Deuteronomy 31:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:16-21

Faithful words silent accusers of those who heed them not. In the several paragraphs of this chapter we find that Moses was borne along by the Holy Ghost to take a glance into the future. He had been instructed by God to give a charge to Joshua, and to surrender into his hands the leadership of the host. He had given to the priests their commission to guard the Law for the people. And now there remained but for him to give his final words to the people themselves. The Omniscient One... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:16-29

The last precaution against idolatry. We cannot trace into all its ramifications the subtle influence of a good man's life. If it does not accomplish all that he has desired, it often achieves more than he imagines. It operates in directions he had not designed. The presence of a good man will often repress an evil which he cannot eradicate. All the faith and piety of Moses had hardly restrained the people from idolatry; his removal will be the loosening of the flood-gates which had held... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:16-30

God's foresight of Israel's declension. We learn— I. THAT THE FUTURE IS PERFECTLY UNVEILED TO GOD . God claims this power as one of his prerogatives ( Isaiah 41:22 ; Isaiah 42:9 ; Isaiah 43:25 , Isaiah 43:26 ; Isaiah 45:20 , Isaiah 45:21 ). And no one can question but that these predictions have been strikingly fulfilled. The people did corrupt themselves and turn aside, and evil did befall them in the latter days ( Deuteronomy 31:29 ). II. THAT ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 31:14-23

The transaction recorded in these verses may be regarded as the solemn inauguration of Joshua to the office to which he had some time before Numbers 27:22 been called, and his recognition in it by God, which were manifested by his being summoned into the tabernacle with Moses while the Lord appeared in the pillar of cloud (compare Numbers 11:25; Numbers 12:5).Deuteronomy 31:16The future apostasy of the people is announced in the presence of Joshua that the latter might be fully aware of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:1-29

31:1-34:12 MOSES’ LAST DAYSArrangements for the future (31:1-29)Knowing he had only a few more days to live, Moses handed over the leadership of Israel to his divinely appointed successor, Joshua. He reminded both Joshua and the people that fearless commitment to the task ahead, combined with total trust in God, would guarantee victory over the Canaanites and possession of the promised land (31:1-8,14-15,23; see notes on Numbers 27:12-23).Moses then made three separate arrangements to ensure... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 31:20

into the land = on to the soil. Hebrew. 'adamah. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 31:20

16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, . . . this people will rise up—In this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan ( :-), and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 31:1-29

A. The duties of Israel’s future leaders 31:1-29"Israel was not to be a nation of anarchists or even of strong human leaders. It was a theocratic community with the Lord as King and with his covenant revelation as fundamental constitution and law. The theme of this section is the enshrinement of that law, the proper role of Mosaic succession, and the ultimate authority of covenant mandate over human institutions." [Note: Merrill, Deuteronomy, p. 395.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 31:14-23

3. The commissioning of Joshua 31:14-23Whereas previously Moses had presented Joshua to the people (Deuteronomy 31:1-8), now God officially commissioned him to his new responsibility as Moses’ successor. He did this at the tabernacle, the appropriate place for this official ceremony.The bulk of this section concerns God’s revelation to Moses concerning Israel’s future apostasy (Deuteronomy 31:16-22). Hiding the Lord’s face (Deuteronomy 31:17-18; Deuteronomy 32:20) is the opposite of making His... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 31:1-30

Farewell Exhortations of Moses to the People and Joshua. He Delivers the Law to the Priests. The Assembling of the Congregation1. These words] i.e. the following words. 2. Go out and come in] i.e. perform the office of a leader: see on Numbers 27:17. 3. Jehovah is the real Leader of the hosts of Israel: Joshua is the human instrument: cp. Numbers 23:22.9. This law] i.e. the Deuteronomio law, especially that contained in Deuteronomy 12-26 : see intro. to Deuteronomy 12. 10. The Feast of... read more

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