Deuteronomy 32-34 Commentary

March 10 Reading: Deuteronomy 32-34 Commentary

Below is our Deuteronomy 32-34 commentary from our Beginning to End Bible reading program. You can find an email link at the end of this page to share your thoughts or comments with us.

Key Verse(s):

“But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” (Deut. 34:10-12)

Deuteronomy 32 – Moses Writes a Song

When Moses appointed Joshua the next leader in Deut. 31, they both appeared before the Lord at the tabernacle of meeting (v. 14). God showed up then (v. 15) and told Moses he was about to die (vv. 16-19). But before that happened, God told Moses to do something interesting. He instructed Moses to write a song (v. 19).

What was the point of this song? Moses knew the people’s tendency to forsake the Lord. In fact, he knew it would get worse once he was gone, saying:

“If today, while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord, then how much more after my death?” (Deut. 21:27).

This song served as a reminder to follow the Lord. It would “testify against them as a witness” (v. 21) against their disobedience. The words of the song are recorded in Deut. 32.

Deuteronomy 33 – A Final Blessing

Before he goes to Mt. Nebo to die (Deut. 32:49), Moses blesses the people one more time. This “man of God” (v. 1) offers a blessing (or a forecast) for each tribe.

The shortest blessings go to Reuben (v. 6) and Dan (v. 22). The longest are ascribed to Levi (vv. 8-11) and Joseph (vv. 13-17). Each of these had played major roles in the salvation of Israel (in the case of Joseph himself in Egypt) and the spiritual guidance of Israel (in the case of Levites).

It is also worth noting that Moses prayed that Judah would be granted success in battle (v. 7). They were by far the largest tribe, so would have more at stake in military matters. This leadership role would ultimately produce a line of kings (starting with David – I Sam. 16) from which would come Jesus, the Messiah (see Matt. 1).

Moses concludes his role as leader with these final words to all the people:

Deuteronomy 34 – Moses’ Epitaph

What do you want people to say about you when you die? What do you want your legacy to be? Will people remember you with kind words and affection or not?

If we are honest, all of us want people to think highly of us after we are gone. In the final chapter of Deuteronomy, we get that from the life of Moses. He was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of his sin against God in Numbers 20. But before he died, God allowed him to see all the new land from the top of a Mount Nebo (vv. 1-4).

Once he’d seen the land, Moses died. God “buried him in a valley in the land of Moab…but no one knows his grave to this day” (v. 6). He was 120 years old when he died and still had strength in his eyes and limbs (v. 7). His passing caused great sadness to break out over the camp as the people wept 30 days for him (v. 8).

Moses wouldn’t lead the people in. That task was left to Joshua, on whom rested the spirit of God (v. 9).

A Legacy For the Ages

Moses’ legacy would live on after his death. Of course, he’d taught the people all the words of the Lord. But more importantly, he’d shown them what a relationship with God looked like.

He wasn’t perfect by any means. But what the Bible tells us as about Moses at the conclusion of Deuteronomy, gives us a great insight into the importance of his life: 

“But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” (Deut. 34:10-12)

If you had to rank Bible characters in order of importance to their role in God’s greater plan, Moses has to be near the top of the list. He was a true servant of God. May we all aspire to be the same. 

Questions to Consider:

The only thing you can take with you is what you’ve given away. Leave a godly legacy by impacting the lives of those around you.

Moses left one of the most enduring legacies of anyone in the Bible. He challenged authority by confronting Pharaoh, poured into Joshua as the next leader, gave his heart and soul to the people, and yet was humble through it all. What legacy will you leave behind? Are you doing something now to shape that legacy into a reality?

What other points would you want to know about in our Deuteronomy 32-34 commentary? Email us here with questions or comments.