Deuteronomy 31 - Preparations

One can sense the very near end in Deuteronomy 31.  Only three more chapters left in the entire Pentateuch.  Many things happen in Deuteronomy 31, all of them meant to prepare the Israelites for Moses' impending death.  The Law, written by the hand of Moses, is basically complete.  (One can presume that a new author has taken over, or is about to).  The Law Book, the Torah, is given to the priests, and one copy placed beside the Ark.  Joshua is officially pronounced Moses' heir (this episode also occurs in Numbers 27, which I wrote about on November 26th, 2010).  And Moses is instructed to compose a canticle which he will deliver to the people; something they can easily remember (while the priests and ancients will be in charge of learning the very complex Law).  This Canticle, which will be the focus of the next chapter, is obviously very significant.  It is Moses' last words to his people.  The greatest prophet of the Old Testament is about to pass away.  He will not set foot in the Promised Land.  And even though he gave everything he had to ensure his people lived according to God's Law, he was made aware that they would eventually fail and reject God, which must have broken his heart.  But perhaps God also allowed him to see the ultimate fate of his people, when they would one day re-embrace God in the Person of His Son, at the end of time, when all things would be accomplished, and perhaps he was consoled.

The focus will quickly be shifting.  I have spent the last three and a half years reading the Pentateuch, the Old Law.  Joshua will now be moving the narrative forward, and into inevitable warfare.  The tone of the text is bound to change.  For now, I sit back and marvel at the prophet Moses and just how privileged he was to enjoy such a close friendship with the Lord.  He will be leaving the pages of the Word soon.