1 וַיֵּלֶךְH1980 מֹשֶׁהH4872 וַיְדַבֵּרH1696 אֶתH853 הַדְּבָרִיםH1697 הָאֵלֶּהH428 אֶלH413 כָּלH3605 יִשְׂרָאֵֽלH3478
2 וַיֹּאמֶרH559 אֲלֵהֶםH413 בֶּןH1121 מֵאָהH3967 וְעֶשְׂרִיםH6242 שָׁנָהH8141 אָנֹכִיH595 הַיּוֹםH3117 לֹאH3808 אוּכַלH3201 עוֹדH5750 לָצֵאתH3318 וְלָבוֹאH935 וַֽיהוָהH3068 אָמַרH559 אֵלַיH413 לֹאH3808 תַעֲבֹרH5674 אֶתH853 הַיַּרְדֵּןH3383 הַזֶּֽהH2088
3 יְהוָהH3068 אֱלֹהֶיךָH430 הוּאH1931 עֹבֵרH5674 לְפָנֶיךָH6440 הֽוּאH1931 יַשְׁמִידH8045 אֶתH853 הַגּוֹיִםH1471 הָאֵלֶּהH428 מִלְּפָנֶיךָH6440 וִֽירִשְׁתָּםH3423 יְהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 הוּאH1931 עֹבֵרH5674 לְפָנֶיךָH6440 כַּאֲשֶׁרH834 דִּבֶּרH1696 יְהוָֽהH3068
4 וְעָשָׂהH6213 יְהוָהH3068 לָהֶםH0 כַּאֲשֶׁרH834 עָשָׂהH6213 לְסִיחוֹןH5511 וּלְעוֹגH5747 מַלְכֵיH4428 הָאֱמֹרִיH567 וּלְאַרְצָםH776 אֲשֶׁרH834 הִשְׁמִידH8045 אֹתָֽםH853
5 וּנְתָנָםH5414 יְהוָהH3068 לִפְנֵיכֶםH6440 וַעֲשִׂיתֶםH6213 לָהֶםH0 כְּכָלH3605 הַמִּצְוָהH4687 אֲשֶׁרH834 צִוִּיתִיH6680 אֶתְכֶֽםH853
6 חִזְקוּH2388 וְאִמְצוּH553 אַלH408 תִּֽירְאוּH3372 וְאַלH408 תַּעַרְצוּH6206 מִפְּנֵיהֶםH6440 כִּיH3588 יְהוָהH3068 אֱלֹהֶיךָH430 הוּאH1931 הַהֹלֵךְH1980 עִמָּךְH5973 לֹאH3808 יַרְפְּךָH7503 וְלֹאH3808 יַעַזְבֶֽךָּH5800
7 וַיִּקְרָאH7121 מֹשֶׁהH4872 לִֽיהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 וַיֹּאמֶרH559 אֵלָיוH413 לְעֵינֵיH5869 כָלH3605 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 חֲזַקH2388 וֶאֱמָץH553 כִּיH3588 אַתָּהH859 תָּבוֹאH935 אֶתH854 הָעָםH5971 הַזֶּהH2088 אֶלH413 הָאָרֶץH776 אֲשֶׁרH834 נִשְׁבַּעH7650 יְהוָהH3068 לַאֲבֹתָםH1 לָתֵתH5414 לָהֶםH0 וְאַתָּהH859 תַּנְחִילֶנָּהH5157 אוֹתָֽםH853
8 וַֽיהוָהH3068 הוּאH1931 הַהֹלֵךְH1980 לְפָנֶיךָH6440 הוּאH1931 יִהְיֶהH1961 עִמָּךְH5973 לֹאH3808 יַרְפְּךָH7503 וְלֹאH3808 יַֽעַזְבֶךָּH5800 לֹאH3808 תִירָאH3372 וְלֹאH3808 תֵחָֽתH2865
9 וַיִּכְתֹּבH3789 מֹשֶׁהH4872 אֶתH853 הַתּוֹרָהH8451 הַזֹּאתH2063 וַֽיִּתְּנָהּH5414 אֶלH413 הַכֹּהֲנִיםH3548 בְּנֵיH1121 לֵוִיH3878 הַנֹּשְׂאִיםH5375 אֶתH853 אֲרוֹןH727 בְּרִיתH1285 יְהוָהH3068 וְאֶלH413 כָּלH3605 זִקְנֵיH2205 יִשְׂרָאֵֽלH3478
10 וַיְצַוH6680 מֹשֶׁהH4872 אוֹתָםH853 לֵאמֹרH559 מִקֵּץH7093 שֶׁבַעH7651 שָׁנִיםH8141 בְּמֹעֵדH4150 שְׁנַתH8141 הַשְּׁמִטָּהH8059 בְּחַגH2282 הַסֻּכּֽוֹתH5521
