What is happening in this passage where God speaks to Moses and Joshua?

In this passage, Moses is near the end of his life. God tells him, very plainly, that his days are almost over and calls him to bring Joshua to the tabernacle. There, in the visible sign of the pillar of cloud, God appears and gives Joshua his charge to lead Israel into the promised land. At the same time, God tells Moses that after he dies the people will turn to other gods, break the covenant, and face many troubles. God also commands a special song to be written and taught as a lasting witness against their future unfaithfulness.

What does it mean that Israel will "go a whoring after the gods" of the land?

That phrase uses marriage language to picture Israel’s relationship with God. God had taken Israel as His own people, like a husband and wife. When He says they will “go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land,” He is saying they will chase after other gods the way an unfaithful spouse chases other partners. It shows how serious idolatry is. Turning to the idols of the nations is not just a small mistake, but a deeply personal betrayal of the God who saved them and made a covenant with them.

What does it mean when God says He will "hide" His face from the people?

When God says He will hide His face, it means He will withdraw His favor and protection. Before, His presence with them meant blessing and help. If they turn to other gods and break His covenant, He will no longer shield them, and they will be “devoured” and hit by many evils and troubles. The people will feel this loss so sharply that they will say, “Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?” Hiding His face is a picture of God letting them feel the full weight of life without His nearness.

Why did God command a song to be written and taught to Israel?

God told Moses to write a song and teach it to the children of Israel so it would stay in their minds and hearts. The song was meant to be a witness for God against them. When they later turned to other gods and suffered many troubles, this song would remind them that they had been warned. It would explain that the land, food, and plenty came from God, and that turning away from Him was the reason for their troubles. A song is easier to remember than a speech, so it would not be forgotten from the mouths of their children.

Why does God say Israel will turn to other gods after they are full and "waxen fat"?

God explains that once He brings Israel into the good land, flowing with milk and honey, they will eat, be filled, and become “fat,” meaning comfortable and prosperous. Instead of this kindness leading them to thank Him, their sinful hearts will grow proud and careless. They will turn to other gods, serve them, provoke God, and break His covenant. This shows how often people forget God when life is easy. The passage reminds us that prosperity can tempt the heart away from the One who gave every good thing in the first place.

Who is Joshua in this passage, and what charge does he receive?

Joshua is Moses’ helper and the man God chooses to lead Israel after Moses dies. In this passage, God calls both Moses and Joshua to the tabernacle and gives Joshua a clear charge: he will bring the children of Israel into the land God promised to their fathers. God tells him, “Be strong and of a good courage,” and adds the promise, “I will be with thee.” Later in the same scene, Moses repeats this encouragement. Joshua’s strength is not in himself, but in God’s presence and promise to go with him.

What does this passage teach about God’s knowledge of Israel’s heart?

God says very plainly that He knows Israel’s imagination, what they are planning in their hearts, even before they enter the land. He is not surprised by their future sin. He knows they will enjoy the land, become full and comfortable, and then turn to other gods. Yet He still brings them in, warns them ahead of time, and gives them a song that will later remind and correct them. This shows that God fully knows human weakness, but still keeps His promises and gives clear words to bring people back when they wander.

What does this passage show about God’s character when His people turn from Him?

The passage shows that God is faithful, jealous for His people’s love, and also just. He keeps His promise to bring them into a rich land, but He will not ignore their turning to idols. When they forsake Him and break His covenant, His anger is kindled, and He hides His face, letting them meet the results of their choice. Yet He also gives them a song that explains what is happening, so they can see that their troubles come from leaving Him. God’s response is both righteous judgment and patient warning.

How can the warning in this passage speak to believers today?

This passage warns that hearts often drift when life is comfortable. Israel was told they would turn to other gods after they were full and settled, not when they were hungry and wandering. For believers today, it is a reminder not to forget God when things go well, or to trust in gifts instead of the Giver. It also shows the kindness of God in giving clear words and reminders, like the song, that point out when we have turned aside. The call to be strong and courageous in God’s presence still encourages those who lead and serve His people.

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

God Commissions Joshua

Israel Will Fall Away

14 ¶ 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.

Joshua Is Commissioned

And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.