March 9
Deuteronomy 30–31
Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 30:1–31:30
Series: Read the Bible in a Year
Because Moses is coming to the end of his life, he reminds the people of the importance of God’s covenant. He reminds them to walk with the Lord according to his Law, which they have repeatedly failed to do. Because of their failure, God must do it for them. He will circumcise their hearts, and the hearts of their children (Deuteronomy 30:6). Where we fail God, the Lord makes a way so that God may keep covenant. We will obey him because he makes it so, and because of his faithfulness we will live.
The acceptance of God’s grace brings life; the rejection brings death. Moses implores the people to “choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19) so that they may live — they and their offspring. Choosing life means holding fast to him (Deuteronomy 30:20) — even when we fail him in the wilderness, even when we do not keep the commandment. We must hold fast by continuing to believe — to choose life — despite our inability to always act accordingly. God’s will and ability to keep his covenant will eventually be clear in his Christ. God must keep the covenant through Christ alone, for our devotion and piety will always fail us.
Seeing that he is unable to travel further, Moses assures the people that God will cross over with them. After all, God has always been the real leader of his people. He urges them to be strong and courageous, and that this will be easy because God goes with them. He will not forsake them.
Moses writes a copy of the law and gives it to the Levitical priests, telling them to read it regularly to the people so that the coming generations learn to fear the Lord. Joshua, seemingly midway through Moses writing out the law, is appointed as the new leader of Israel. He too, is urged to be strong and very courageous. When Moses finishes writing the law, he gives it to the priests to place with the ark. Moses now prepares to sing.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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