Deuteronomy 31-33 Moses’ End and Joshua’s Beginning

Thoughts

Deuteronomy 31

Moses announces he is 120 years old and will not be crossing the Jordan. He reassures the people that God Himself will go before them, and Joshua will lead them.

They are told to “Be strong and courageous” 3x!

Moses writes down the law and gives it to the priests and elders. Every seven years during the Festival of Tabernacles, they are to read it aloud so everyone

Joshua is then commissioned to lead Israel.

God tells Moses and Joshua that Israel will eventually go back to idolatry.

God has Moses write a song (chapter 32) to remind them of God’s faithfulness when they turn away.

Once Moses finishes writing the law, it’s placed beside the Ark of the Covenant. He tells the Levites and the people that he knows they will rebel after his death. 

Deuteronomy 32 Moses’ Song

A call to attention (vs 1-2): Moses summons heaven and earth to hear his words. His teaching is like refreshing rain

Praise to God (vs 3-4): God is our Rock and He is Perfection.

Israel’s Corruption (vs 5-6): Israel acts foolish despite God’s provision

God’s Faithfulness (vs 7-14): God gave them nations, food, and guidance.

Israel Rebels (vs 15-18): Israel turned to idols and abandoned God

• Jeshurun (Hebrew: יְשֻׁרוּן, Yeshurun) is a poetic name for Israel which means the upright one

God Responds (vs 15-27): God allows disaster to fall upon them, but not fully destroy them.

A Warning (vs 28-33): Israel lacks wisdom and does not see God’s provision.

Vindication (vs 34-42): God will avenge, judge His people, and show compassion

Closing (vs 43): Rejoice and worship our God

Moses recites this song and tells the people to keep it in their heart.

God tells Moses to ascend Mount Nebo and view the Promised Land before dying

Deuteronomy 33 Final Blessing

Note: Simeon is not mentioned

Tribe	Verses	Key Blessing
Reuben	6	Survival and continued existence.
Judah	7	Strength and help in battle; leadership.
Levi	8–11	Blessing for the priesthood, teaching, and faithfulness.
Benjamin	12	Beloved of the Lord, protected and secure.
Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh)	13–17	Abundant land and strength, like a wild ox.
Zebulun & Issachar	18–19	Joy in prosperity, trade, and worship.
Gad	20–21	Warrior tribe with leadership and justice.
Dan	22	Compared to a lion’s cub: small but fierce.
Naphtali	23	Full of favor and blessing by the sea.
Asher	24–25	Blessed with favor, strength, and abundance.

Moses ends with a doxology celebrating God and His attributes.

Questions

What is the Law Moses writes here? The Torah or just Deuteronomy?

Was Moses done writing at chapter 31? Did Joshua write the rest?

Why did Simeon get rejected?

Application

Trust God and be on guard. Even the nation that saw God’s presence (as much as they could) and heard His voice STILL fell into idolatry and sin. In present day, we have the Holy Spirit, but it is a little less tangible than smoke or fire. We need to actively trust God and be grounded in His Word. However, we are human and we will fail. God grants His children mercy over and over again. Hopefully, we’ll respond to that grace with self-discipline and a desire to walk closely with Him, not out of fear, but out of love and gratitude.