31:1-2 Moses informs the Israelites of his impending departure; he is 120 years old. Moses' time on earth comes to close, however, not because of his age but because God has determined the end of his purpose here. It is a reminder to us that we have no limitations when we journey with God; he ensures our time here will last as long as our purpose takes.
31:3 Joshua will take over as prophet and God will remain as the leader. God will continue to swipe and keep the enemies away. Our relationship with God is not dependent on an intermediary. Nobody has to stand in on our behalf, Jesus united our spirits with God's. As for the Israelite's God will continue to lead them through prophet after prophet until they are ready for the direct and personal connection we have now.
We can understand that this would be somewhat of a frightening time for the children of Israel. They do not yet trust God; they have relied on Moses' faith. Now that Moses is leaving them, they will have to deepen their own faith and trust God more than they ever have before.
31:4-5 God promises to remain productive and faithful. The reassurance is for Joshua and the Israelites. Other than Moses' departure, nothing in their lives should change. As long as they retain their faith, they will continue to walk toward blessing under God's protection the entire time.
31:6 This should be the truth we carry with us in every moment: Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
The children of Israel were a nomadic camp that faced powerful nations with armies. On the surface, they were underdogs. There are many times in our own lives when we feel like underdogs. God wants them and us to know that no matter what the situation looks like, with Him, we are always on top.
Joshua was about to lead the group: a monumental task. Yet just as he always did, he trusted God would enable him and prepare him for the job. Joshua had to follow God on pure faith; he would have never been able to lead with group without him. No land. No resources. No mentor (as Moses was about to leave).
Joshua's faith, like Abraham's faith, is worthy of emulation. If God were to command them: "Jump!", they would have said: "How high?" Instead of asking: "Why?" they would have just trusted that he knew best. As a concept it is easy to understand... it is more difficult to implement. Trust must be developed, which is why Moses spent so much time encouraging us to establish and maintain our relationships with God.
31:3 Joshua will take over as prophet and God will remain as the leader. God will continue to swipe and keep the enemies away. Our relationship with God is not dependent on an intermediary. Nobody has to stand in on our behalf, Jesus united our spirits with God's. As for the Israelite's God will continue to lead them through prophet after prophet until they are ready for the direct and personal connection we have now.
We can understand that this would be somewhat of a frightening time for the children of Israel. They do not yet trust God; they have relied on Moses' faith. Now that Moses is leaving them, they will have to deepen their own faith and trust God more than they ever have before.
31:4-5 God promises to remain productive and faithful. The reassurance is for Joshua and the Israelites. Other than Moses' departure, nothing in their lives should change. As long as they retain their faith, they will continue to walk toward blessing under God's protection the entire time.
31:6 This should be the truth we carry with us in every moment: Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
The children of Israel were a nomadic camp that faced powerful nations with armies. On the surface, they were underdogs. There are many times in our own lives when we feel like underdogs. God wants them and us to know that no matter what the situation looks like, with Him, we are always on top.
Joshua was about to lead the group: a monumental task. Yet just as he always did, he trusted God would enable him and prepare him for the job. Joshua had to follow God on pure faith; he would have never been able to lead with group without him. No land. No resources. No mentor (as Moses was about to leave).
Joshua's faith, like Abraham's faith, is worthy of emulation. If God were to command them: "Jump!", they would have said: "How high?" Instead of asking: "Why?" they would have just trusted that he knew best. As a concept it is easy to understand... it is more difficult to implement. Trust must be developed, which is why Moses spent so much time encouraging us to establish and maintain our relationships with God.
31:7 Moses gives encouragement to Joshua: be strong and brave in faith. Joshua was inheriting this group and an incredible amount of responsibility. Moses informs Joshua that he will be the one to lead this group into the promise land. One tiny person leading a massive group into enemy territory!
31:8 Moses pours reassurance into Joshua with the reminder that God will go before him into any place. As long as we are following God, there is no place we can go that He hasn't already made safe for us. There is no place we can go that He has not already prepared us for. And once we get there, He never leaves us. We are never alone.
That promise would only be comforting to a faithful child of God. As Joshua steps into his role as leader, be grateful for the lesson his faith teaches us. Without knowing the how, Joshua moved forward. There are so many instances in our lives when we pray for something or wish to accomplish something but let not knowing the how stop us from receiving and doing.
