Deuteronomy 31:27

27 For I have knowledge of your hard and uncontrolled hearts: even now, while I am still living, you will not be ruled by the Lord; how much less after my death?

Deuteronomy 31:27 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:27

For I know thy rebellion and thy stiff neck
How rebellious they were against the Lord and his laws, and how unwilling they were to admit the yoke of his commandments to be put upon them, and submit to it; this he had an experience of for forty years past:

behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been
rebellious against the Lord;
murmuring at his providences, ( Exodus 16:8 Exodus 16:12 ) ( 17:3 ) , speaking against his ministers, ( Exodus 16:2 ) ( Numbers 12:1 ) ( Numbers 14:2 ) ( Numbers 16:3 Numbers 16:41 ) ( 20:2 ) ; breaking his laws, particularly being guilty of idolatry, in making and worshipping the golden calf, ( Exodus 32:8 ) ; and even now, as in ( Deuteronomy 31:21 ) , were imagining, forming, and framing in their minds something of the same kind, from the time of their coming out of Egypt unto this time they were now on the borders of Canaan; this had all along been their character; see ( Deuteronomy 9:7 Deuteronomy 9:24 ) ;

and how much more after my death?
When he would be no more with them to instruct and advise them, to caution and reprove them, and to keep them in awe by his authority.

Deuteronomy 31:27 In-Context

25 Moses said to the Levites who were responsible for taking up the ark of the Lord's agreement,

26 Take this book of the law and put it by the ark of the Lord's agreement, so that it may be a witness against you.

27 For I have knowledge of your hard and uncontrolled hearts: even now, while I am still living, you will not be ruled by the Lord; how much less after my death?

28 Get together before me all those who are in authority in your tribes, and your overseers, so that I may say these things in their hearing, and make heaven and earth my witnesses against them.

29 For I am certain that after my death you will give yourselves up to sin, wandering from the way which I have given you; and evil will overtake you in the end, because you will do evil in the eyes of the Lord, moving him to wrath by the work of your hands.