Deu 31:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Deut 31:1-29: 31:1-29 For covenant documents to have abiding authority and relevance, they must be kept perpetually in a place where both parties could have easy access to them. The book of Deuteronomy had to be preserved for future reference so that Israel would always be reminded to submit to the Lord’s sovereignty. Summary for Deut 31:1-8: 31:1-8 Moses’ impending death meant that his role as covenant administrator would soon be over. Joshua had to be properly and publicly introduced as his successor with the same authority. 31:1 Based on the context, these instructions refers to all of Deuteronomy (see 1:1 ).

a31:1-29►

b31:1-8►

c31:1►

d1:1►

e31:3►

f1:30►

gExod 17:8►

hDeut 1:38►

i3:23-29►

jNum 27:15-23►

k31:4►

lNum 21:21-35►

m31:6►

nHeb 13:5►

‏ Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Summary for Deut 31:1-29: 31:1-29 ^a For covenant documents to have abiding authority and relevance, they must be kept perpetually in a place where both parties could have easy access to them. The book of Deuteronomy had to be preserved for future reference so that Israel would always be reminded to submit to the Lord’s sovereignty.
Summary for Deut 31:1-8: 31:1-8 ^b Moses’ impending death meant that his role as covenant administrator would soon be over. Joshua had to be properly and publicly introduced as his successor with the same authority. 31:1 ^c Based on the context, these instructions refers to all of Deuteronomy (see 1:1 ^d).
31:3 ^e The Lord ... will cross over ahead of you: The conquest would be God’s war. The conflict would be commanded, initiated, and led by the Divine Warrior, the Lord God of Israel (see 1:30 ^f).

• From the earliest days of the Sinai wandering (Exod 17:8 ^g) to the present, Joshua had served as Moses’ attendant; now he was divinely appointed as Moses’ successor (see Deut 1:38 ^h; 3:23-29 ⁱ; Num 27:15-23 ^j).
31:4 ^k Sihon and Og: See study note on 2:24; Num 21:21-35 ^l.
31:6 ^m He will neither fail you nor abandon you: This encouragement for Israel on the verge of taking possession of the Promised Land also states a general principle of God’s care for his people (see also Heb 13:5 ⁿ).