11 בְּבוֹאH935 כָלH3605 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 לֵרָאוֹתH7200 אֶתH853 פְּנֵיH6440 יְהוָהH3068 אֱלֹהֶיךָH430 בַּמָּקוֹםH4725 אֲשֶׁרH834 יִבְחָרH977 תִּקְרָאH7121 אֶתH853 הַתּוֹרָהH8451 הַזֹּאתH2063 נֶגֶדH5048 כָּלH3605 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 בְּאָזְנֵיהֶֽםH241
12 הַקְהֵלH6950 אֶתH853 הָעָםH5971 הָֽאֲנָשִׁיםH376 וְהַנָּשִׁיםH802 וְהַטַּףH2945 וְגֵרְךָH1616 אֲשֶׁרH834 בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָH8179 לְמַעַןH4616 יִשְׁמְעוּH8085 וּלְמַעַןH4616 יִלְמְדוּH3925 וְיָֽרְאוּH3372 אֶתH853 יְהוָהH3068 אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶםH430 וְשָׁמְרוּH8104 לַעֲשׂוֹתH6213 אֶתH853 כָּלH3605 דִּבְרֵיH1697 הַתּוֹרָהH8451 הַזֹּֽאתH2063
13 וּבְנֵיהֶםH1121 אֲשֶׁרH834 לֹֽאH3808 יָדְעוּH3045 יִשְׁמְעוּH8085 וְלָמְדוּH3925 לְיִרְאָהH3372 אֶתH853 יְהוָהH3068 אֱלֹהֵיכֶםH430 כָּלH3605 הַיָּמִיםH3117 אֲשֶׁרH834 אַתֶּםH859 חַיִּיםH2416 עַלH5921 הָאֲדָמָהH127 אֲשֶׁרH834 אַתֶּםH859 עֹבְרִיםH5674 אֶתH853 הַיַּרְדֵּןH3383 שָׁמָּהH8033 לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּH3423
14 וַיֹּאמֶרH559 יְהוָהH3068 אֶלH413 מֹשֶׁהH4872 הֵןH2005 קָרְבוּH7126 יָמֶיךָH3117 לָמוּתH4191 קְרָאH7121 אֶתH853 יְהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 וְהִֽתְיַצְּבוּH3320 בְּאֹהֶלH168 מוֹעֵדH4150 וַאֲצַוֶּנּוּH6680 וַיֵּלֶךְH1980 מֹשֶׁהH4872 וִֽיהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 וַיִּֽתְיַצְּבוּH3320 בְּאֹהֶלH168 מוֹעֵֽדH4150
15 וַיֵּרָאH7200 יְהוָהH3068 בָּאֹהֶלH168 בְּעַמּוּדH5982 עָנָןH6051 וַיַּעֲמֹדH5975 עַמּוּדH5982 הֶעָנָןH6051 עַלH5921 פֶּתַחH6607 הָאֹֽהֶלH168
16 וַיֹּאמֶרH559 יְהוָהH3068 אֶלH413 מֹשֶׁהH4872 הִנְּךָH2009 שֹׁכֵבH7901 עִםH5973 אֲבֹתֶיךָH1 וְקָםH6965 הָעָםH5971 הַזֶּהH2088 וְזָנָהH2181 אַחֲרֵיH310 אֱלֹהֵיH430 נֵֽכַרH5236 הָאָרֶץH776 אֲשֶׁרH834 הוּאH1931 בָאH935 שָׁמָּהH8033 בְּקִרְבּוֹH7130 וַעֲזָבַנִיH5800 וְהֵפֵרH6565 אֶתH853 בְּרִיתִיH1285 אֲשֶׁרH834 כָּרַתִּיH3772 אִתּֽוֹH854
17 וְחָרָהH2734 אַפִּיH639 בוֹH0 בַיּוֹםH3117 הַהוּאH1931 וַעֲזַבְתִּיםH5800 וְהִסְתַּרְתִּיH5641 פָנַיH6440 מֵהֶםH1992 וְהָיָהH1961 לֶֽאֱכֹלH398 וּמְצָאֻהוּH4672 רָעוֹתH7451 רַבּוֹתH7227 וְצָרוֹתH6869 וְאָמַרH559 בַּיּוֹםH3117 הַהוּאH1931 הֲלֹאH3808 עַלH5921 כִּֽיH3588 אֵיןH369 אֱלֹהַיH430 בְּקִרְבִּיH7130 מְצָאוּנִיH4672 הָרָעוֹתH7451 הָאֵֽלֶּהH428
18 וְאָנֹכִיH595 הַסְתֵּרH5640 אַסְתִּירH5641 פָּנַיH6440 בַּיּוֹםH3117 הַהוּאH1931 עַלH5921 כָּלH3605 הָרָעָהH7451 אֲשֶׁרH834 עָשָׂהH6213 כִּיH3588 פָנָהH6437 אֶלH413 אֱלֹהִיםH430 אֲחֵרִֽיםH312
