Deuteronomy 31 explained: Moses Hands Over and Warns

Moses says goodbye (vv. 1-6)

At 120, Moses tells the people he will not cross the Jordan River with them, but God will go ahead and defeat the nations living in the land, as he did with Sihon and Og, two kings Israel had already beaten. This is the conquest of Canaan, a violent command many readers today find deeply troubling, and the text presents it without softening.

Joshua charged publicly (vv. 7-8)

Moses tells Joshua, in front of everyone, to be strong and brave because God will never leave him. Doing it publicly made it clear to the whole nation who their new leader was.

The law written and read (vv. 9-13)

Moses writes the law down and gives it to the priests and the tribal leaders. Every seventh year, the year debts were cancelled, it was to be read aloud to everyone, including children and foreigners, at the autumn Festival of Shelters, a harvest feast when people camped in huts to remember the desert journey.

God's warning at the tent (vv. 14-18)

At the tent of meeting, the portable worship tent, God appears in a pillar of cloud and confirms Joshua as leader. God also says that after Moses dies the people will turn to other gods, and that God will then "hide his face," meaning withdraw his favor and protection.

A song as a witness (vv. 19-23)

Moses is told to write a song (the one in the next chapter) and teach it so it stays in people's memories. When hard times come later, the song will remind them they were warned, a bit like a signed copy of an agreement.

The book beside the ark (vv. 24-30)

The finished book of the law is placed beside the ark, the sacred chest holding the stone tablets of the commandments, as a lasting record. Moses speaks bluntly about how often the people have rebelled already and expects worse after he is gone, then recites the song to them.

Key verse: Deuteronomy 31:6

Something to think about

If you were sure the people you were leaving behind would eventually go wrong, what would still make it worth preparing them as carefully as Moses does here?