The Law Beside the Ark as a Witness
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 31:24-29 (NASB)
24 It came about, when Moses finished writing the words of this Law in a book until they were complete, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, 26 “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you. 27 For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; behold, as long as I have been alive with you until today, you have been rebellious against the Lord; how much more, then, after my death? 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will behave very corruptly and turn from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will confront you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands.”
SUMMARY
After Moses finishes writing the Law in a book, Moses commands the Levites to place it beside the Ark of the Covenant, so that the Law will be a witness against the Israelites in the future. Moses reminds the Israelites how stubborn and rebellious they were even when Moses was alive, and that after Moses’ death they will only be more so. Moses tells the Israelites that they will be corrupt and turn away from God’s Law, provoking God to anger.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Why does Moses tell the Israelites that they will be unfaithful to God after Moses dies, instead of commanding the Israelites to follow God? Moses does not place the Law next to the Ark of the Covenant to remind the Israelites to follow the Law. He places the Law there to act as witness against the Israelites after they disobey the Law. Moses says in verse 29: “I know that after my death you will act corruptly.” On first reading this seemed harsh and unnecessary. Shouldn’t Moses exhort and encourage Israelites, instead of predicting their failure?
But ultimately, Moses’ action reflects God’s mercy. As Moses says in Verse 27, “I know your rebellion and your stubbornness.” Moses knows there is no hope that the Israelites will remain faithful. Yet, instead of abandoning the Israelites to their depravity and corruption, Moses places the Law next to the Ark, to remind the Israelites after they are unfaithful that they can and should turn back to the Lord.
APPLICATION
This passage reflects my life. God knew I was going to be sinful. He knows my soul and heart and knows how corrupt I am. Yet He did not abandon me. Instead, He sacrificed His son to save me. And when I still sin, God gives me His Word to rescue me.
During the pandemic, parts of my personality have surfaced that I was able to ignore previously. Being in the same house with my family has revealed much sin in me. I am often irritated, annoyed, absorbed in my work and ignorant of my family’s needs. Often I am angry – for no reason, and in a way that hurts my family and those around me. When I do these things, I feel so far from God. The last thing I want to do is read His Word, because I know His Word will only convict me of my sin. But this passage reminds me that God gave me the Word for precisely those moments. When I am corrupt and wallowing in sin, God sends me His Word as a witness and as a reminder that I should turn back to Him. No matter what else I’m going through, I should begin my mornings with the Word.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your mercy. You know that I have rejected you and will reject you over and over again, yet you repeatedly extend your hands to me out of love. Thank you for this incredible gift of your Word, through which I can hear your voice and your commands in all circumstances. So often I forget what an incredible thing it is. Lord, please give me the humility to read and accept your Word as the Law in all circumstances, no matter how I feel or what else I’ve done. Fill me with the desire to begin each day with your Word. When I inevitably sin, please help me to immediately reset my heart and my mind, and turn it back toward you.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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