.

• eat their fill: Fatness suggested blessing and prosperity, not obesity or self-indulgence.

• reject me: Israel would ignore God and dishonor him by wrongly thinking their prosperity came from their own efforts or the false gods of the land.

Moses wrote down this song: This statement supports the traditional view that Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy (see Deuteronomy Book Introduction, “Authorship”).

I will be with you: God spoke these same words to Moses at the burning bush when he called him to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:12).

Now God spoke the same promise to Joshua. The same God who was with Moses would also be with Joshua, and he could bring about the same kind of success.

• beside the ark: Unlike the stone tablets, they must place the scroll of Deuteronomy near the ark of the covenant, not inside it. It was kept in the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle and later in the temple (see 31:9; Exodus 25:16; 26:33).

• a witness: Like the song the Israelites were required to sing, the scroll of Deuteronomy served as a constant reminder of Israel's covenant obligations and privileges (see Deuteronomy 31:19; see 31:10, 19).

In ancient times, vows from both parties secured a treaty between individuals or nations. Israel's promise was in a song of witness that Moses composed under divine inspiration (31:19–22).

Israel probably sang the song during a regular covenant-renewal ceremony (31:21). They invoked upon themselves the covenant's judgments and reminded themselves of its promises.