Deuteronomy 31:24-30: a reflection

24When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, 25Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the LORD’s covenant, saying, 26“Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the LORD your God’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you. 27For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the LORD. How much more after my death? 28Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in the LORD’s sight, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.” 30Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished.

When Moses finishes writing the law, he commands that the book be placed beside the ark of the covenant, and he gives its purpose: that it may be there for a witness against you. The written word of God was to stand as a witness, a lasting testimony, kept beside the ark; it would testify to what God had commanded, and against the people when they strayed from it. Moses knew they would rebel; and the word, kept as a witness, would stand to testify, a permanent record of God's will that would hold them accountable.

Notice the role given to God's written word: to stand as a witness. It was not merely to be read once and forgotten; it was to be kept, a lasting testimony, a witness to what God had said and against the people when they departed from it. The word of God stood as a permanent witness, testifying to God's will, holding the people accountable to what God had commanded. It would not change or fade; it stood, a fixed witness, against which their obedience or disobedience could be measured. God's word was a standing witness.

That is worth taking to heart, for God's word stands as a witness to us too, testifying to his will and holding us accountable. God's word is not merely to be read and forgotten; it stands as a witness, a fixed testimony to what God has commanded, against which our lives are measured. It testifies to us of God's will, and stands as a witness when we depart from it. Do not treat God's word as something to be read once and forgotten; it stands as a lasting witness, testifying to God's will and holding you accountable to it. Take seriously that God's word stands as a witness to you, a fixed testimony of his will against which your life is measured, as the book of the law was placed beside the ark for a witness; live in accountability to God's word, which stands as a permanent witness, rather than treating it as something to be read and forgotten, for it testifies to God's will and stands as a witness to us.

Lord, when Moses finishes writing the law, he commands that the book be placed beside the ark of the covenant, and he gives its purpose: that it may be there for a witness against you. The written word of God was to stand as a witness, a lasting testimony; it would testify to what you had commanded, and against the people when they strayed from it. Moses knew they would rebel; and the word, kept as a witness, would stand to testify, a permanent record of your will that would hold them accountable. Show me the role given to your written word: to stand as a witness. It was not merely to be read once and forgotten; it was to be kept, a lasting testimony, a witness to what you had said and against the people when they departed from it. Your word stood as a permanent witness, holding the people accountable. It would not change or fade. Take that to my heart, for your word stands as a witness to me too, testifying to your will and holding me accountable. Your word is not merely to be read and forgotten; it stands as a fixed testimony to what you have commanded, against which my life is measured. Keep me from treating your word as something to be read once and forgotten; it stands as a lasting witness, holding me accountable. Help me take seriously that your word stands as a witness to me, Lord, a fixed testimony of your will; help me live in accountability to your word.