Deuteronomy 31: It’s not going to go well

Synopsis:

Moses tells everyone they are about to go over. Be strong and bold, God is with you. He hands the reins over to Joshua in front of the entire congregation He reminds everyone about the commandments and the jubilee every 7 years. God then descends on the tabernacle and speaks to Moses. Your time is done. The children will disobey and I will have to smite them. So write a song and teach it to the children so they will remember why they are suffering and that they brought this upon themselves. Moses then tells the congregation, he knows they will be evil and teaches them the song.

In other words:

God tells Moses that the congregation will turn against him and he will have to smite them, so teach them this song to remind them why I am going to be forced to smite them.

Favorite bit:

Deuteronomy 31:19 – now therefore write ye this song for you and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this son may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. (I like that they are taught essentially a guilt song)

Least favorite bit:

Deuteronomy 31:19 – basically, God has set up rules that he knows everyone is going to break. This is a hopeless cause and He knows it. Yet He persists and comes up with a snappy little song to make sure everyone feels guilt about disobeying Him forever.  Seriously – this God is a sick and abusive father figure of a god.

The only bit I really enjoyed: 

Deuteronomy 31:7 – Moses gives the reins over to Joshua in a public ceremony. (It’s quite nice really.)

Moral Lesson Learned:

Sometimes it’s not worth the effort. Learn when to let things go (Deuteronomy 31)