Chapter 31

1 Moses encourageth the people. 7 He encourageth Joshua. 9 He delivereth the law unto the priests to read it in the seventh year to the people. 14 God giveth a charge to Joshua, 19 and a song to testify against the people. 24 Moses delivereth the book of the law to the Levites to keep. 28 He maketh a protestation to the elders.

1. Moses went. Jewish commentators take these words to mean that Moses here concluded his exhortations to the people gathered before him. Then he went from tribe to tribe to give the news of his approaching death, and to exhort the people to uphold and support Joshua, his successor.

2. This day. He evidently knew that his work was almost finished. He died soon after this (ch. 34:7). When Moses stood before Pharaoh he was 80 years old (Ex. 7:7). Since then the 40 years of the desert wanderings had passed.

No more go. He appeared to be strong and vigorous (see Deut. 34:7; Joshua 14:11).

3. Before thee. Compare Deut. 9:3; Ex. 23:23. The ark and the presence of God would go before them (see Joshua 3:5, 11).

4. Sihon. See chs. 2:32 to 3:8; 29:7.

5. Give them up. See chs. 7:23; 9:3.

All the commandments. That is, the various injunctions that God had given for the destruction of the “groves,” idols, and altars of the heathen (see chs. 7:2-5, 25; 12:1–3).

6. Be strong. A call to the people to exercise faith.

Fear not. The same injunction had been given to their fathers (see chs. 1:21, 29; 3:2, 22; 7:17, 18, 21), but the older generation had been faithless (see ch. 1:28–32).

Go with thee. This promise had been given before (see ch. 20:4).

Not fail … thee. See the promise made to Joshua after the death of Moses (Joshua 1:5). The apostle Paul applies this experience to the Christian church (see Heb. 13:5).

Moses had lived a long and eventful life. He had served God and His people unselfishly and tirelessly. On earth he could never be greater than he was at that moment; yet God had more in store for him, in the heavenly Canaan. Compare the experience of Paul (2 Tim. 4:6–8).

7. Joshua. The new leader by God’s appointment (see Num. 27:18–21). Joshua means “the salvation of Jehovah.” He is first mentioned in Ex. 17:9. Like Moses, he had received an appropriate preparation for his work. He had been associated with Moses in the giving of the law, in battle, and in leadership. Like the 12 apostles selected by Christ, he was given special training in experience and association.

8. Will not fail. From the common verb, “to leave destitute” (see Gen. 24:27; Ps. 16:10).

9. This law. From torah, a term inclusive of all the revealed will of God. Nehemiah refers to Ex. 13:2, 12; 23:19, and speaks of what is “written in the law” (Neh. 10:35, 36). Josiah carried out the injunctions of Lev. 19:30; 20:6, 27, and said he was doing “the words of the law” (2 Kings 23:24). Hezekiah gave command to carry out the charges of Num. 28 and 29, “written in the law” (2 Chron. 31:3).

Bare the ark. See Deut. 10:8; Joshua 3:3, 6; 6:6; 1 Kings 8:3, 4.

10. Year of release. The word translated “release” is from a form of the verb shamat, “to throw down.” In Ex. 23:11 it is rendered “rest.” The reference here is to the sabbatical year, when the land was to “rest” and when there was release from debt (see Deut. 15:1–10). The “release” of a man who had sold himself into servitude came after six full years of service (see Deut. 15:12); for him, the “seventh year” did not necessarily coincide with the sabbatical year, the “year of release.” The reading year of the law came at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, which began on the 15th of Tishri. The sabbatical year evidently began, like the 50th year, the year of jubilee, in Tishri. The year of jubilee officially opened with the blowing of trumpets at the close of the Day of Atonement, on the 10th of Tishri (see Lev. 25:9).

11. Read this law. The law was also read on other occasions (see Joshua 8:34; 2 Kings 23:2; Neh. 8:1–3). A reverential reading of the Word of God is a stabilizing factor in any man’s life. It is a good thing to hear what the Lord says to His saints (see Ps. 85:8). The Levites were commanded to teach the Scriptures to the people (see Deut. 33:10; Lev. 10:11; Mal. 2:7).

12. Hear. The sequence is hear, learn, fear the Lord, observe the law (see chs. 4:10; 14:23; 17:19).

13. Their children. One of the outstanding privileges accorded the Jews was the committal to them of the Word of God (see Rom. 3:1, 2). The plan of redemption, the wonders of the future kingdom—all are recorded in His Word. It is folly for children to be allowed to grow up in ignorance of the Word. The Scriptures were written to be read and meditated upon. Their wisdom is to be the heritage of our children. To fail to give proper religious training to the young is to fail in a primary duty.