19 וְעַתָּהH6258 כִּתְבוּH3789 לָכֶםH0 אֶתH853 הַשִּׁירָהH7892 הַזֹּאתH2063 וְלַמְּדָהּH3925 אֶתH853 בְּנֵיH1121 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 שִׂימָהּH7760 בְּפִיהֶםH6310 לְמַעַןH4616 תִּהְיֶהH1961 לִּיH0 הַשִּׁירָהH7892 הַזֹּאתH2063 לְעֵדH5707 בִּבְנֵיH1121 יִשְׂרָאֵֽלH3478
20 כִּֽיH3588 אֲבִיאֶנּוּH935 אֶֽלH413 הָאֲדָמָהH127 אֲשֶׁרH834 נִשְׁבַּעְתִּיH7650 לַאֲבֹתָיוH1 זָבַתH2100 חָלָבH2461 וּדְבַשׁH1706 וְאָכַלH398 וְשָׂבַעH7646 וְדָשֵׁןH1878 וּפָנָהH6437 אֶלH413 אֱלֹהִיםH430 אֲחֵרִיםH312 וַעֲבָדוּםH5647 וְנִאֲצוּנִיH5006 וְהֵפֵרH6565 אֶתH853 בְּרִיתִֽיH1285
21 וְהָיָהH1961 כִּֽיH3588 תִמְצֶאןָH4672 אֹתוֹH853 רָעוֹתH7451 רַבּוֹתH7227 וְצָרוֹתH6869 וְעָנְתָהH6030 הַשִּׁירָהH7892 הַזֹּאתH2063 לְפָנָיוH6440 לְעֵדH5707 כִּיH3588 לֹאH3808 תִשָּׁכַחH7911 מִפִּיH6310 זַרְעוֹH2233 כִּיH3588 יָדַעְתִּיH3045 אֶתH853 יִצְרוֹH3336 אֲשֶׁרH834 הוּאH1931 עֹשֶׂהH6213 הַיּוֹםH3117 בְּטֶרֶםH2962 אֲבִיאֶנּוּH935 אֶלH413 הָאָרֶץH776 אֲשֶׁרH834 נִשְׁבָּֽעְתִּיH7650
22 וַיִּכְתֹּבH3789 מֹשֶׁהH4872 אֶתH853 הַשִּׁירָהH7892 הַזֹּאתH2063 בַּיּוֹםH3117 הַהוּאH1931 וַֽיְלַמְּדָהּH3925 אֶתH853 בְּנֵיH1121 יִשְׂרָאֵֽלH3478
23 וַיְצַוH6680 אֶתH853 יְהוֹשֻׁעַH3091 בִּןH1121 נוּןH5126 וַיֹּאמֶרH559 חֲזַקH2388 וֶֽאֱמָץH553 כִּיH3588 אַתָּהH859 תָּבִיאH935 אֶתH853 בְּנֵיH1121 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 אֶלH413 הָאָרֶץH776 אֲשֶׁרH834 נִשְׁבַּעְתִּיH7650 לָהֶםH0 וְאָנֹכִיH595 אֶֽהְיֶהH1961 עִמָּֽךְH5973
24 וַיְהִיH1961 כְּכַלּוֹתH3615 מֹשֶׁהH4872 לִכְתֹּבH3789 אֶתH853 דִּבְרֵיH1697 הַתּוֹרָֽהH8451 הַזֹּאתH2063 עַלH5921 סֵפֶרH5612 עַדH5704 תֻּמָּֽםH8552
25 וַיְצַוH6680 מֹשֶׁהH4872 אֶתH853 הַלְוִיִּםH3881 נֹֽשְׂאֵיH5375 אֲרוֹןH727 בְּרִיתH1285 יְהוָהH3068 לֵאמֹֽרH559
26 לָקֹחַH3947 אֵתH853 סֵפֶרH5612 הַתּוֹרָהH8451 הַזֶּהH2088 וְשַׂמְתֶּםH7760 אֹתוֹH853 מִצַּדH6654 אֲרוֹןH727 בְּרִיתH1285 יְהוָהH3068 אֱלֹהֵיכֶםH430 וְהָֽיָהH1961 שָׁםH8033 בְּךָH0 לְעֵֽדH5707
27 כִּיH3588 אָנֹכִיH595 יָדַעְתִּיH3045 אֶֽתH853 מֶרְיְךָH4805 וְאֶֽתH853 עָרְפְּךָH6203 הַקָּשֶׁהH7186 הֵןH2005 בְּעוֹדֶנִּיH5750 חַיH2416 עִמָּכֶםH5973 הַיּוֹםH3117 מַמְרִיםH4784 הֱיִתֶםH1961 עִםH5973 יְהֹוָהH3068 וְאַףH637 כִּיH3588 אַחֲרֵיH310 מוֹתִֽיH4194
28 הַקְהִילוּH6950 אֵלַיH413 אֶתH853 כָּלH3605 זִקְנֵיH2205 שִׁבְטֵיכֶםH7626 וְשֹׁטְרֵיכֶםH7860 וַאֲדַבְּרָהH1696 בְאָזְנֵיהֶםH241 אֵתH853 הַדְּבָרִיםH1697 הָאֵלֶּהH428 וְאָעִידָהH5749 בָּםH0 אֶתH853 הַשָּׁמַיִםH8064 וְאֶתH853 הָאָֽרֶץH776
