Today started out in Moab and the covenant was renewed. Moses spoke to the people of Israel and reminded them of all the things the Lord had done for them along their journey. They were all gathered that day, before the Lord, so they could enter into the sworn covenant with Him to be His people and He their God.
This whole section was repetitive in that Israel were to follow and obey the Lord our God, and no others. If they obeyed and followed the commandments, laws, statutes, etc. then they would be blessed, if not they would have to deal with the consequences, or curses.
Moses declared that understanding, believing, and obeying the covenant was not beyond them. He meant this when he said, “This commandment that I demand you today is not too hard for you, neither is far off.”
This was ultimately a choice between “life and death,” or “blessing and curse.”
“Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days…”
When they chose the Lord, they chose life. “All the words of the law” are said to be their life. The law, the Lord, and life are bound together. “Life” in this context refers to all that makes life rich, full, and productive; as God created it to be.
Then it went on to talk about how Joshua would be Moses’ successor. Moses was 120 years old, and could no longer lead them. This wasn’t necessarily a reference to physical disability, but the fact that God would not allow Moses into Canaan because of his sin.
Instead, “the Lord your God himself, will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the Lord had spoken.”
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
-Deuteronomy 31:6
Then Moses wrote the law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.”
All the people would be assembled; men, women, children, the sojourner, and they would hear the law, and learn to fear the Lord. They had to be careful to do all the words the law commanded.
The Lord said to Moses that his time to die was approaching. He was to bring Joshua, son of Nun, to the tent of meeting so he could be commissioned. The Lord appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses saying how once he died, the people would go back to their old ways. They already were not that great at following the rules, and now it would be even worse.
The Lord said, “For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.”
Because of this, Moses was to write a song and teach it to the people of Israel. For when they disobey the Lord, and break his covenant, the song would confront them as a witness. So, Moses wrote a song the very same day and taught it to the people.
Also, when Moses finished writing the words of the law in a book, (Deuteronomy), the book was placed in the ark of the covenant by the Levites. It was to be there as a witness against them, because Moses also knew how the people were.
Moses said, “For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord. How much more after my death!”
He assembled all the elders of the tribes and officers, and spoke to them these words, “For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you. And in the days to come, evil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger through the work of your hands.”
Then Moses spoke the words of the song he had written, to all the assembly of Israel.