31:16 And Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers; and this people will arise and play the harlot with the foreign gods of the land, into the midst of which they are going, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have cut with them.”

After shedding the apostate generation during these 40 years, Yahweh now cuts another covenant with the seed of Jacob to establish them as His people. Despite this, we know that their hearts do not fully correspond to the character of God, and their failure and exile is inevitable. Their punishment will amaze the nations, so that even in Israel’s destruction God will reveal Himself to the world as the One who blesses and curses. Yet God has sworn an oath to the fathers, and in time this people will return from captivity: not only into the land, but their hearts will be circumcised so that they will love God and fulfill His vision to be a people of divine prosperity, wisdom and righteousness. With both of these prophecies in mind, the final exhortation to every individual is look to himself here and now, and choose life. (Josh 24:15)

Moses now calls upon the people and Joshua to be strong and courageous. If they remember the proven power of God and the words of this law, they will win the land and prolong their days. Despite these commands, the Lord “knows the intent the people are developing in their heart” to spare the wicked cultures and play the harlot with their gods. This book that contains the Law and a song Moses writes will witnesses to the unfaithfulness of the people for generations to come.