What is happening in this passage when God calls Moses and Joshua?

This scene takes place near the end of Moses’ life. God tells Moses that his death is near and calls him, along with Joshua, into the tabernacle of the congregation. There, the LORD appears in a pillar of cloud over the door of the tent. In that setting, God both confirms Joshua’s role as the new leader and reveals what will happen after Moses is gone. God explains that Israel will turn to other gods, break the covenant, and face many troubles because of their unfaithfulness.

Why does God say Israel will go after other gods and break his covenant?

God tells Moses that after Israel enters the good land, eats, is filled, and grows “fat,” they will turn away from him. In their prosperity they will forget who gave them the land and start worshiping the gods of the nations around them. God calls this “going a whoring” after other gods, like a spouse being unfaithful. By chasing idols, they would forsake him and break the covenant he made with them. God also says he already knows the imaginations they are forming in their hearts, even before they enter the land.

What does it mean when God says he will hide his face from Israel?

When God says he will hide his face, it means he will withdraw his favor and protection. Instead of watching over them for good, he will leave them to the results of their sin. Enemies will devour them, and many evils and troubles will fall on them. The people will feel that God is not among them and will even say so. Hiding his face does not mean God stops existing, but that he no longer shows his friendly presence and help, because they have turned to other gods.

Why does God command Moses to write a song and teach it to Israel?

God tells Moses to write a song and put it in the mouths of the people so that it will be a witness for God against Israel. The song would remind them of God’s goodness, their covenant, and what would happen if they turned to idols. When troubles later came because of their sins, the words of the song would stand as evidence that they had been clearly warned. God also says the song will not be forgotten from the mouths of their children, so it would keep speaking to each new generation about faithfulness and the consequences of rebellion.

What does this passage teach about God’s character and human sin?

This passage shows both God’s faithfulness and human unfaithfulness. God keeps his promise to bring Israel into a land flowing with milk and honey, even though he knows they will later rebel. He knows their hearts and still gives them warning and a song to remind them of the covenant. At the same time, the passage shows how quickly people can forget God when they become comfortable and full. It teaches that idolatry is like spiritual adultery, that God’s anger against it is real, and that losing his favor is far worse than losing material blessings.

What is the purpose of the song being a witness against the children of Israel?

The song is meant to stand as a kind of testimony in future days. God says that when many evils and troubles come on Israel because they have turned to other gods, this song will testify against them. It will show that God had warned them clearly and that their suffering is not random, but the result of breaking the covenant. Because it would be memorized and passed down, it could not be easily ignored or forgotten. The song would prove both God’s patience in warning them and their own responsibility for walking away from him.

How does Israel’s prosperity in the land relate to their future idolatry?

God explains that the turning point will come after he brings Israel into the rich land he promised, a land flowing with milk and honey. Once they have eaten, are full, and have grown fat, they will become careless. Instead of letting blessings lead them to deeper thankfulness, they will become self-satisfied and chase other gods. The passage shows how plenty can tempt people to forget God. It warns that a full stomach and an easy life can make the heart wander if people stop remembering who gave them those good things.

Who are the main people in this passage, and what roles do they have?

The main people mentioned are the LORD, Moses, Joshua, and the children of Israel. The LORD is the one who speaks, appears in the pillar of cloud, and knows the future of his people. Moses is the aging leader who is told his death is near and who is commanded to write and teach the song. Joshua is Moses’ successor, called into God’s presence to receive a charge for his future leadership. The children of Israel are the covenant people who will receive the land, but who are also warned that they will later turn to idols and face judgment.

Deut.31.14

Deuteronomy 31:14

KJV GOD

¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation

Israel Will Fall Away

¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation

And the Lord appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.

¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?

And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.

Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.

For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

¶ Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.