Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Deuteronomy 31:24-29
Moses Charge To The Levites (Deuteronomy 31:24).
Here we have repeated that Moses wrote all the words of the covenant down in a book. Twofold repetition in Scripture is always for emphasis. But he then censured them harshly. It may well be that we are to see Deuteronomy 31:9 as referring to the writing of the first papyrus scroll or tablet, which was then handed over as described, and that then his meeting with Yahweh intervened, for it is quite clear that writing the full Instruction down would take some considerable time, especially if two copies were required, one for the Overlord and one for the subjects. That would explain why when he handed over the remainder, or possibly the second copy, having written it, his approach was so different. What Yahweh had revealed to him had clearly affected him deeply.
Analysis using the words of Moses:
a And it came about, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, saying (Deuteronomy 31:24).
b “Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, that it may be there for a witness against you” (Deuteronomy 31:26).
c “For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck (Deuteronomy 31:27 a).
c Behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against Yahweh, and how much more after my death?” (Deuteronomy 31:27 b).
b “Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them” (Deuteronomy 31:28).
a “For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you, and evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands” (Deuteronomy 31:29).
Note that in ‘a' the book of Instruction was written and finished and preparation made to put it beside the Ark, as a seal and guarantee of the covenant together with its blessings and cursings, and in the parallel he is aware that they will behave in such a way that they will bring on them the cursings in that book. In ‘b' they are to take the book of Instruction and put it beside the Ark of the Covenant of Yahweh that it might be a witness against them, and in the parallel heaven and earth is to be a witness against them also. In ‘c' he knows their rebellion and obstinacy, and in the parallel he points out that he has already witnessed their rebellion and expects them to be even more rebellious when he has gone.
‘ And it came about, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, saying,
When Moses had made an end of writing of ‘the words of this Instruction in a book' so that it was completely finished, he now gave his command to ‘the Levites who bore the Ark of the covenant of Yahweh'. This may indicate the priests, for they alone could bear the Ark of the covenant of Yahweh when it was uncovered. But as the command is only to put it down beside the Ark, it may be that he was speaking to the Levites who normally bore the Ark when it was covered (Numbers 4:15), so that next time they put the Ark down they placed the book beside it before the Tent was erected around it and it was uncovered by the priests.
“ Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your (of ye) God, that it may be there for a witness against you (thee).”
His strong words bring home the impact of what he had heard in the Tent. While it was not the first time he had heard such things, hearing it in the light of his approaching death and with such solemn certainty, had brought it home to him anew. So he charges them to take the book of Yahweh's Instruction, and put it beside the Ark. Inside the Ark were the tablets containing the original covenant. This book was to take its place beside it, possibly in the Holy of Holies, or possibly in the Holy Place next to the veil behind which would be the Ark in close proximity.
But it is his words which reveal his thoughts, ‘as a witness against you'. It may well be that they wondered what had happened to bring about this change in him in comparison to the last time (verse 9). But the import was clear. It would be a testimony against any in Israel who sinned, and against all Israel when all Israel sinned, and against them when they sinned.
“ For I know your (thy) rebellion, and your (thy) stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, you (ye) have been rebellious against Yahweh, and how much more after my death?”
He then told them quite bluntly that Israel whom they represented were rebellious and stiffnecked, and that his experience of them while he was still alive had convinced him that they would be even worse after his death. They were probably used to his speaking like this, possibly too used to it. They may even have agreed with him wholeheartedly, convinced that while it was not true of them it was certainly true of the others, for such is our ability to take the worst of accusations and apply it to other than ourselves.
“ Assemble to me all the elders of your (of ye) tribes, and your (of ye) officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them.”
He then commanded them to gather all the elders and administrative assistants of Israel so that he could tell them the same, and so that he could call heaven and earth to witness against them. He had previously called on heaven and earth to witness his offer to Israel of life and good or death and evil (Deuteronomy 30:19). Now it was to witness as to which they would choose.
Both he and the elders were aware that he was not necessarily speaking about them. He was speaking about them as the present representatives of the people who would do this. It was a public announcement about the future. He was warning about the consequences of unfaithfulness. The elders who were under Joshua, and those of them who outlived him would in fact prove faithful. It would be after that that the rot set in (Judges 2:7)
“ For I know that after my death you (ye) will utterly corrupt yourselves (ye), and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you (ye) in the latter days, because you (ye) will do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger through the work of your (of ye) hands.”
For as a result of being with Yahweh in the Tent he now knew afresh what Israel would prove to be like. That after his death they would corrupt themselves totally by turning aside from the way which he had commanded them to take. And he warned them that in later days evil would befall them because of the evil that they would do in the sight of Yahweh, provoking Him to anger by the work of their hands, including the idols that they made. And this is the context in which he now gave out the great song that he had written under Yahweh's guidance.
This command to Moses to write a song with the future in view is quite significant. It makes quite clear that it was God's intention ever to meet the people's need before it arose by raising up those who could ‘prophesy'. It makes us aware that we should therefore expect to see such continuing activity in the history of Israel.