Joshua Commissioned by The Lord
March 10, 2022
Commentary
God instructed Moses to meet Him at the tabernacle and to bring Joshua, his successor with him. Speaking from the glory cloud, the Lord told the two men that Israel would turn from the true and living God and worship idols, and that He would turn away from them and send the judgment named in the covenant (Deut. 28). At this time when the Children of Israel are ready to enter the Promised Land, you would think that God would not take them in if there was a chance of their falling. Yet He tells Moses this is exactly what will happen (vv. 14-16). God knows human nature. He knows our every thought and intent.
The Lord commands Moses and Joshua to write a song and teach it to the children of Israel (vv. 19-30). By singing it they would be warned against idolatry and would also acknowledge their obligation to obey the Lord. This song would warn the new generation and generations to come against the perils of idolatry and the tragic consequences of apostasy. It would also remind them of the goodness and mercy of the Lord. After Moses and Joshua wrote down the song (v. 19), they taught it to the leaders (v. 28) and to all the congregation (v. 30). Moses prefaced the song with the reminder that after his death, they would abandon the Lord and invite the chastening of the Lord.
Moses knew that the Israelites, despite all they had seen of God’s work, were rebellious at heart (vv. 27-29). They deserved God’s judgment, although they often received His mercy instead. We too are stubborn and rebellious by nature. Throughout our lives we struggle with sin. We must constantly turn from our sins to God and let Him in His mercy cover them with His blood.
Application
The fact that God used music to communicate His message shows the importance of it. If it was important for Israel in their day, it stands to reason that it is an effective tool in the church today.
Deuteronomy 31:14– 30 (NET)
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The day of your death is near. Summon Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting so that I can commission him.” So Moses and Joshua presented themselves in the tent of meeting. 15 The Lord appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud that stood above the door of the tent. 16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “You are about to die, and then these people will begin to prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land into which they are going. They will reject me and break my covenant that I have made with them. 17 At that time my anger will erupt against them, and I will abandon them and hide my face from them until they are devoured. Many disasters and distresses will overcome them so that they will say at that time, ‘Have not these disasters overcome us because our God is not among us ?’ 18 But I will certainly hide myself at that time because of all the wickedness they will have done by turning to other gods. 19 Now write down for yourselves the following song and teach it to the Israelites. Put it into their very mouths so that this song may serve as my witness against the Israelites! 20 For after I have brought them to the land I promised to their ancestors—one flowing with milk and honey—and they eat their fill and become fat, then they will turn to other gods and worship them; they will reject me and break my covenant. 21 Then when many disasters and distresses overcome them this song will testify against them, for their descendants will not forget it. I know the intentions they have in mind today, even before I bring them to the land I have promised.” 22 So on that day Moses wrote down this song and taught it to the Israelites, 23 and the Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun, “Be strong and courageous, for you will take the Israelites to the land I have promised them, and I will be with you.”
24 When Moses finished writing on a scroll the words of this law in their entirety, 25 he commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the Lord’s covenant, 26 “Take this scroll of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. It will remain there as a witness against you, 27 for I know about your rebellion and stubbornness. Indeed, even while I have been living among you to this very day, you have rebelled against the Lord; you will be even more rebellious after my death! 28 Gather to me all your tribal elders and officials so I can speak to them directly about these things and call the heavens and the earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after I die you will totally corrupt yourselves and turn away from the path I have commanded you to walk. Disaster will confront you in future days because you will act wickedly before the Lord, inciting him to anger because of your actions.” 30 Then Moses recited the words of this song from start to finish in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel: