Learn to Fear the Lord

Deuteronomy 31:1-30

Key Verse 31:13

Read verses 1-2 and think about the age and ability of a person who leads the flock of God. Is there any relationship between the two?

Read verses 3-6 and describe what the Lord will do and what the Israelites must do. The Lord God is almighty and there is nothing he cannot do all by himself. Why then did the Lord involve the Israelites in such a strenuous venture? What message(s) is there for us to learn?

Read verses 7-8. What is Joshua's mission? What do the following words (which Moses said to Joshua) indicate about the mission? What applications can we find in serving the Lord in our generation?  

Be strong; 

[Be] courageous;

The Lord himself will go before you;

[The Lord] will be with you;

He will never leave you nor forsake you;

Do not be afraid; and

Do not be discouraged.  

Read verses 9-13. What does "the ark of the Covenant of the Lord" stand for? (Think about what is in it, and how it is made.) What does "this law" mean? To whom did Moses entrust it? What should the trustees do with it? What is the purpose of the assembly? What can we learn from this passage about serving the Lord's purpose in our generation? 

Read verses 14-22. What are the contents of the song the Lord commanded Moses to write down? What should the Israelites do with it? Why did God give them this song? What wisdom is there for us in serving the emerging generations? 

Read verse 23 and compare the Lord's command to Joshua with what Moses said to Joshua in verses 7-8. What are the differences?

Read verses 24-29 and think about "this command" Moses gave to the Levites. What does Moses want to use as a "witness"? Against whom? Why does Moses want to do this?