Deuteronomy 31:24-29 – Keep God’s Word close at heart

Having installed Joshua as his successor, Moses continued to write the law into a book.  When it was completed, he handed it to the Levites, the bearers of the Ark of the covenant and instructed them to place the law inside the Ark. The law would bear witness to their rebelliousness.

In Deuteronomy 31:27, though Moses was speaking to the Levites, he was making known outrightly the tendency of the people. He did not mince his words. He told them in no uncertain terms that they would rebel against God. What he said to them was not an accusation for he had personally experienced their rebelliousness and stubbornness first-hand. He surmised that if they would display such reckless and careless disregard for God when he was alive, there would be no way that they would not do the same after his demise. To prove what was said of them was true, the law would stand as a witness against them.

In Deuteronomy 31:28-29, Moses assembled the elders of the tribes as well as the officers or administrators. He reiterated what he had told the Levites earlier. He told them that after his death they would act corruptly and turn from the commandments. And that they would act corruptly in the latter days. Then they would do what was evil in the sight of God and provoke the Lord to anger.

The tendency of Israel was not uniquely theirs. All of us fallen people who have inherited Adam’s nature have the same tendency too. If not for God’s regenerating grace given freely for us at Calvary, we would forever be lost. This passage is a grim reminder of how much we need Jesus. Truly apart from Him, we can do nothing. We need to take care of our hearts and attitudes. We need to take time to tenderize our hearts before God. A passage like this reminds us to keep the Word of God in our hearts so that we will remember not to sin against Him. Guard your heart diligently for from it flows the issue of life!