Deuteronomy 31:21 is a prophecy from God to Moses concerning the future of the Israelites. Let's break it down:
"It will happen, when many evils and troubles have come on them...": This predicts that the Israelites will face hardship, suffering, and difficult times. This is likely a consequence of disobedience to God's laws.
"...that this song will testify before them as a witness...": "This song" refers to the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32), which is a poetic summary of God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated failures. It serves as a witness against them. A witness is something that provides evidence or confirmation. In this case, the song will remind them of the covenant they made with God and how they broke it. The song will be a constant reminder of their actions.
"...for it will not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants...": God promises that the Song of Moses will be preserved and passed down through generations. Even in times of trouble, the song will continue to be sung and remembered.
"...for I know their ways and what they are doing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.": God's omniscience (knowing everything) is emphasized. He knows their future actions and disobedience even before they enter the Promised Land. This emphasizes that their future troubles are not a surprise to God. He knows their inherent tendencies and weaknesses. He is not punishing blindly, but rather reacting to their predetermined actions. It also foreshadows the consequences of their disobedience.
In summary, the verse means:
God knows that the Israelites will eventually turn away from Him and suffer as a result. The Song of Moses will serve as a constant reminder and a witness against them, reminding them of their covenant with God and their failure to uphold it. Despite their unfaithfulness, God ensures that the song will be passed down through generations. God's knowing their future actions ahead of time underscores the fact that their suffering is a consequence of their own choices, not arbitrary punishment from God.
Key Takeaways:
Warning and Prophecy: It's a prophecy and a warning about the Israelites' future disobedience.
God's Foreknowledge: It highlights God's omniscience and His knowledge of their future actions.
The Song as a Witness: It emphasizes the importance of the Song of Moses as a reminder and a witness against them.
Consequences of Disobedience: It implicitly connects disobedience to suffering and hardship.
The verse ultimately serves as a reminder of the consequences of breaking covenant with God, while also highlighting God's faithfulness in providing a means of remembrance and potential repentance through the Song of Moses. It is also a testament to God's sovereignty, knowing the end from the beginning.
Deuteronomy 31:21 is a prophecy from God to Moses concerning the future of the Israelites. Let's break it down:
"It will happen, when many evils and troubles have come on them...": This predicts that the Israelites will face hardship, suffering, and difficult times. This is likely a consequence of disobedience to God's laws.
"...that this song will testify before them as a witness...": "This song" refers to the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32), which is a poetic summary of God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated failures. It serves as a witness against them. A witness is something that provides evidence or confirmation. In this case, the song will remind them of the covenant they made with God and how they broke it. The song will be a constant reminder of their actions.
"...for it will not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants...": God promises that the Song of Moses will be preserved and passed down through generations. Even in times of trouble, the song will continue to be sung and remembered.
"...for I know their ways and what they are doing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.": God's omniscience (knowing everything) is emphasized. He knows their future actions and disobedience even before they enter the Promised Land. This emphasizes that their future troubles are not a surprise to God. He knows their inherent tendencies and weaknesses. He is not punishing blindly, but rather reacting to their predetermined actions. It also foreshadows the consequences of their disobedience.
In summary, the verse means:
God knows that the Israelites will eventually turn away from Him and suffer as a result. The Song of Moses will serve as a constant reminder and a witness against them, reminding them of their covenant with God and their failure to uphold it. Despite their unfaithfulness, God ensures that the song will be passed down through generations. God's knowing their future actions ahead of time underscores the fact that their suffering is a consequence of their own choices, not arbitrary punishment from God.
Key Takeaways:
Warning and Prophecy: It's a prophecy and a warning about the Israelites' future disobedience.
God's Foreknowledge: It highlights God's omniscience and His knowledge of their future actions.
The Song as a Witness: It emphasizes the importance of the Song of Moses as a reminder and a witness against them.
Consequences of Disobedience: It implicitly connects disobedience to suffering and hardship.
The verse ultimately serves as a reminder of the consequences of breaking covenant with God, while also highlighting God's faithfulness in providing a means of remembrance and potential repentance through the Song of Moses. It is also a testament to God's sovereignty, knowing the end from the beginning.