Moses' view of his people, judging by the words of the Book of Deuteronomy, is rather pessimistic. He has no doubt that sooner or later apostasy will become a fact...
Moses' view of his people, judging by the words of the Book of Deuteronomy, is rather pessimistic. He has no doubt that sooner or later apostasy will become a fact of national life. He says this directly to his successor Joshua and composes a special song of reminder for future generations.
One can, of course, think that this whole impressive scene is only a literary reworking of an ancient tradition. But even if that is so, its meaning makes one stop and think, since the vividness of the description changes nothing in substance. The saddest thing is that Moses turned out to be right. What looks like pessimism in fact turned out to be realism, and the reality turned out to be sad.
Why is this so? After all, the people had traveled a path that would seem to have taught them something. The simplest explanation would be the well-known saying about history, that it teaches only that it teaches no one anything. But such an explanation would be only a statement of fact, not an explanation. The question asked becomes all the more important considering that we are speaking not simply about one people among the many on earth, but about the people of God. A people with whom God works in a special way, giving them more attention than any other people. Why, then, are the lessons not learned? The main problem here is that the fallen human being, whether separately or as part of a people, skims over the surface of events in his life, usually not recognizing the spiritual depth that stands behind them.
The cause of any event always lies in the spiritual sphere, where the wills of different people act and interact with one another, and sometimes also the will of God, if God considers it necessary to become actively involved in what is happening and not simply watch from the side. Meanwhile, the fallen human being usually sees only a chain of events, including his own collective or individual spiritual failures, which he connects with anything at all except his own condition. When something happens in our life, it always seems to us that the event itself already makes us different, while in reality we remain the same until we become aware of what has happened to us, including its spiritual causes.
This is true both for an individual person and for an entire people. Meanwhile, fallen humanity has always had problems with awareness, and the people of God are no exception. That is why the most pessimistic forecasts come true: in the fallen world they are the most probable. For them to be fulfilled, nothing has to be done; it is enough simply to do nothing. Understanding this perfectly, Moses tells Joshua that his ministry will not be easy, although the people will receive the land promised by God.
31 Moses encourages the people and Joshua, Deu 31:1-8, Deu 31:23
Delivers to the priests the law, to be read every seventh year, Deu 31:9-13.
God informs Moses of his approaching death, and the future apostasy of Israel, Deu 31:14-18.
Orders him to write a song, which should be a testimony against them, Deu 31:19-22.
Moses gives the law to the Levites to lay up beside the ark, and bids them assemble the people to hear his song, Deu 31:24-30.