Deuteronomy 31

1 abiit itaque Moses et locutus est omnia verba haec ad universum Israhel

2 et dixit ad eos centum viginti annorum sum hodie non possum ultra egredi et ingredi praesertim cum et Dominus dixerit mihi non transibis Iordanem istum

3 Dominus ergo Deus tuus transibit ante te ipse delebit omnes gentes has in conspectu tuo et possidebis eas et Iosue iste transibit ante te sicut locutus est Dominus

4 facietque Dominus eis sicut fecit Seon et Og regibus Amorreorum et terrae eorum delebitque eos

5 cum ergo et hos tradiderit vobis similiter facietis eis sicut praecepi vobis

6 viriliter agite et confortamini nolite timere nec paveatis a conspectu eorum quia Dominus Deus tuus ipse est ductor tuus et non dimittet nec derelinquet te

7 vocavitque Moses Iosue et dixit ei coram omni Israhel confortare et esto robustus tu enim introduces populum istum in terram quam daturum se patribus eorum iuravit Dominus et tu eam sorte divides

8 et Dominus qui ductor vester est ipse erit tecum non dimittet nec derelinquet te noli timere nec paveas

9 scripsit itaque Moses legem hanc et tradidit eam sacerdotibus filiis Levi qui portabant arcam foederis Domini et cunctis senioribus Israhelis

10 praecepitque eis dicens post septem annos anno remissionis in sollemnitate tabernaculorum

11 convenientibus cunctis ex Israhel ut appareant in conspectu Domini Dei tui in loco quem elegerit Dominus leges verba legis huius coram omni Israhel audientibus eis

12 et in unum omni populo congregato tam viris quam mulieribus parvulis et advenis qui sunt intra portas tuas ut audientes discant et timeant Dominum Deum vestrum et custodiant impleantque omnes sermones legis huius

13 filii quoque eorum qui nunc ignorant audire possint et timeant Dominum Deum suum cunctis diebus quibus versantur in terra ad quam vos Iordane transito pergitis obtinendam

14 et ait Dominus ad Mosen ecce prope sunt dies mortis tuae voca Iosue et state in tabernaculo testimonii ut praecipiam ei abierunt ergo Moses et Iosue et steterunt in tabernaculo testimonii

15 apparuitque Dominus ibi in columna nubis quae stetit in introitu tabernaculi

16 dixitque Dominus ad Mosen ecce tu dormies cum patribus tuis et populus iste consurgens fornicabitur post deos alienos in terra ad quam ingredietur et habitabit in ea ibi derelinquet me et irritum faciet foedus quod pepigi cum eo

17 et irascetur furor meus contra eum in die illo et derelinquam eum et abscondam faciem meam ab eo et erit in devorationem invenient eum omnia mala et adflictiones ita ut dicat in illo die vere quia non est Deus mecum invenerunt me haec mala

18 ego autem abscondam et celabo faciem meam in die illo propter omnia mala quae fecit quia secutus est deos alienos

19 nunc itaque scribite vobis canticum istud et docete filios Israhel ut memoriter teneant et ore decantent et sit mihi carmen istud pro testimonio inter filios Israhel

20 introducam enim eum in terram pro qua iuravi patribus eius lacte et melle manantem cumque comederint et saturati crassique fuerint avertentur ad deos alienos et servient eis et detrahent mihi et irritum facient pactum meum

21 postquam invenerint eum mala multa et adflictiones respondebit ei canticum istud pro testimonio quod nulla delebit oblivio ex ore seminis tui scio enim cogitationes eius quae facturus sit hodie antequam introducam eum in terram quam ei pollicitus sum

22 scripsit ergo Moses canticum et docuit filios Israhel

23 praecepitque Iosue filio Nun et ait confortare et esto robustus tu enim introduces filios Israhel in terram quam pollicitus sum et ego ero tecum

24 postquam ergo scripsit Moses verba legis huius in volumine atque conplevit

25 praecepit Levitis qui portabant arcam foederis Domini dicens

26 tollite librum istum et ponite eum in latere arcae foederis Domini Dei vestri ut sit ibi contra te in testimonio

27 ego enim scio contentionem tuam et cervicem tuam durissimam adhuc vivente me et ingrediente vobiscum semper contentiose egistis contra Dominum quanto magis cum mortuus fuero

