Deuteronomy 31:19-23 – The impact of songs in the Christian journey

In Deuteronomy 31:23, we see God commissioning Joshua and urging him to be strong and courageous to fulfill the task of leading the people into the promised land. At the beginning of the book of Joshua, there are some details on his commissioning. Prior to his commissioning in Deuteronomy 31:19-21, God instructed Moses to write a song. 

The song was to be God’s continual warning to the people of Israel concerning their impending waywardness. His warning acted as a witness to the certainty of what would happen to them. In verses 20-21 God gave the reasons why He wanted Moses to write a song. Notice Moses was not only to personally write it but also to teach it. This song was an anticipation of what would happen in the future. The all-knowing, all-seeing God knew from the onset that despite all His blessings, the children of Israel would still turn from Him at some point. He knew the propensity of human hearts. He was sure that having been blessed and enjoyed His bountiful provisions, they would still spurn Him, break the covenant, and pursue other gods. He could see that there would be a time when His people would have utter disregard for Him and the divine judgment that their waywardness would invite. The song would then be a witness against them.        

The appropriate question to ask is why a song? What are its values? A song has great teaching values. It will be easier to remember and recall, and will more certainly stick to the minds. When words are put into rhythm and music, they have a way of touching the emotion. Reflection on the words in a song has an immense influence on one’s thinking and guides one toward appropriate action. This could be the reason why the church down the ages for the longest time has been singing hymns. Singing is one way where lessons of the Bible are being taught. Whether we know it or not, we tend to remember lessons better when they are put into songs.  

Singing was Paul’s admonition to the early Christians. He knew it would enhance their walk with God. So in Colossians 3:15, he says,  “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and  hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” And again in Ephesians 5:18-20, he says, “…do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.…” Obviously, Paul knew the values of the singing of the Word of God. It would do us well to sing unto the Lord and be enhanced with our walk with Him. Singing praises is the way to victory!  

Deuteronomy 31:14-18 – Be careful how we walk

The time to commission Joshua had come because Moses’s imminent departure was drawing nearer. The Lord told Moses to come before Him at the tent of meeting together with Joshua for the commissioning of the latter. So Moses did as he was told and came before the Lord who appeared to them in a pillar of cloud. The impending death of Moses was again reiterated to him. At the same time, the Lord also gave a sad warning of Israel’s future. With Joshua listening in, God told Moses that with his departure there would come a time when the people of Israel would rebel against Him and play harlotry with foreign gods in the land which they would soon enter. They would break the covenant He had made with them and forsake the Lord.

In Deuteronomy 31:17-18, God then went on to describe what would happen when they rebelled against Him. He warned that “His anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them, and they will be consumed, and many evils and troubles will come upon them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Is it not because our God is not among us that these evils have come upon us?’ But I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they will do, for they will turn to other gods.”

This sad inclination of rebelling against the Lord, however, was not just the unique tendency of the people of Israel. Evidently, this same inclination is also ours today. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tell us in no uncertain terms “…that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of^]godliness, although they have denied its power….” It behooves us therefore as people who profess to love God to be judicious and prudent with our lives.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. There is a need for us to cultivate integrity as we walk with the Lord. Be honest, responsible, trustworthy, dependable, and accountable in life. It would mean that we keep our focus on God and not allow the circumstances of life to shift us like chaff, shifted by the wind. As difficult as life may present itself, be sure not to cut corners and compromise on divine principles. Always take a stand for God’s Word. Take heed to the words of Hebrews 12:3, by “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.…”. When we do that, we will not let the world cause us to look to the right or left. Then we will not be derailed!

Deuteronomy 31:9-13 – The importance of God’s Word

Having presented Joshua as his successor to the people, Moses now turned to commit the law to them. The importance of the law must not be diminished. Here in Deuteronomy 31:9-13, Moses left instruction for the law which he had written down to be perpetuated and remembered. He gave the law which he had written to the priests, the Levites, who were responsible for ferrying the ark of the covenant, and the elders of Israel. The law was to be read and preserved for generations to come.  