29 כִּיH3588 יָדַעְתִּיH3045 אַחֲרֵיH310 מוֹתִיH4194 כִּֽיH3588 הַשְׁחֵתH7843 תַּשְׁחִתוּןH7843 וְסַרְתֶּםH5493 מִןH4480 הַדֶּרֶךְH1870 אֲשֶׁרH834 צִוִּיתִיH6680 אֶתְכֶםH853 וְקָרָאתH7122 אֶתְכֶםH853 הָֽרָעָהH7451 בְּאַחֲרִיתH319 הַיָּמִיםH3117 כִּֽיH3588 תַעֲשׂוּH6213 אֶתH853 הָרַעH7451 בְּעֵינֵיH5869 יְהוָהH3068 לְהַכְעִיסוֹH3707 בְּמַעֲשֵׂהH4639 יְדֵיכֶֽםH3027
30 וַיְדַבֵּרH1696 מֹשֶׁהH4872 בְּאָזְנֵיH241 כָּלH3605 קְהַלH6951 יִשְׂרָאֵלH3478 אֶתH853 דִּבְרֵיH1697 הַשִּׁירָהH7892 הַזֹּאתH2063 עַדH5704 תֻּמָּֽםH8552
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 Loth to part (we say)
bids oft farewell. Moses does so to the children of Israel: not because he was loth to go to God, but because he was loth to leave them, fearing that when he had left them they would leave God. He had finished what he had to say to them by way of counsel and exhortation: here he calls them together to give them a word of encouragement, especially with reference to the wars of Canaan, in which they were now to engage. It was a discouragement to them that Moses was to be removed at a time when he could so ill be spared: though Joshua was continued to fight for them in the valley, they would want Moses to intercede for them on the hill, as he did,
Exod 17:10. But there is no remedy:
Moses can no more go out and come in, Deut 31:2. Not that he was disabled by any decay either of body or mind; for his
natural force was not abated, Deut 24:7. But he cannot any longer discharge his office; for, 1. He is 120
years old, and it is time for him to think of resigning his honour and returning to his rest. He that had arrived at so great an age then, when seventy or eighty was the ordinary stint, as appears by the prayer of Moses (
Pss 90:10), might well think that he had accomplished as a hireling his day. 2. He is under a divine sentence:
Thou shalt not go over Jordan. Thus a full stop was put to his usefulness; hitherto he must go, hitherto he must serve, but no further. So God had appointed it and Moses acquiesces: for I know not why we should any of us desire to live a day longer than while God has work for us to do; nor shall we be accountable for more time than is allotted us. But, though Moses must not go over himself, he is anxious to encourage those that must.
