Deuteronomy 31:21
And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them."
And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them,
This phrase anticipates the future disobedience of the Israelites and the resulting consequences. Historically, Israel faced numerous challenges, including invasions and exiles, as a result of turning away from God. This reflects the covenantal relationship where blessings follow obedience and curses follow disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). The troubles serve as a divine discipline intended to bring the people back to God.

this song will testify against them,
The "song" refers to the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32, which serves as a witness to the covenant between God and Israel. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, songs and oral traditions were vital for preserving history and legal agreements. This song acts as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the people's obligations, serving as a prophetic warning and a call to repentance.

because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants.
The enduring nature of the song underscores the importance of oral tradition in Israelite culture. Despite future generations' potential unfaithfulness, the song remains a constant reminder of their identity and covenant with God. This reflects the biblical emphasis on teaching and remembering God's laws (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

For I know their inclination,
God's omniscience is highlighted here, as He understands the human heart and its tendency towards sin (Jeremiah 17:9). This foreknowledge does not negate human responsibility but rather emphasizes God's grace and patience. It also points to the need for a new heart, a theme later developed in the prophets (Ezekiel 36:26).

even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.”
This refers to the Promised Land, a central theme in the Pentateuch, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The land is both a gift and a responsibility, requiring the Israelites to live according to God's laws. This foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who offers a spiritual inheritance to believers (Hebrews 4:8-10).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's message to the people. He is preparing them for his departure and the transition of leadership to Joshua.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are about to enter the Promised Land. They are the recipients of the warnings and instructions given by Moses.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God swore to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It represents God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.

4. The Song of Moses
A prophetic song given by God to Moses to teach the Israelites. It serves as a witness against them when they turn away from God.

5. God
The sovereign Lord who knows the hearts of His people and foresees their future disobedience. He provides the song as a means of reminding them of His covenant and their responsibilities.
Teaching Points
The Power of Remembrance
The song serves as a tool for remembrance, reminding the Israelites of God's laws and their covenant with Him. We should also use Scripture to remind ourselves of God's promises and our commitments.

God's Omniscience
God knows the hearts and future actions of His people. We should live with the awareness that nothing is hidden from God, and strive to align our actions with His will.

The Role of Warnings
Just as the song warns the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience, we should heed the warnings in Scripture to avoid spiritual pitfalls.

Generational Faithfulness
The song is meant to be remembered by future generations. We have a responsibility to pass down our faith and the truths of Scripture to the next generation.

The Certainty of God's Promises
Despite knowing the Israelites' future disobedience, God remains faithful to His promise of the land. We can trust in God's faithfulness even when we falter.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the Song of Moses function as a witness against the Israelites, and what can we learn from this about the role of Scripture in our lives?

2. In what ways does God's foreknowledge of the Israelites' actions impact your understanding of His character and His relationship with His people?

3. How can we ensure that the truths of Scripture are not forgotten by future generations in our own families and communities?

4. What are some modern "songs" or reminders that we can use to keep God's commandments and promises at the forefront of our minds?

5. How do the warnings in Deuteronomy 31:21 relate to the broader biblical account of sin and redemption, and how can this understanding shape our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 15
The Song of Moses after the crossing of the Red Sea, which celebrates God's deliverance and serves as a reminder of His power and faithfulness.

Psalm 78
A historical psalm that recounts Israel's repeated disobedience and God's enduring patience and mercy.

Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart, similar to how the song in Deuteronomy serves as a witness to the Israelites' hearts.

Romans 3:23
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, reflecting the inherent tendency of the Israelites to stray from God's commands.
JoshuaJ. Orr Deuteronomy 31:3-8, 23
The Authorship of the BookJ. Orr Deuteronomy 31:9, 24-26
The Written WordJ. Orr Deuteronomy 31:9, 24-27
The Honor Appertaining to God's LawD. Davies Deuteronomy 31:9-13, 24-29
The Lord's Charge to Moses and JoshuaR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 31:14-23
The Official Investiture of JoshuaD. Davies Deuteronomy 31:14, 15, 23
The Last Precaution Against IdolatryD. Davies Deuteronomy 31:16-22, 29
God's Foresight of Israel's DeclensionJ. Orr Deuteronomy 31:16-22, 28-30
People
Amorites, Israelites, Joshua, Levi, Levites, Moses, Nun, Og, Sihon
Places
Jordan River, Moab
Topics
Already, Befallen, Bring, Clear, Confront, Descendants, Developing, Difficulties, Disposed, Distresses, Evils, Face, Forgotten, Form, Forming, Frame, Hearts, Imagination, Imagining, Intent, Lips, Meet, Memories, Mouth, Mouths, Moving, Oath, Overtaken, Pass, Promised, Purposes, Seed, Song, Sware, Swore, Sworn, Testified, Testify, Thoughts, To-day, Troubles, Unforgotten, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 31:21

     1020   God, all-knowing
     6186   evil scheming
     9130   future, the

Deuteronomy 31:20-21

     5477   property, land

Library
Pilgrim Song
Gerhard Ter Steegen Deut. xxxi. 8 On, O beloved children, The evening is at hand, And desolate and fearful The solitary land. Take heart! the rest eternal Awaits our weary feet; From strength to strength press onwards, The end, how passing sweet! Lo, we can tread rejoicing The narrow pilgrim road; We know the voice that calls us, We know our faithful God. Come, children, on to glory! With every face set fast Towards the golden towers Where we shall rest at last. It was with voice of singing We
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

First Sunday in Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 6, 1-10. 1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain 2 (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, and in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): 3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities,
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
Hence, let us learn, my brethren, the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopia of Scripture,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863

Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
^A Matt. IV. 23-25; ^B Mark I. 35-39; ^C Luke IV. 42-44. ^b 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up went out [i. e., from the house of Simon Peter], and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. [Though Palestine was densely populated, its people were all gathered into towns, so that it was usually easy to find solitude outside the city limits. A ravine near Capernaum, called the Vale of Doves, would afford such solitude. Jesus taught (Matt. vi. 6) and practiced solitary
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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