The importance of the law could not be overemphasized. So the priests and elders were instructed to have it read to the people. Here in these five verses, Moses told them when and to whom was the law to be read. Firstly, the law was to be read on the year of release. Every seventh year was the year of release. It was the year where debts owed would be forfeited, and servants acquired would be discharged and set free. The was the occasion when the law was to be read. Secondly, the law was to be read during the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacle. This was a festival to remind the people of how God had preserved them throughout their journey. What a befitting occasion for the law to be reread. Thirdly, the law was to be read publicly. The Law formed an important part of educating the people whenever they came together to worship and commemorate all that God had done for them. Fourthly, the law was to be read to everyone, the young, the old, citizens as well as foreigners. Everyone must be made to know the law of God so that they would be careful to live them out.   

The law captured in writing would be more reliable than the oral transmission of it. In the written form, everything that God wanted the people to know and to practice had been captured and preserved. The people could always make sure that what they communicated or heard were no distortions. They would be forever available as a reference and guide for them to lead a God-honoring life.

We have come to acknowledge that the law refers to the first five books of the Bible written by Moses, known commonly as the Pentateuch. However, the Bible has also generally been referred to as the Word of God or the law of God. The first five books of the Bible were what the people of Israel had then. Today we have the complete Bible that includes the first five books of the law written by Moses. The whole counsel of God has been written and captured in the sixty-six books of the Bible. Hence the importance of reading, hearing, and obeying the Bible can never be overemphasized. It is God’s own word to us believers. We need to read it, study it, meditate on it, memorize it, digest it, and assimilate it if we want to lead a God-pleasing, God-honoring life. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that it is “…profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” The Word of God is given to help us shape a godly life. Don’t neglect it!  

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 - God qualifies His leaders

Moses made it clear that he was just God’s servant, the one who was truly leading them was the Lord. While he would love to be the one taking them into the promised land, he knew that this was not to be. God had already made it known to him earlier. Disappointed as he could be, he knew it was God’s final decision. So in verse 3, he told the people of Israel that God had already decided that Joshua would be the one who would lead them into the promised land.  

Having spoken to the people, Moses then called Joshua to his side as everyone looked on, and he commissioned Joshua. Openly, he urged this aide, who had been following him, to be strong and courageous before telling him what he was to do. Joshua was to go with the people into the land that “the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance.” He also reminded him that it would be the Lord who would go ahead of him and be with him. He assured Joshua that the Lord would not forsake him. Therefore Joshua was not to fear or be dismayed.

It was obvious that Joshua needed the encouragement as he was leading the people into uncharted territory. It was going to be a daunting task, but there was nothing for him to fear. For the LORD would be the one leading him and going with him into the promised land. Besides, the LORD would also not fail or forsake him. Hence, he should be courageous and boldly lead the people into the promised land.  

From these two verses, three things on leadership can be learned. Firstly, we must know that the best leaders are those whom God has appointed. They are people who did not elevate themselves. They know that it’s God who has qualified them and not their charisma or education. Secondly, every God-appointed leader must know that the mission he is called to do is God’s. Therefore,  he cannot afford to be casual about the mission. He must attend to the work with diligence and faithfulness. Thirdly, we learn that when God appoints a leader, He will be with him. Every God-appointed leader must know that that’s where he must derive his strength. He must not allow anxiety and fear to limit his progress. He must remember that God is the source of His strength.  When you are appointed by God, go in the full assurance that He Himself will be with you!

Deuteronomy 31:1-6 – God is with and for us

Moses led a very eventful life. Interestingly, his name was derived from how he was rescued. He was drawn out of the water. This was the meaning of his name, “one who is drawn out.” This name so aptly described his life and ministry. He began life by being drawn out from the water of death to live the first 40 years as the prince of Egypt, in the palace of Pharoah. Then at age 40, he was drawn into the desert to be trained. For the next 40 years of his life, he was a shepherd looking after his father-in-law’s flock in the desert. Then at age 80, he had another experience of being drawn out. He was drawn by a burning bush to hear the call of God and was used to lead His people out of their bondage. In the last forty years of his life, there were at least eight other occasions he was drawn out to meet with God.

