Justin Houtz

Deuteronomy 30-31; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1

DateVersionReading Plan
March 16, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Deuteronomy 30-31

Observation & Interpretation

Chapter 30 continues in Moses’ discourse with the people on behalf of the LORD, telling them that when they call to mind all the blessing and the curse and return to the LORD their God—obeying His voice in all that He commanded them—He would have mercy on them and again take delight in prospering them. Moses explained that this command was not hidden, far from them or too hard for them but the word was very near them, in their mouth and in their heart. Before the people had been set life and good, death and evil and they were compelled to choose life, keeping the LORD’s statutes and commands that He would bless them in the land they were entering to possess. However, if they turn away from Him to worship other gods and serve them, they will surely perish.

Chapter 31 pivots to Moses’ declaration that he had become aged, no longer to go out and come in and restated that the LORD had told him that he would not go over the Jordan. Instead, a transition of leadership to be made to Joshua who would go over as head to dispossess the nations. Moses summoned Joshua and told him to be strong and courageous and that he would go over with the people into the land that the LORD has sworn to give to their fathers. Moses then wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, and commanded them to read it every seven years, at the time of release, the Feast of Booths. The LORD told Moses that his death was approaching that that he was to present himself along with Joshua in the tent of meeting for Joshua’s commissioning as head of the people. The LORD spoke to Moses that he was about to die and that the people would rise and whore after other gods, resulting in the LORD’s anger and many troubles to befall them. Moses was to write a song to place into their mouths that would confront them as a witness. After writing the song, Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark to put the Book of the Law by the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD their God. He told them that he knew how stubborn and rebellious they are, even while he was yet alive. The Levites were to assemble all the tribal elders and officers and call heaven and earth to witness against them and Moses told the Levites that they would surely act corruptly after his death. Moses then spoke to the words of the song until they were finished.

Application

It is profound and should grieve us deeply that Moses knew how the people would turn from the LORD and aside from what He had commanded. The fickleness of the sinful human heart has not changed from the days of Moses. We are plagued with the same self-focused, rebellious nature. The objects of our misplaced worship may have changed, but our idolatrous pursuits all stem from the same root of corruption. May the LORD by His Spirit help us in bringing to light the wrongful inclinations of His people in every generation, that we would turn from our sinful ways and toward Him in faithful obedience.

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