Deuteronomy 31:1-13
Joshua Commissioned as Moses' Successor
311 So Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel . 2 And he said to them, "I am a hundred and twenty years old today ; I am no longer able to come and go , and the Lord has said to me, ' You shall not cross this Jordan .' 3 " It is the Lord your God who will cross ahead of you; He will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken . 4 "The Lord will do to them just as He did to Sihon and Og , the kings of the Amorites , and to their land , when He destroyed them. 5 " The Lord will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you. 6 " Be strong and courageous , do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." 7 Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel , " Be strong and courageous , for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance . 8 " The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed ."
9 So Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests , the sons of Levi who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord , and to all the elders of Israel . 10 Then Moses commanded them, saying , "At the end of every seven years , at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths , 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place which He will choose , you shall read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing . 12 "Assemble the people , the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town , so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God , and be careful to observe all the words of this law . 13 "Their children , who have not known , will hear and learn to fear the Lord your God , as long e as you live on the land which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:1-13
Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:1-8
(Read Deuteronomy 31:1-8)
Moses assures Israel of the constant presence of God with them. This is applied by the apostle to all God's spiritual Israel, to encourage their faith and hope; unto us is this gospel preached, as well as unto them; he will never fail thee, nor forsake thee, Hebrews 13:5. Moses commends Joshua to them for a leader; one whose wisdom, and courage, and affection they had long known; one whom God had appointed to be their leader; and therefore would own and bless. Joshua is well pleased to be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage. Those shall speed well, who have God with them; therefore they ought to be of good courage. Through God let us do valiantly, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we resist the devil, he will flee from us.
Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:9-13
(Read Deuteronomy 31:9-13)
Though we read the word in private, we must not think it needless to hear it read in public. This solemn reading of the law must be done in the year of release. The year of release was typical of gospel grace, which is called the acceptable year of the Lord; for our pardon and liberty by Christ, engage us to keep his commandments. It must be read to all Israel, men, women, children, and to the strangers. It is the will of God that all people should acquaint themselves with his word. It is a rule to all, therefore should be read to all. Whoever has read of the pains taken by many persons to get scraps of the Scriptures, when a whole copy could not be obtained, or safely possessed, will see how thankful we should be for the thousands of copies amongst us. They will also understand the very different situation in which the Israelites were placed for many ages. But the heart of man is so careless, that all will be found too little, to keep up a knowledge of the truths, precepts, and worship of God.