Deuteronomy 31:24-29

B. THE PRESERVATION OF THE BOOK (Deuteronomy 31:24-29)

24 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying, 26 Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. 27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against Jehovah; and how much more after my death? 28 Assemble unto 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. 29 For I know that after my death ye 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 ye will do that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:24-29

548.

What is included in this law of Deuteronomy 31:24?

549.

What is in the ark? Was there a receptacle along side of the ark?

550.

Wouldn-'t the strong words of Deuteronomy 31:29 offend the elders? Discuss.

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:24-29

24 And when Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end,
25 He commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord,
26 Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against you.
27 For I know your rebellion and stubbornness; behold, while I am yet alive with you, today you have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death!
28 Gather 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.
29 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 what is evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.

COMMENT 31:24-29

It will be noticed that we have here

1.

The words of the law finished (Deuteronomy 31:24)

2.

The words of the law preserved (Deuteronomy 31:25-26)

3.

The words of the law as a witness to Israel (Deuteronomy 31:27-29)

MOSES. MADE AN END OF WRITING THE WORDS OF THE LAW IN A BOOK (Deuteronomy 31:24)See also Deuteronomy 31:9. Whether this passage refers to more than Deuteronomy has been long debated. (Compare our discussion under Deuteronomy 27:3). But it is well to notice there is no limiting of the size of the book; nor are we told if other materials were included in it. The phrasing of Deuteronomy 31:24-25 would lead us to believe all of Deuteronomy, at least, was included in Moses-' book. Very likely more is meant:

The -book-' here spoken of would contain the whole of the Pentateuch up to this verse, and be -the book of Moses,-' called generally by the Jews -the Law-' (Cp. St. Matthew 22:40; Galatians 4:21). (F. C. Cook)

By comparing Deuteronomy 31:9 it appears two copies were made, J. F. B., commenting on Deuteronomy 31:9-13 as well as Deuteronomy 31:26, states.

It was usual in cases of public or private contract for two copies of the engagement to be madeone to be deposited in the national archives, or some secure place for reference, should occasion require; the other to remain in the hands of the contracting parties (Jeremiah 32:12-14). The same course was followed on this renewal of the covenant between God and Israel. Two written copies were prepared, the one of which was delivered to the public representatives of Israel, viz., the priests and the elders.. The second copy of the law. was deposited for greater security and reference in a little chest beside the ark of the covenant.

THE LEVITES THAT BARE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (Deuteronomy 31:25)As in Deuteronomy 31:9, the priests the sons of Levi, that bare the ark. According to Numbers 4:4ff. this was the job of the Kohathites, who, though of the priestly tribe, were not priests. It was they who carried the ark on their journey through the wilderness. But it was only the priests who could touch the ark, and the Kohathites carried the ark only after it was carefully wrapped and prepared by the priests. On special occasions, however, the priests themselves did carry the ark: Joshua 3:3; Joshua 4:9-10; Joshua 6:6; Joshua 6:12; Joshua 8:33, 1 Kings 8:3.