Deuteronomy 31:27 Study Bible: For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck: look, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

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◄ Deuteronomy 31:27 ►

For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!

Study Bible

For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are.
This phrase reflects Moses' intimate knowledge of the Israelites' character, gained through decades of leading them. The terms "rebellious" and "stiff-necked" are frequently used in the Old Testament to describe Israel's resistance to God's commands (Exodus 32:9, 33:3, 33:5). The imagery of being "stiff-necked" suggests an unwillingness to be guided, akin to an ox that refuses to be directed by a yoke. This characterization underscores the Israelites' frequent lapses into idolatry and disobedience, despite witnessing God's miracles and receiving His law.

If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive,
Moses points out the current state of rebellion among the Israelites, even during his leadership. This highlights the persistent nature of their disobedience, which was evident in events like the golden calf incident (Exodus 32) and the refusal to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14). Moses' presence and leadership served as a restraining influence, emphasizing the importance of godly leadership in maintaining faithfulness to God.

how much more will you rebel after my death!
Moses anticipates an increase in rebellion after his death, a prophetic insight that aligns with the subsequent history of Israel. After Moses' passing, the Israelites often turned away from God, as seen in the period of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). This foreshadows the need for a perfect leader, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who provides the ultimate guidance and redemption for humanity. Moses' concern also underscores the importance of internalizing God's law and maintaining a personal relationship with Him, rather than relying solely on human leaders.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, delivering his final words and warnings to the people before his death.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, known for their frequent disobedience and rebellion against God's commands.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who has been guiding and providing for the Israelites throughout their journey.

4. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter under Joshua's leadership.

5. Rebellion
The persistent disobedience and resistance of the Israelites against God's authority and commandments.

Teaching Points

Understanding Rebellion
Recognize that rebellion against God is a serious issue that stems from a hardened heart and a refusal to submit to His authority.

The Nature of Humanity
Acknowledge the inherent sinful nature of humanity, which often leads to disobedience and rebellion against God.

The Importance of Leadership
Consider the role of godly leadership in guiding and correcting God's people, as seen in Moses' life.

The Need for Vigilance
Be vigilant in your faith, understanding that rebellion can occur even after experiencing God's blessings and guidance.

The Call to Obedience
Embrace a life of obedience to God, recognizing that true freedom and blessing come from following His commands.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Moses' warning in Deuteronomy 31:27 reflect the overall relationship between the Israelites and God throughout their history?

2. In what ways can we see the tendency to be "stiff-necked" in our own lives, and how can we combat this tendency?

3. How does the concept of rebellion in Deuteronomy 31:27 connect with the New Testament teachings on obedience and submission to God?

4. What role does leadership play in preventing rebellion within a community of believers, and how can we support our leaders in this task?

5. How can we apply the lessons from the Israelites' history of rebellion to our personal walk with God today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 32
The incident of the golden calf, illustrating the Israelites' tendency to rebel against God.

Numbers 14
The rebellion at Kadesh Barnea, where the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land.

Psalm 78
A recounting of Israel's history of rebellion and God's faithfulness.

Acts 7
Stephen's speech, which references the Israelites' stiff-necked nature.

Hebrews 3
A warning against hardening hearts, drawing from the Israelites' example.

Sermons

Stiff Necks	Charles Leach.	Deuteronomy 31:27
The Written Word	J. Orr	Deuteronomy 31:9, 24-27
The Honor Appertaining to God's Law	D. Davies	Deuteronomy 31:9-13, 24-29
The Last Precaution Against Idolatry	D. Davies	Deuteronomy 31:16-22, 29
God's Foresight of Israel's Declension	J. Orr	Deuteronomy 31:16-22, 28-30
Farewell Song of Moses	A. H. Drysdale, M. A.	Deuteronomy 31:22-30
The Dying Song of Moses	J. M. Gibson, D. D.	Deuteronomy 31:22-30
The Farewell Ode	W. M. Taylor, D. D.	Deuteronomy 31:22-30
The Last Song	J. Parker, D. D.	Deuteronomy 31:22-30
The Divine Testimony Deposited in the Ark	R.M. Edgar	Deuteronomy 31:24-30

People

Amorites, Israelites, Joshua, Levi, Levites, Moses, Nun, Og, Sihon

Places

Jordan River, Moab

Topics

Alive, Behold, Death, Die, Hearts, Less, Neck, Rebel, Rebellion, Rebellious, Ruled, Stiff, Stiff-necked, Stubborn, Stubbornness, Surely, To-day, Uncontrolled, Yet

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Deuteronomy 31:27

5170 neck
6223 rebellion, of Israel

Deuteronomy 31:24-27

8764 forgetting God

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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