14. Present yourselves. Literally, “take your stand” (see Ex. 33:7).

A charge. Compare ch. 3:28, where Moses was commanded to charge Joshua. Joshua’s leadership was to entail great responsibilities.

Presented themselves. Literally, “took their stand.” Presumably they stood in the court facing the door of the tabernacle, over which the glory of God would appear.

15. The Lord appeared. On special occasions the pillar of cloud that rested upon the tabernacle (see Num. 9:15, 18) would move to the door of the tabernacle. Here, Jehovah’s glory shone through it (see Ex. 33:9, 10; 40:35).

16. Behold. Meaning, “pay attention.” What follows is most important.

Sleep. See the same expression for death in 2 Sam. 7:12; 1 Kings 2:10; 11:43.

This people. A sad picture of the future history of God’s people.

Whoring. See on Ex. 34:15. There were certain tendencies already manifest that indicated the future conduct of the nation (see Judges 2:7–17). The psalmist has recorded a sad chapter in Israel’s history (see Ps. 106:34–39). They were told not to fear the heathen gods (Judges 6:10), and knew well their duty to the true God (Ex. 20:3).

Break my covenant. By the worship of other gods (see Ex. 20:22, 23; 23:32, 33; Deut. 5:3, 4; 6:3, 4). In entering into the covenant relationship they had agreed to recognize the Lord as God, and to love and serve Him only.

17. My anger. So in Judges 2:14 at their first apostasy after crossing the Jordan.

Hide my face. This means a withdrawal of God’s protecting hand (see Deut. 32:20; Isa. 8:17; 64:7; Eze. 7:22; 39:23).

God is not among us. See Jer. 14:9; Micah 3:11; cf. Isa. 12:6; Zeph. 3:15, 17.

19. This song. See 32:1. The Israelites would learn to sing the song, and thereby hand it down from generation to generation. It would thus ever remain vivid in their memories, and bind them to the lofty principles for which Moses stood.

21. Imagination. The word here translated “imagination” is from a verb root meaning “to devise in one’s mind,” “to devise,” “to establish,” “to form.” The derived noun form is used of an impulse of the mind, a device, a purpose. The plannings, inclinations, and designs already in the heart of many were open to God (see 1 Chron. 28:9; and Ps. 103:14, “frame”).

23. Good courage. The Lord repeated this to Joshua after the death of Moses (see Joshua 1:6, 7, 9; cf. 10:25).

25. The Levites. See 1 Kings 8:3. It was their assigned privilege and duty to approach the ark when commanded to do so.

26. In the side. See 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chron. 5:10; cf. Deut. 29:21; 30:10. Jewish commentators are divided in their views respecting these words. Some maintain the written scroll was placed inside the ark with the two tables of stone, others, that it was placed in a compartment formed at the right side of the ark by a projecting board. The definite statement that “there was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb” (2 Chron. 5:10) confirms the latter suggestion. The RSV reads, “by the side of the ark” (Deut. 31:26). The principles inscribed upon the two tables of stone were of such a nature as to place them in a class by themselves. The Decalogue was supreme; the “book” containing “the words of this law” (Deut. 31:24) was an amplification and application of its principles to the economy of Israel.

27. Stiff neck. The word translated “stiff” also has the meaning of “hard,” “serve,” “difficult,” “stubborn” (see Jer. 7:26; 17:23; 19:15). The people were set in their ways, and it was difficult if not impossible for them to change.

28. To record. See chs. 4:26; 30:19; 32:1.

29. Latter days. This same expression occurs for the first time in Gen. 49:1, where it is translated “last days” (see Num. 24:14; Deut. 4:30). This expression is used with considerable latitude in the OT. Generally it refers simply to the future.

30. Moses spake. Joshua was associated with him in this (see ch. 32:44). Moses, the great legislator, was about to lay down his burdens. A younger man, a soldier, was to take up the task of leading Israel in the conquest of Palestine. Jehovah had strengthened Moses; He would also go before Joshua.

Ellen G. White comments

6    PK 393

8     PK 576

9     PP 311; SR 171

10-13PP 503

12, 13  PK 465

23   PP 470

24   PP 312, 365; SR 149

26   SR 172