Moses' last days

Deuteronomy chapter 31

Moses was now 120 years old and felt he could no longer lead the people of Israel. The Lord has told me, he said that I will not cross the Jordon River, but he himself will cross over ahead of you and destroy the nations living there so you may take possession of the land. Joshua is your new leader. The Lord will hand over to you the people who live in this new land and you will deal with them as I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them. The Lord who goes before you will neither fail or forsake you.

Then Moses called Joshua and as all of Israel watched, he told him to be strong and courageous and lead the people into the land that the Lord swore to give to the ancestors of the Israelites. Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests who carried the Ark of the Lord's Covenant and to the leaders of Israel: at the end of every seventh year, the Year of Release, during the Festival of Shelters, Moses said, you must read this law to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the Lord, in the place he chooses. Carefully obey all terms of this law so that your children who have not known these laws will hear them and learn to fear the Lord. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.

Then the Lord told Moses that it was time for him to die and to call Joshua and take him to the Tabernacle for commission by the Lord. So they went to the Tabernacle and the Lord appeared to them in a pillar of cloud. The Lord said , Moses you are about to die and join your ancestors. After you are gone these people will worship foreign gods, the gods of the land where they are going. They will abandon me and break the covenant I have made with them. Then my anger will blaze forth and I will abandon them, hiding my face from them and they will be destroyed. Terrible trouble and disasters will come down on them and they will know it is because God is no longer among them.

Now, said the Lord, write down the words of this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Teach them to sing it, so it may serve as a witness against them, for I will bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, where they will prosper and become well nourished. Then they will begin to worship other gods and despise me and break my covenant. Great disasters will come down on them and this song will stand as evidence against them, for it will never be forgotten by their descendants. And that very day, Moses wrote down the words of the song and taught it to the Israelites.

Then the Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun with the words "Be strong and courageous! You must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you."

When Moses was finished writing down the body of law in a book, he gave instructions to the Levites who carried the Ark. Take this Book, he said, and place it beside the Ark, so it may server as witness against the people of Israel.I know how rebellious and stubborn you are with me here. Even more after my death. Summon the leaders of the tribes so I can speak to them and call heaven and earth to witness against them. After my death, you will become corrupt and turn from the path I have commanded you to follow. In the days to come, disaster will come down on you, for you have made the Lord angry by doing what is evil in his sight. And Moses recited an entire song before the Israelites.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: There were no books, Bibles or newstands in those days, so everything needed to spread God's word was from word of mouth and an accurate memory. Memorizing was an important part of worship. For the Hebrews,the content and substance of God's word began in childhood.
There is a place for music in Christian education and in the building up of all believers. Some people memorize hymns, others play tapes in the car or at home. Music can be a creative way to teach your family, your church members.
Joshua was appointed to take over leadership of Israel. Remember Moses was not allowed into the promised land due to his disobedience in Numbers 20:12.Joshua had been Moses' assistant for many years. Finding courage to take care of three million people was a daunting task, no wonder he was asked to be courageous twice.

How does this chapter relate to us today? Education of our faith begins with children. Teachers are so important these days. I was happy to see that music was a great part of building up believers. Music is a strong ministry and one that gets overlooked by our church leaders at times. Go Joshua! Only a man with such enormous faith could fill the role!
Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
Health: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who weighed less than two lbs.
Spiritual Uplifting: Gail, Mary
Restoration of faith: Al, John
Support: Haiti, Chile, those cleaning up the gulf coast oil spill and those who lost their livelihood there. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.