I. He encourages the people; and never could any general animate his soldiers upon such good grounds as those on which Moses here encourages Israel. 1. He assures them of the constant presence of God with them (
Deut 31:3):
The Lord thy God. that has led thee and kept thee hitherto
will go over before thee; and those might follow boldly who were sure that they had God for their leader. He repeats it again (
Deut 31:6) with an emphasis:
The Lord thy God, the great Jehovah, who is thine in covenant,
he it is, he and no less, he and no other,
that goes before thee; not only who by his promise has assured thee that he
will go before thee; but by his ark, the visible token of his presence, shows thee that he
does actually
go before thee. And he repeats it with enlargement: Not only he goes over before thee at first, to bring thee in, but he will continue with thee all along, with thee and thine;
he will not fail thee nor forsake thee; he will not disappoint thy expectations in any strait, nor will he ever desert thy interest; be constant to him, and he will be so to thee. This is applied by the apostle to all God's spiritual Israel, for the encouragement of their faith and hope; unto us is this gospel preached, as well as unto them
He will never fail thee, nor forsake thee, Hebre 13:5. 2. He commends Joshua to them for a leader:
Joshua, he shall go over before thee, Deut 31:3. One whose conduct, and courage, and sincere affection to their interest, they had had long experience of; and one whom God had ordained and appointed to be their leader, and therefore, no doubt, would own and bless, and make a blessing to them. See
Num 27:18. Note, It is a great encouragement to a people when, instead of some useful instruments that are removed, God raises up others to carry on his work. 3. He ensures their success. The greatest generals, supported with the greatest advantages, must yet own the issues of war to be doubtful and uncertain; the battle is not always to the strong nor to the bold; an ill accident unthought of may turn the scale against the highest hopes. But Moses had warrant from God to assure Israel that, notwithstanding the disadvantages they laboured under, they should certainly be victorious. A coward will fight when he is sure to be a conqueror. God undertakes to do the work -
he will destroy these nations; and Israel shall do little else than divide the spoil -
thou shalt possess them, Deut 31:3. Two things might encourage their hopes of this: - (1.) The victories they had already obtained over Sihon and Og (
Deut 31:4), from which they might infer both the power of God, that he could do what he had done, and the purpose of God, that he would finish what he had begun to do. Thus must we improve our experience. (2.) The command God had given them to destroy the Canaanites (
Deut 7:2;
Deut 12:2), to which he refers here (
Deut 31:5, that you
may do unto them according to all which I have commanded you ), and from which they might infer that, if God had commanded them to destroy the Canaanites, no doubt he would put it into the power of their hands to do it. Note, What God has made our duty we have reason to expect opportunity and assistance from him for the doing of. So that from all this he had reason enough to bid them
be strong and of a good courage, Deut 31:6. While they had the power of God engaged for them they had no reason to fear all the powers of Canaan engaged against them.
II. He encourages Joshua,
Deut 31:7,
Deut 31:8. Observe, 1. Though Joshua was an experienced general, and a man of approved gallantry and resolution, who had already signalized himself in many brave actions, yet Moses saw cause to bid him
be of good courage, now that he was entering upon a new scene of action; and Joshua was far from taking it as an affront, or as a tacit questioning of his courage, to be thus charged, as sometimes we find proud and peevish spirits invidiously taking exhortations and admonitions for reproaches and reflections. Joshua himself is very well pleased to be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage. 2. He gives him this charge
in the sight of all Israel, that they might be the more observant of him whom they saw thus solemnly inaugurated, and that he might set himself the more to be an example of courage to the people who were witnesses to this charge here given to him as well as to themselves. 3. He gives him the same assurances of the divine presence, and consequently of a glorious success, that he had given the people. God would be with him, would not forsake him, and therefore he should certainly accomplish the glorious enterprise to which he was called and commissioned:
Thou shalt cause them to inherit the land of promise. Note, Those shall speed well that have God with them; and 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 shall flee, and God shall
shortly tread him under our feet. 9 The law was given by Moses; so it is said,
John 1:17. He was not only entrusted to deliver it to that generation, but to transmit it to the generations to come; and here it appears that he was faithful to that trust.
