Deuteronomy 32

Deuteronomy 32:45-47

The Passing of the Old Leader (32:45-34:12) The Final Exhortation (32:45-47) The song ended, Moses now offers his final exhortation to absolute obedience to the Law. The expression “all these words” of verse 45 refers to the Deuteronomic discourses as a whole, not to the words of the song, as the closing phrase of verse 46 plainly shows. The listeners are told to “lay to heart [literally, “set your heart to”; that is, “take to heart”] all the words which I enjoin upon you [literally, “which I am testifying against you”]” and to teach them to their posterity. Here God’s revelation of his will in the Law is considered as a testimony against man’s sin. Obedience is a life-and-death matter, not a triviality with inconsequential results (vs. 47).

Deuteronomy 32:48-52

The Preparation for Death (32:48-52) Moses is now instructed to ascend Mount Nebo in the Abarim Mountains opposite Jericho (about 12 miles east of the mouth of the Jordan) for a view of the land prior to his death. (For a discussion of the relation of Pisgah to Mount Nebo and the reasons for Moses’ exclusion from the Promised Land see the comment on 3:23-29.)