Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 31

Verses 1-30

Deuteronomy 31:7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

Deuteronomy 31:7 Comments - Moses represents “The Law,” which failed in that it did not succeed in bringing men into redemption and restore fellowship with God. Joshua represents “Jesus Christ.” He is able to bring us into Promised Land, since the Law was not able to save us (Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:11).

Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Galatians 3:11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 Comments Moses Charges Joshua - Moses’ charge to Joshua to be strong and of good courage in Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Deuteronomy 31:23 is similar to the command that God gave to Joshua in Joshua 1:6-7.

Joshua 1:6-7, “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”

Deuteronomy 31:19 Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:19 Scripture References - Note similar verses:

Psalms 50:4, “He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.”

Deuteronomy 4:26, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.”

Deuteronomy 31:24 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,

Deuteronomy 31:25 That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,

Deuteronomy 31:26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

Deuteronomy 31:24-26 Comments - The Book of the Law Many biblical scholars understand the phrase “book of the law” mentioned in Deuteronomy 31:24-26 as a reference to the Pentateuch, the first five books of Moses. The phrase “until they were finished” points to the fact that the text, and the books of the Pentateuch, are now complete and have come to an end. This has led many scholars to conclude that Deuteronomy 32-34 is an epilogue added during later redaction, or editing of the Old Testament Scriptures, perhaps during the time of Ezra after the Babylonian Captivity.

Deuteronomy 31:27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

Deuteronomy 31:28 Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.

Deuteronomy 31:28 Scripture References - Note a similar verse:

Psalms 50:4, “He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.”