I.
Moses wrote this law, Deut 31:9. The learned bishop Patrick understands this of all the five books of Moses, which are often called the
law; he supposes that though Moses had written most of the Pentateuch before, yet he did not finish it till now; now he put his last hand to that sacred volume. Many think that the law here (especially since it is called
this law, this grand abridgment of the law) is to be understood of this book of Deuteronomy; all those discourses to the people which have taken up this whole book, he, being in them divinely inspired, wrote them as the word of God. He wrote this law, 1. That those who had heard it might often review it themselves, and call it to mind. 2. That it might be the more safely handed down to posterity. Note, The church has received abundance of advantage from the writing, as well as from the preaching, of divine things; faith comes not only by hearing, but by reading. The same care that was taken of the law, thanks be to God, is taken of the gospel too; soon after it was preached it was written, that it might reach to those on whom the ends of the world shall come.
II. Having written it, he committed it to the care and custody of the priests and elders. He delivered one authentic copy to the priests, to be laid up by the ark (v. 26), there to remain as a standard by which all other copies must be tried. And it is supposed that he gave another copy to the elders of each tribe, to be transcribed by all of that tribe that were so disposed. Some observe that the elders, as well as the priests, were entrusted with the law, to intimate that magistrates by the power, as well as ministers by their doctrine, are to maintain religion, and to take care that the law be not broken nor lost.
III. He appointed the public reading of this law in a general assembly of all Israel every seventh year. The pious Jews (it is very probable) read the laws daily in their families, and
Moses of old time was read in the synagogue every sabbath day, Acts 15:21. But once in seven years, that the law might be the more magnified and made honourable, it must be read in a general assembly. Though we read the word in private, we must not think it needless to hear it read in public. Now here he give direction,
1. When this solemn reading of the law must be, that the time might add to the solemnity; it must be done, (1.) In the year of release. In that year the land rested, so that they could the better spare time to attend this service. Servants who were then discharged, and poor debtors who were then acquitted from their debts, must know that, having the benefit of the law, it was justly expected they should yield obedience to it, and therefore give up themselves to be God's servants, because he had loosed their bonds. The year of release was typical of gospel grace, which therefore is called the
acceptable year of the Lord; for our remission and liberty by Christ engage us to keep his commandments,
Luke 1:74,
Luke 1:75. (2.) At the feast of tabernacles in that year. In that feast they were particularly required to
rejoice before God, Lev 23:40. Therefore then they must read the law, both to qualify their mirth and keep it in due bounds, and to sanctify their mirth, that they might make the law of God the matter of their rejoicing, and might read it with pleasure and not as a task.
2. To whom it must be read: To
all Israel (
Deut 31:11),
men, women, and children, and the strangers, Deut 31:12. The women and children were not obliged to go up to the other feasts, but to this only in which the law was read. Note, It is the will of God that all people should acquaint themselves with his word. It is a rule to all, and therefore should be read to all. It is supposed that, since all Israel could not possibly meet in one place, nor could one man's voice reach them all, as many as the courts of the Lord's house would hold met there, and the rest at the same time in their synagogues. The Jewish doctors say that the hearers were bound to
prepare their hearts, and to hear
with fear and reverence, and with joy and trembling, as in the day
when the law was given on Mount Sinai; and, though there were
great and wise men who knew the whole law very well, yet they were bound to
hear with great attention; for he that
reads is the messenger of the congregation to cause the words of God to be heard. I wish those that hear the gospel read and preached would consider this.
3. By whom it must be read:
Thou shalt read it (
Deut 31:11), Thou, O Israel, by a proper person appointed for that purpose; or, Thou, O Joshua, their chief ruler; accordingly we find that he did read the law himself,
Josh 8:34,
Josh 8:35. So did Josiah,
2Chr 34:30, and Ezra,
Neh 8:3. And the Jews say that the king himself (when they had one) was the person that read in the courts of the temple, that a pulpit was set up for that purpose in the midst of the court, in which the king stood, that the book of the law was delivered to him by the high priest, that he stood up to receive it, uttered a prayer (as every one did that was to read the law in public) before he read; and then, if he pleased, he might sit down and read. But if he read standing it was thought the more commendable, as (they say) king Agrippa did. Here let me offer it as a conjecture that Solomon is called the
preacher, in his Ecclesiastes, because he delivered the substance of that book in a discourse to the people, after his public reading of the law in the feast of tabernacles, according to this appointment here.