28 congregate ad me omnes maiores natu per tribus vestras atque doctores et loquar audientibus eis sermones istos et invocabo contra eos caelum et terram

29 novi enim quod post mortem meam inique agetis et declinabitis cito de via quam praecepi vobis et occurrent vobis mala in extremo tempore quando feceritis malum in conspectu Domini ut inritetis eum per opera manuum vestrarum

30 locutus est ergo Moses audiente universo coetu Israhel verba carminis huius et ad finem usque conplevit

Deuteronomy 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

Moses encourages the people, and Joshua. (1-8) The law to be read every seventh year. (9-13) The Israelites' apostacy foretold, A song given to be witness against them. (14-22) The law delivered to the Levites. (22-30)

Verses 1-8 Moses assures Israel of the constant presence of God with them. This is applied by the apostle to all God's spiritual Israel, to encourage their faith and hope; unto us is this gospel preached, as well as unto them; he will never fail thee, nor forsake thee, ( Hebrews 13:5 ) . Moses commends Joshua to them for a leader; one whose wisdom, and courage, and affection they had long known; one whom God had appointed to be their leader; and therefore would own and bless. Joshua is well pleased to be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage. Those shall speed well, who have God with them; therefore they ought to be of good courage. Through God let us do valiantly, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we resist the devil, he will flee from us.

Verses 9-13 Though we read the word in private, we must not think it needless to hear it read in public. This solemn reading of the law must be done in the year of release. The year of release was typical of gospel grace, which is called the acceptable year of the Lord; for our pardon and liberty by Christ, engage us to keep his commandments. It must be read to all Israel, men, women, children, and to the strangers. It is the will of God that all people should acquaint themselves with his word. It is a rule to all, therefore should be read to all. Whoever has read of the pains taken by many persons to get scraps of the Scriptures, when a whole copy could not be obtained, or safely possessed, will see how thankful we should be for the thousands of copies amongst us. They will also understand the very different situation in which the Israelites were placed for many ages. But the heart of man is so careless, that all will be found too little, to keep up a knowledge of the truths, precepts, and worship of God.

Verses 14-22 Moses and Joshua attended the Divine Majesty at the door of the tabernacle. Moses is told again that he must shortly die; even those who are most ready and willing to die, need to be often reminded of its coming. The Lord tells Moses, that, after his death, the covenant he had taken so much pains to make between Israel and their God, would certainly be broken. Israel would forsake Him; then God would forsake Israel. Justly does he cast those off who so unjustly cast him off. Moses is directed to deliver them a song, which should remain a standing testimony for God, as faithful to them in giving them warning, and against them, as persons false to themselves in not taking the warning. The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of men's hearts, and meets them by reproofs and correction. Ministers who preach the word, know not the imaginations of men; but God, whose word it is, knows perfectly.

Verses 23-30 The solemn delivery of the book of the law to the Levites, to be deposited in, or rather by the side, of the ark, is again related. The song which follows in the next chapter is delivered to Moses, and by him to the people. He wrote it first, as the Holy Spirit taught him; and then spake it in the hearing of all the people. Moses tells them plainly, I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves. Many a sad thought, no doubt, it occasioned to this good man; but his comfort was, that he had done his duty, and that God would be glorified in their dispersion, if not in their settlement, for the foundation of God stands sure.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 31

Moses being old, and knowing he should quickly die, and must not go over Jordan with the people of Israel, acquaints them with it, and encourages them and Joshua to go over notwithstanding, and not be afraid of their enemies, since the Lord would go with them, and deliver them into their hands, De 31:1-8; and having written the law, he delivered it to the priests, and ordered that it should be read at the end of every seven years before all the people, that they and theirs might learn it, and fear the Lord, De 31:9-13; and whereas the death of Moses was very near, and the Lord foreseeing the people would quickly fall into idolatry, which would bring great calamities upon them, he directed Moses to write a song, which should be a witness for him, and against them, in ages to come; which Moses accordingly did, De 31:14-22; and Moses having given a charge to Joshua, and finished the writing of the law in a book, gave it to the Levites to put it in the side of the ark, De 31:23-27; and then ordered the chief of the tribes to be gathered together, that he might deliver the song, which by the direction and under the inspiration of God he had written, De 31:28-30; which song is recorded in De 32:1-43.