提要
從本章開始，摩西對他生命的最後階段作一個簡短的結論。他對以色列人的正式演說已經結束，現在他是以較親切的口吻說話。摩西已一百二十歲，但精神、體力仍然強壯（34：7）。他說：「我不能照常出入」（2節）的意思是，他不能再擔任以色列人的領袖，因為上帝不讓他過約但河（參民20：12）。
摩西即將與以色列人訣別，所以他想鼓勵他們，向他們保證上帝仍會與他們同在，在他們前面行，領他們進迦南地。摩西交付他們三項命令，首先是指示以色列百姓（1~6節），然後是約書亞（7~8節），最後是對祭司的託付（9~13節）。在每一項命令中，他都表達了對上帝之約的關切。摩西勸誡以色列民不要懼怕，只要勇敢、大膽的進迦南，因為上帝會使他們得勝。的確，只有當上帝的能力在人的生命裡運行，人才能過得勝的生活，我們也有上帝的應許說：「我必不撇下你，也不丟棄你」（6節；參來13：5）。
在本章裡，我們看見領導權正式從摩西轉移給約書亞。上帝認可這項轉移，也呼召二人到會幕來聽祂的話，並觀看祂的榮耀（14、23節；1：38；3：28；民27：18~23）。摩西在眾人面前勸勉約書亞要勇敢，因為約書亞將負責帶領以色列人進入應許之地。當上帝呼召一個人去做一份工作，祂一定會與他同在，並賜給他所需的資源。上帝賜給約書亞勇氣和力量，但最重要的還是上帝的同在，如此才能保證他們得勝。
接著摩西還有一件重要的工作，就是要將律法書交給祭司。這象徵著祭司的責任是要教導並指引以色列民遵行上帝之道。摩西所寫的律法要被放在至聖所裡（26節），每逢豁免年的住棚節時，誦讀律法是過節的重頭戲（10~11節），但住棚節並非誦讀律法的唯一時刻，以色列人乃是要不斷默想上帝的律法，並教導他們的兒女，使他們不致落入試探。今天，一個人要保持堅定的信心，讀上帝的話仍是最重要無比的方法。
不過，以色列人並沒有保持堅強的信心；有先見之明的上帝告訴摩西和約書亞，以色列人會行邪淫、拜偶像、離棄上帝，違背與上帝所立的約（16節）。不可避免的，上帝的怒氣也會臨到以色列身上。上帝會因以色列的罪而離棄他們，但祂並非沒有事先警告他們。上帝吩咐摩西寫一首見證的歌教導以色列人，讓他們代代相傳，好幫助以色列人記得祂的警告，並瞭解，他們遭遇的一切麻煩都是因為違背上帝之約所當得的報應。上帝選擇用一首歌來教導人，可見音樂的力量之大，其傳達的信息對人有很大的影響。我們必須小心選擇唱和聽的歌，因為歌詞所含信息會影響我們的思想。讓我們只唱和聽那些榮耀上帝的歌。
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Overview
From this point on, Moses gives a brief summary of the final stages of his life. He has finished his formal lectures to Israel, and now he speaks more personally. He is one hundred and twenty years old and yet still mentally and physically strong (34:7). When he says, “I can no longer go out and come in” (v.2), he means he can no longer be Israel’s active leader because the Lord had forbidden him to cross over the Jordan (cf. Num.20:12).
Soon Moses would no longer be with Israel, so he wanted to encourage them and assure them God would still be among them and go before them into Canaan. He gave three charges, first to the people (vv.1-6), then to Joshua (vv.7-8), and finally to the priests (vv.9-13). In each charge he expressed a concern for the keeping of the covenant. In each charge he expressed a concern for the keeping of the covenant. He exhorted the people not to fear but to be brave and boldly enter Canaan, for God would give them the victory. Indeed, a victorious life can come only when the power of God is at work in one’s life; then we are promised, “He will not leave you nor forsake you: (v.6; cf. Heb.13:5).
In this chapter, we see the transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua brought to fulfillment. This transfer was sanctioned by God who called both of them into the Tabernacle to hear His words and see a revelation of Himself (v.14, 23; 1:28; 3:28; Num.27:18-23). Moses challenged Joshua publicly with an exhortation to courage, for he would be responsible to lead Israel into the Promised Land. When God calls someone to do a task, He will be with him and give him the qualities he needs. God gave Joshua the courage and strength he needed, but most importantly He gave His presence so that victory would be assured.
The next and most important thing for Moses to do was to hand over the torah (the written Law) to the priesthood. This symbolized the responsibility of the priesthood to teach and instruct Israel in the ways of the Lord. The Word of God was to be honored and respected. The Law Moses wrote was to be put into the Most Holy Place (v.26) and read every seventh year of release as an important part of the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated at the central sanctuary (vv.10-11). But, this was not the only time it was to be read. They were to meditate constantly on the Law and teach it to their children so they would not fall into temptation. The reading of God’s Word is just as important today for keeping one strong in the faith.
Israel’s faith did not t\remain strong, however, and with His foreknowledge, God told Moses and Joshua that Israel would “play the harlot” in turning to idol worship and they would forsake Him and break His covenant (v.16). The inevitable consequence would be the wrath of God upon Israel. In their sin He would forsake them, but not without warning. God ordered Moses to write and teach the Song of Witness so it would be passed down from generation to generation and would help Israel remember the warnings and understand that their troubles were justly deserved for breaking God’s covenant. The fact that God would choose to use a song shows the power of music as a means to communicate a message and have an effect on people. We must take care to be selective in the kind of songs we sing and listen to, for the messages they contain can affect our thoughts. Let us only sing and listen to those songs, which bring glory to God.
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