Deuteronomy 31 LAST BIRTHDAY
He was getting old it was true, but even more important than Moses' 120th birthday was the fact that Israel was to move into the land of promise and he wouldn't be going with them. There comes a time in every person's life and work, when God wants others to finish or continue what we were doing. We may wonder whether they are able to do it, or how well they are going to do it, but that really isn't our business. We have had our day. We have done what we believed was God's will. Now the time has come to let it go and let others take the work from here. They probably will do some things differently than we would. The work will take on a different characteristic then we gave it. That doesn't mean it is more right or wrong then when we were involved. It is just different. Part of our responsibility in view of this day is to make sure there are those we have helped prepare for the work. "The things thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
Joshua was a tried and proven man. In his attitude he was willing to serve and live in the shadow of Moses. for many years. In aptitude he was a capable soldier, one who was able to grasp a dangerous situation and lead others through a battle to victory under the power of God. In fortitude he was willing to take on dangerous and hard tasks and complete those tasks. And when others showed fear and trepidation, he stood against that crowd. His courage had been demonstrated and his strength of character as well as physical strength were channeled by his willingness to do the service of God.
The Lord's people are not blind nor dumb. They know a person's character by the way he reacts under pressure. They know whether he knows when not to speak as well as when to have something profitable to say. They know when a person lives with the consciousness of the presence of the Lord with him. Courage in spiritual life is often tested and God's people can tell when one acts with faith in spite of the difficulties he faces. A person who is acquainted with God's Word has a credibility that cannot be gained in any other way. A man who has these characteristics usually has the confidence of God's people and is easily recognized as a leader who can be trusted.
In the midst of Moses' busy leadership schedule, he was used by the Holy Spirit to write down all these laws, commandments and statutes to be read to the future generations of God's people. These were kept by the priests who carried the ark when it was moved. The words he wrote were carefully kept and then in the seventh year when indentured servants were released, it was read publicly in the hearing of everyone. The children born over the last seven years would be old enough to listen with respect and understand what they had heard. The fourteen-year-olds would be reminded again of their own responsibility to make decisions under the direction of the laws of God. Those who were twenty-one would again remember that now they have adult responsibilities that rest on their shoulders. The reading of the law would remind them of the boundaries of God's will that they must stay within. Each seventh year all the people would hear the words of the law read at the last feast, the feast of booths, and they would have time after the reading to discuss it among themselves over the seven days and also with other people. They would all be expected to know the law and act accordingly. No doubt much of it would have been memorized. If not word for word, at least subject by subject so no one could claim ignorance as an excuse for breaking the law.
The Word of God should be in our hearts and minds, hidden there so we will not sin against the Lord. Its truths are there to guide us in character development, decision making and when judgments are passed. We have no excuse for ignorance of God's Word because we have it in written form in our own language, and our own copy is available to us. The importance of teaching the truths of God from scripture to our children cannot be overemphasized. It needs to be read and studied prayerfully and carefully with correct interpretation and reasonable application. The teaching of the word of God to our young people needs to be stressed, beginning when they are young and being reaffirmed constantly.
Moses' service was coming to an end, and on this 120th birthday his final instructions must have meant a lot to him as well as to those to whom he spoke for God. He knew the children of Israel would fail to keep the commandments of the Lord, but that did not stop him from loving them and caring for them as a father loves and care for his children even though he knows what they are like. The neglect of God's things and taking God's blessings for granted have a great cost that cannot be avoided. We can teach and plead. We can give the exposition and application of the word of God to the people. We can warn them of the consequences of disobedience and carelessness. But ultimately the decision for righteousness and truth, or disobedience and rebellion, rests on each individual person. Stubbornness and a hard-hearted rebellious nature, ensures there will be a high price to pay. The Israelites were a rebellious people by nature and Moses knew that. Even though we know what some people are like, and we try to help them understand God's will and word, the time comes when they will decide for themselves how far they are willing to go in the life of faith.
Probably the best way we can help our young people is to give them the Word of God, "line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little and there a little;" then guide them how to apply those truths to themselves. That takes time, perseverance and patience but it is worth the effort. Moses knew what the people were like but he did not give up on them right to the end of his life. Those of us who are older need to maintain our convictions and our calling with consistency right to the end of our lives. This is the legacy we can give to our children and our children's children.