One of the hallmarks of Moses’ life was his faithfulness. Passionately, he had led and guided the people of Israel for the last 40 years of his life. God called him the meekest man on earth. Yet for all his passion, he was after all still a human and was subjected to the wear and tear of life. The last four chapters of Deuteronomy capture the closing years of his life. In Deuteronomy 31:1, he acknowledged his frailty. He was now 120 years old and not as mobile as he was before. He would love to have led the people into the promised land. But the grave error he had committed at the water of Meribah cost him the opportunity. Though he was not given the privilege to lead the people into the promised land, he remained proactive. He told the people to look forward to their future.

While Moses was the one leading them, he knew that he was only the servant God chose to use. He knew that all along God was their real leader and the one who had been leading and guiding them. In Deuteronomy 31:1-6, he pointed them to that truth. He wanted them to know that it was God who had led and guided them all these times. While they had looked to him for leadership and guidance, the person behind all their successes was God. He was their true leader. Therefore, they were in good hands. No matter how challenging their future, it was secured. The Lord would be the one leading them forward. Not only would He lead them, but He would also be with them to see them through their conquest of the land. He would be the one delivering their enemies, and not their own hand. Therefore they should take heart and be bold and courageous, for He would not forsake or fail them.   

Leaders come and go, but the one who is forever on the throne is God. He will never forsake us or fail us. The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Is He the one leading and guiding us?” If He is, our victory is already ensured. He had promised that He will be with us. Christ’s invitation to us in Matthew 11:28-30 remains open. He says to us, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Hear the assuring words of 1 Thessalonians 5:24 again, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” Trust Him, follow Him, stay faithful to Him. He will never fail!

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 – Choose life

Moses laid out two paths before the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 30:15-20. One path would lead to life and prosperity, the other to death and adversity. The former would enable them to live and multiply and receive the blessing of God in the promised land where they would soon enter to possess. The latter would lead them to their end. Their days in the promised land would be cut short and they would surely perish.

However, Moses made it clear that the choice to take which of the two paths was theirs to make. Being concerned for them to make the right decision, Moses urged them to choose the former rather than the latter. He passionately pled with them to love the Lord their God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments. Moses however, also urged them not to choose the perilous alternative. They should not allow their hearts to lead them astray, turn away from God, walk in disobedience, and pursue other gods to worship and serve them. This was one decision they should never make.

In verse 19, Moses must have sensed that he had discharged his responsibility. He had made known the two alternatives and urged them strongly to take the one that would lead to life and prosperity. So he called on heaven and earth to witness that he had shown the two alternatives to the people with the best of his ability. He had urged them to make the right decision to honor God and experience the blessing that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the covenant.

Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians that God had chosen us to be His children before the foundation of the world. As His sons and daughters, each of us must now choose to live for Him. In choosing to live for Him we will be choosing life. Our daily victory is dependent on what decision we make each new morning. We must decide every morning to love the Lord our God. We must choose to obey His voice and cling to His promises. Our goal is determined by the decision we make each living moment. So don’t be myopic. Choose rightly and live!  

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 – It is not difficult to follow God

In the book of Deuteronomy, God had made clear the expectations He wanted from His people. The blessings were theirs when they obeyed His instructions and commandments. But the experience of curses would equally be sure when they disobeyed His instructions. The curses, however, were only there to deter them from walking in disobedience. In other words, God had made the blessings attainable through obedience. There was nothing difficult about it. All it required of them was their obedience.

The question to ask is what makes following and obeying God easy? Here in Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Moses shared a few thoughts on how easy it is to follow God. Firstly, he said it was because the instructions and commandments of God were not vague or mysterious. God did not speak in a cryptic language that needed to be unraveled. Everything He said was plain, reasonable, logical, and comprehensible. Secondly, Moses made it clear that the instructions of God were easily accessible. They were not too high that one needed to go to heaven to attain it. Nor was it too far flung from them that they needed to travel and cross the sea to attain them. They were near and within the reach of everyone. Thirdly, God’s instructions were doable and practical. They were both communicable in the mouth and comprehensible in the heart. He assured them that they could do it.

God had revealed His will and what was required was for them to love and obey Him. In these verses, we sense the call of God to love Him. And loving God must be translated into obedience and a faithful walk with Him. We cannot run away from the fact that obedience is love in action!