4. For what end it must be thus solemnly read. (1.) That the present generation might hereby keep up their acquaintance with the law of God,
Deut 31:12. They must hear, that they may learn, and
fear God, and observe to do their duty. See here what we are to aim at in hearing the word; we must hear, that we may learn and grow in knowledge; and every time we read the scriptures we shall find that there is still more and more to be learned out of them. We must learn, that we may fear God, that is, that we may be duly affected with divine things; and must fear God, that we may
observe and do the words of his law; for in vain do we pretend to fear him if we do not obey him. (2.) That the rising generation might betimes be leavened with religion (
Deut 31:13); not only that those who know something may thus know more, but that
the children who have not known any thing may betimes know this, how much it is their interest as well as duty to fear God.
14 Here, I. Moses and Joshua are summoned to attend the divine majesty at the door of the tabernacle,
Deut 31:14. Moses is told again that he must shortly die; even those that are most ready and willing to die have need to be often reminded of the approach of death. In consideration of this, he must come himself to meet God; for whatever improves our communion with God furthers our preparation for death. He must also bring Joshua with him to be presented to God for a successor, and to receive his commission and charge. Moses readily obeys the summons, for he was not one of those that look with an evil eye upon their successors, but, on the contrary, rejoiced in him.
II. God graciously gives them the meeting:
He appeared in the tabernacle (as the shechinah used to appear)
in a pillar of a cloud, v. 15. This is the only time in all this book that we read of the glory of God appearing, whereas we often read of it in the three foregoing books, which perhaps signifies that in the latter days, under the evangelical law, such visible appearances as these of the divine glory are not to be expected, but we must take heed to the more sure word of prophecy.
III. He tells Moses that, after his death, the covenant which he had taken so much pains to make between Israel and their God would certainly be broken. 1. That Israel would
forsake God, v. 16. And we may be sure that if the covenant between God and man be broken the blame must lie on man, it is he that breaks it; we have often observed it, That God never leaves any till they first leave him. Worshipping the gods of the Canaanites (who had been the natives, but henceforward were to be looked upon as the strangers of that land) would undoubtedly be counted a deserting of God, and, like adultery, a violation of the covenant. Thus still those are revolters from Christ, and will be so adjudged, who either make a god of their money by reigning covetousness or a god of their belly by reigning sensuality. Those that
turn to other gods (v. 18) forsake their own mercies. This apostasy of theirs is foretold to be the effect of their prosperity (v. 20):
They shall have eaten and filled themselves; this is all they will aim at in eating, to gratify their own appetites, and then they will wax fat, grow secure and sensual; their security will take off their dread of God and his judgments; and their sensuality will incline them to the idolatries of the heathen, which
made provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it. Note, God has a clear and infallible foresight of all the wickedness of the wicked, and has often covenanted with those who
he knew would deal very treacherously (
Isa 48:8), and conferred many favours on those who he knew would deal very ungratefully. 2. That then God would forsake Israel; and justly does he cast those off who had so unjustly cast him off (v. 17):
My anger shall be kindled against them, and I will forsake them. His providence would forsake them, no longer to protect and prosper them, and then they would become a prey to all their neighbours. His spirit and grace would forsake them, no longer to teach and guide them, and then they would be more and more bigoted, besotted, and hardened in their idolatries. Thus
many evils and troubles would befal them. (v. 17, 21), which would be such manifest indications of God's displeasure against them that they themselves would be constrained to own it:
Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us? Those that have sinned away their God will find that thereby they pull all mischiefs upon their own heads. But that which completed their misery was that God would
hide his face from them in that day, that day of their trouble and distress, v. 18. Whatever outward troubles we are in, if we have but the light of God's countenance, we may be easy. But, if God hide his face from us and our prayers, we are undone.