God takes care of the how. We just follow, listen and learn. Joshua understands that and is therefore worthy of this great responsibility. Since Numbers 14, we have witnessed Joshua's bold and steadfast faith in God.
31:8 Moses pours reassurance into Joshua with the reminder that God will go before him into any place. As long as we are following God, there is no place we can go that He hasn't already made safe for us. There is no place we can go that He has not already prepared us for. And once we get there, He never leaves us. We are never alone.
That promise would only be comforting to a faithful child of God. As Joshua steps into his role as leader, be grateful for the lesson his faith teaches us. Without knowing the how, Joshua moved forward. There are so many instances in our lives when we pray for something or wish to accomplish something but let not knowing the how stop us from receiving and doing.
God takes care of the how. We just follow, listen and learn. Joshua understands that and is therefore worthy of this great responsibility. Since Numbers 14, we have witnessed Joshua's bold and steadfast faith in God.
31:9-13 Moses has prepared Joshua, now he prepares the Levites (those appointed to organize and maintain the group's faith). The Levites are told to read these commandments at least every seven years. Our relationship with God is dependent on the time we spend with him. He cannot teach us when we are away from Him. Moses wants to ensure that the group is going over this philosophy frequently.
31:14 Moses prepares to inaugurate Joshua. Joshua's position was appointed by God in Numbers 27 and is not coming into fruition.
31:15-18 The presence of God comes to the camp and makes known the Israelites' future. God already knows that their faith will be abandoned and that they were live in opposition to Him. God explains that their evil behavior will ruin their blessings and stunt them altogether. God promises that He will not be present with them in their corrupt behavior.
31:19-21 The next chapter will give us the song of Moses. In these verses, Moses tells the children of Israel to learn to song so that the Israelites' descendants will understand their journey from beginning to end. God already knows that this group will break their covenant with Him. Yet as we live in our own generation, we do not understand our present reality as directly subsequent of our ancestors' actions. Because God sees all, He knows and therefore writes this song which explains the whole story.
God as lead the children of Israel to a beautiful land, abundantly filled with resources and blessings. Yet because the children of Israel will turn to corruption, their children will not be born into the great and safe land. The song in the next verse will explain that.
31:22-23 Moses writes the song (read in: Deuteronomy 32) and inaugurates Joshua.
31:24-27 Moses brings the commandments to the Levites and tells them to keep the law with the ark of the covenant. Moses knows the Israelites' faith is weak and he does everything he can to encourage them to strengthen it. Keeping God's word close, might encourage us to actually read it, and reading it keeps us tethered to His principles.
31:25-29 Moses speaks to the leaders of each tribe and implores them to keep the faith alive. Remember, Moses taught them (and us) to choose a side in Deuteronomy 11: curse or blessing? Our future is in our own hands. Following God delivers us right into blessing.
31:15-18 The presence of God comes to the camp and makes known the Israelites' future. God already knows that their faith will be abandoned and that they were live in opposition to Him. God explains that their evil behavior will ruin their blessings and stunt them altogether. God promises that He will not be present with them in their corrupt behavior.
31:19-21 The next chapter will give us the song of Moses. In these verses, Moses tells the children of Israel to learn to song so that the Israelites' descendants will understand their journey from beginning to end. God already knows that this group will break their covenant with Him. Yet as we live in our own generation, we do not understand our present reality as directly subsequent of our ancestors' actions. Because God sees all, He knows and therefore writes this song which explains the whole story.
God as lead the children of Israel to a beautiful land, abundantly filled with resources and blessings. Yet because the children of Israel will turn to corruption, their children will not be born into the great and safe land. The song in the next verse will explain that.
31:22-23 Moses writes the song (read in: Deuteronomy 32) and inaugurates Joshua.
31:24-27 Moses brings the commandments to the Levites and tells them to keep the law with the ark of the covenant. Moses knows the Israelites' faith is weak and he does everything he can to encourage them to strengthen it. Keeping God's word close, might encourage us to actually read it, and reading it keeps us tethered to His principles.
31:25-29 Moses speaks to the leaders of each tribe and implores them to keep the faith alive. Remember, Moses taught them (and us) to choose a side in Deuteronomy 11: curse or blessing? Our future is in our own hands. Following God delivers us right into blessing.
31:30 This verse an introduction to The Song of Moses, which we will read in the next chapter.
