God tells of the future apostasy and rebellion of the children of Israel. Even now, their heart is turning against Him. Yet, the Lord has Moses prepare witnesses of Himself that will remain even in the times of rebellion. He has Moses present the words of the law in a book to be kept in the side of the ark as a witness. He also has Moses write a song that will serve as a witness when they turn from the Lord.

What Does It Say?

1. When Israel turns to other gods, God’s anger shall be ____________ against them in that day and he will ___________ them.
2. They will turn to other gods, and serve them, and ___________ the Lord, and break His _______________.
3. Moses gave Joshua the son of Nun a ___________, and said, Be strong and of a good ___________.
4. Moses made an end of _____________ the words of this law in a __________.
5. Moses knew that after his death the children of Israel would ____________ themselves.

What Does It Mean?

1. God prophesied of a day when many evils and troubles would befall Israel, when they would say, “Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?” (v.17). What kind of things would be included in the evils that come on them? What good purpose or purposes could these evils have?
2. The book of the law was to be placed in the side of the Ark of the Covenant (v.26). What else was placed in the Ark of the Covenant? See Hebrews 9:4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
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3. God had Moses leave two witnesses for the people of Israel. See verses 19-21 and verse 26. What were the witnesses? Why do you think God chose these two items as witnesses? What do these two witnesses compare to for us today?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Moses was to write the song God gave him and teach it unto the children of Israel that it might be a witness for God against the children of Israel (v.19). In verse 21, God says of the song that “it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed.” Then, in verse 22, Moses wrote the song and taught it unto the children of Israel. We often fail to understand the great teaching ministry of songs. Yet, in the New Testament we are to be “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
   See All...). How are songs used to teach (especially consider its use with children)? How can we use the ministry of song to teach believers today? How are we losing this ministry?
2. We sometimes hear of someone who had a position of trust fall into some terrible sin. Perhaps we think of this person being suddenly brought into a place of temptation and falling without any warning. But this is almost never the case. God prophesied that Israel will soon follow false gods. But He adds, “for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware” (v.21). Moses adds in his warning to Israel, “behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?” (v.27). How does sin work in someone even when others do not see it? What are some of the signs that greater sin is just around the corner? How do we avoid falling into sin in this way?

Suggested Memory Verses

Deuteronomy 31:19Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
See All..., Deuteronomy 31:26Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
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