Deu 31:28 | KingComments | STEP | After the book of law comes the song. This is the song written down in Deuteronomy 32. The book and the song form a wonderful whole: God’s counsel contained in His book and His ways of warning and grace contained in the song. It is a sad song that ends happily with the triumph of God’s grace. Is it possible to make a song about the decline and sad history of God’s people? Yes, it is, because it ends well by the grace of God. Moses teaches the people the song. He teaches them the content of it, he tells them what it means. He lets them repeat it over and over again, so that it is engraved deep in their memory. A national anthem has a powerful influence on the deepest feelings of a people. A song can be learned by heart and taught to the children. The content of the teaching of God’s Word can very well be passed on through a song ( ). But men made songs must be checked if they are according to the Scriptures. After the command to write down the song, God says, as only He can do, in one verse ( ), what He will do and what the people will do. He fulfils His promise and brings them to the delight of blessing, but the people turn to other gods and despise Him. He knows their mindset. Their hearts are an open book to Him ( ). That is why it is all the more striking that He lets Moses write a song. In it are sung of the rebellious deeds of the people and the gracious deeds of God. God needs a just basis for this compassionate action. He has found this in His Son. After the prophecy of the deviation of the people it is necessary to encourage Joshua again ( ). This time the LORD does that Himself. If young people in the church see much weakness and failure of older believers who should be an example, it is necessary that they seek their strength in the Lord and do not give up. In a time of decline, Paul encouraged his child in faith, Timothy: “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” ( ). Once again, following Joshua’s encouragement, there is an indication concerning the book. Moses commissions the book to be placed next to the ark of the covenant. This determines us by God’s faithfulness to His covenant. When Moses speaks of their rebellion, he speaks not that they were against him , but against the LORD . What is done to the LORD weighs heavier for him than what is done to him. Moses is ready to pronounce the words of the song which the LORD puts in his mouth. He calls all elders and overseers to him. He takes the heavens and the earth as witnesses against them. It is possible that this means the inhabitants of heaven and earth, men and angels, who will all agree with the truth expressed in this song. It is also possible that heaven and earth are represented here as persons. The heavens and the earth are maintained by God’s Word and guided to the purpose He has with them ( ). They do not oppose it ( ). Creation speaks a reproaching language for all who disobey God’s commandments ( ). See also Psalm 19 where God’s creation and God’s Word both bear witness to God’s majesty ( ). The words Moses speaks in show a striking connection with the words of Paul in his farewell speech to the elders in Ephesus: “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” ( ). In their farewell address, Moses and Paul both show insight into the true condition of the people to whom they have devoted their lives. They speak prophetic words in view of the development of that people after their passing away, which in both cases have proved to be true.

‏ Deuteronomy 31:28

Moses Has to Write a Song to Teach

After the book of law comes the song. This is the song written down in Deuteronomy 32. The book and the song form a wonderful whole: God’s counsel contained in His book and His ways of warning and grace contained in the song. It is a sad song that ends happily with the triumph of God’s grace. Is it possible to make a song about the decline and sad history of God’s people? Yes, it is, because it ends well by the grace of God.

Moses teaches the people the song. He teaches them the content of it, he tells them what it means. He lets them repeat it over and over again, so that it is engraved deep in their memory. A national anthem has a powerful influence on the deepest feelings of a people. A song can be learned by heart and taught to the children. The content of the teaching of God’s Word can very well be passed on through a song (Col 3:16). But men made songs must be checked if they are according to the Scriptures.

After the command to write down the song, God says, as only He can do, in one verse (Deu 31:20), what He will do and what the people will do. He fulfils His promise and brings them to the delight of blessing, but the people turn to other gods and despise Him.

He knows their mindset. Their hearts are an open book to Him (Heb 4:13). That is why it is all the more striking that He lets Moses write a song. In it are sung of the rebellious deeds of the people and the gracious deeds of God. God needs a just basis for this compassionate action. He has found this in His Son.

After the prophecy of the deviation of the people it is necessary to encourage Joshua again (Deu 31:23). This time the LORD does that Himself. If young people in the church see much weakness and failure of older believers who should be an example, it is necessary that they seek their strength in the Lord and do not give up. In a time of decline, Paul encouraged his child in faith, Timothy: “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:1).

Once again, following Joshua’s encouragement, there is an indication concerning the book. Moses commissions the book to be placed next to the ark of the covenant. This determines us by God’s faithfulness to His covenant. When Moses speaks of their rebellion, he speaks not that they were against him, but against the LORD. What is done to the LORD weighs heavier for him than what is done to him.

Moses is ready to pronounce the words of the song which the LORD puts in his mouth. He calls all elders and overseers to him. He takes the heavens and the earth as witnesses against them. It is possible that this means the inhabitants of heaven and earth, men and angels, who will all agree with the truth expressed in this song.

It is also possible that heaven and earth are represented here as persons. The heavens and the earth are maintained by God’s Word and guided to the purpose He has with them (Heb 1:3). They do not oppose it (Psa 119:89-91). Creation speaks a reproaching language for all who disobey God’s commandments (Job 20:27). See also Psalm 19 where God’s creation and God’s Word both bear witness to God’s majesty (Psa 19:1-12).

The words Moses speaks in Deu 31:29 show a striking connection with the words of Paul in his farewell speech to the elders in Ephesus: “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29). In their farewell address, Moses and Paul both show insight into the true condition of the people to whom they have devoted their lives. They speak prophetic words in view of the development of that people after their passing away, which in both cases have proved to be true.