NOTES for Deu 31:1-30

Moses' final instructions to Joshua and the Israelites bring an entire era in the history of the Old Testament Church to a close. For Israel, “adult life” is beginning. God will not abandon His people, but the people themselves can now freely fall away from God. Sooner or later, such a period comes in every person's life: a time to make decisions independently, to choose between faith and unbelief. It is a time of personal, responsible relationship with God. The Lord warns the Israelites that difficult times lie ahead: a struggle for their faith, a struggle against external paganism and their own unfaithfulness. On the threshold of this time, it is very important not to fear the difficulties ahead or one's own weakness and instability in faith. This fear is overcome only by complete trust in God, by faith that He is near, that He will never abandon us and will always sustain us.