This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Deuteronomy 31 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Deuteronomy 31 Moses is probably just a few days from death, and Joshua who has been hugely faithful (a picture of Christ in name and life) is about to lead them. The language in this chapter has changed and no longer sounds like a speech. It's back to narrative like in the earlier books.
In verse 2 Moses says he cannot go in or come out. Some people think Moses is old and frail, but later in chapter 34:7 he says his eye wasn’t dim and his vigor unabated. It just means God wouldn’t allow him to go on - he wasn’t limited by ability but by permission.
In verses 9-13 it outlines how the Israelites were to read the book of the law every seven years. God thus established a system where everyone would hear the words of the Lord regularly, and learn to obey. Bible reading is crucial for everyone. Earlier in Deuteronomy it said that “man would live by every word that came from the mouth of God.” We must not think of living in earthly terms like food and drink, but in terms of real living. The realities of God are much more real. We too must establish a system in our lives to constantly consider the words of the Lord.
In verses 14-15 there is a kind of handing over ceremony from Moses to Joshua. Both go into the tent of meeting with God. So now Joshua, just like Moses is standing in the visible presence of the Lord. While with God…. God prophecies what will happen and predicts that Israel will play the harlot. It's a sad view into the future. The problems begin when we are satisfied with what this world has, and we stop being hungry for the Lord. This isn’t an ancient problem, but a human problem.
Finally God gives Moses a song to teach Israel, which is covered in the next chapter. Strikingly in Psalm 90 we also have a psalm of Moses. Following that is Psalm 91, one of the most famous of all psalms, a prayer for protection, which although is anonymously written, sounds amazingly like Moses. Jewish tradition says it was written by Moses. Thus we have three songs in the scripture by Moses.
Jul 13, 2021 | Message by David Alley