Deuteronomy 31-32: Song of Moshe

Moshe (Moses) predicts Israel’s idolatry and apostasy. He also writes a song to remind Israel of what the LORD has done for them, what they did against Him, what happened to them as a result and how the LORD will reconcile them back to Himself.

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Food for thought from the discussion

How did Moshe support his successor? Moshe was the only leader most of the people of Israel had ever known, so how would the loss of him have made them feel?

How would you feel if one mistake totally changed your life? How did Moshe handle his disappointment?

Yehoshua (Joshua) and the people were told to “be strong and courageous.” Why was that important? How had Yehoshua shown his faith in the LORD before he became a leader of Israel?

What did Yehoshua’s enemies have? What kind of military battles did Yehoshua have? What kind of political battles did Yehoshua have to fight?

Every seven years, during the year of rest, the Law was supposed to read before the people (Deut. 31:10). What’s the difference between the release of slaves and the release of property? What “law” was supposed to be read at this time? Who was supposed to hear this Law being read? How is Deuteronomy unique among the first five books?

Why is the one-year and three-year cycle in typical synagogue Torah readings not sufficient implementation of this edict? Do you really learn everything in context when it’s broken up in passages over weeks and years?

What is the purpose of the Song of Moshe (Deuteronomy 32)? Why is it a song? Why is the Song of Moshe combined with the Song of the Lamb in the book of Revelation (Rev. 15:3)? What do heaven and earth witness in the Song of Moshe in Deuteronomy 32, and why are they witnesses?

Is God responsible for the bad things that happen?

What is the meaning of, “He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel” (Deut. 32:8)?

What does it mean when God hides His face? When did He start to hide His face from Israel? Why?

What were the last personal instructions to Moshe?

Reader: Hank. Teacher: Daniel.