IV. He directs Moses to deliver them a song, in the composing of which he should be divinely inspired, and 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, v. 19. The written word in general, as well as this song in particular, is a witness for God against all those that break covenant with him. It shall be for a testimony,
Matt 24:14. The wisdom of man has devised many ways of conveying the knowledge of good and evil, by laws, histories, prophecies, proverbs, and, among the rest, by songs; each has its advantages. And the wisdom of God has in the scripture made use of them all, that ignorant and careless men might be left inexcusable. 1. This song, if rightly improved, might be a means to prevent their apostasy; for in the inditing of it God had an eye to their present imagination, now,
before they were brought into the land of promise, Deut 31:21. God knew very well that there were in their hearts such gross conceits of the deity, and such inclinations of idolatry, that they would be tinder to the sparks of that temptation; and therefore in this song he gives them warning of their danger that way. Note, The word of God is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of men's hearts, and meets with them strangely by its reproofs and corrections,
Hebre 4:12. Compare
1Cor 14:25. Ministers who preach the word know not the imaginations men go about, but God, whose word it is, knows perfectly. 2. If this song did not prevent their apostasy, yet it might help to bring them to repentance, and to recover them from their apostasy. When their troubles come upon them, this
song shall not be forgotten, but may serve as a glass to show them their own faces, that they may humble themselves, and return to him from whom they have revolted. Note, Those for whom God has mercy in store he may leave to fall, yet he will provide means for their recovery. Medicines are prepared before-hand for their cure.
22 Here, I. The charge is given to Joshua, which God has said (v. 14) he would give him. The same in effect that Moses had given him. The same in effect that Moses had given him (v. 7):
Be strong and of a good courage, v. 23. Joshua had now heard from God so much of the wickedness of the people whom he was to have the conduct of as could not but be a discouragement to him: Nay, says God, how bad soever they are, thou shalt go through thy understanding, for
I will be with thee. Thou shalt put them into possession of Canaan. If they afterwards by their sin throw themselves out of it again, that will be no fault of thine, nor any dishonour to thee, therefore
be of good courage. II. The solemn delivery of the book of the law to the Levites, to be deposited in the side of the ark, is here again related (v. 24-26), of which before, v. 9. Only they are here directed where to treasure up this precious original, not in the ark (there only the two tables were preserved), but in another box
by the side of the ark. It is probable that this was the very book that was found in the house of the Lord (having been somehow or other misplaced) in the days of Josiah (
2Chr 34:14), and so perhaps the following words here,
that it may be a witness against thee, may particularly point at that event, which happened so long after; for the finding of this very book occasioned the public reading of it by Josiah himself, for a witness against a people who were then almost ripe for their ruin by the Babylonians.
III. The song which follows in the next chapter is here delivered to Moses, and by him to the people. He wrote it first (v. 22), as the Spirit of God indited it, and then
spoke it in the ears of all the congregation (v. 30), and taught it to them (v. 22), that is, gave out copies of it, and ordered the people to learn it by heart. It was delivered by word of mouth first, and afterwards in writing, to the elders and officers, as the representatives of their respective tribes (v. 28), by them to be transmitted to their several families and households. It was delivered to them with a solemn appeal to heaven and earth concerning the fair warning which was given them by it of the fatal consequences of their apostasy from God, and with a declaration of the little joy and little hope Moses had in and concerning them. 1. He declares what little joy he had had of them while he was with them, v. 27. It is not in a passion that he says,
I know thy rebellion (as once he said unadvisedly,
Hear now, you rebels ), but it is the result of a long acquaintance with them:
you have been rebellious against the Lord. Their rebellions against himself he makes no mention of: these he had long since forgiven and forgotten; but they must be made to hear of their rebellions against God, that they may be ever repented of and never repeated. 2. What little hopes he had of them now that he was leaving them. From what God had now said to him (v. 16) more than from his own experience of them, though that was discouraging enough, he tells them (v. 29),
I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves. Many a sad thought, no doubt, it occasioned to this good man, to foresee the apostasy and ruin of a people he had taken so much pains with, in order to them good and make them happy; but this was his comfort, that he had done his duty, and that God would be glorified, if not in their settlement, yet in their dispersion. Thus our Lord Jesus, a little before his death, foretold the rise of false Christs and false prophets (
Matt 24:24), notwithstanding which, and all the apostasies of the latter times, we may be confident that
the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church, for the
foundation of God stands sure.