Deuteronomy 32:44 - Meaning and Application

Here is the solemn handoff of this song to the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:44, 45). Moses spoke it to all who could hear him, while Joshua, in another gathering at the same time, delivered it to those within his reach. In this way, both their leaders gave the same message. Moses was about to step down, and Joshua was about to take up the work, so the people could see there was no change in God’s command. Joshua, like Moses, would stand as a witness against them if they ever turned away from God.

Moses then gave them a strong charge to pay attention to these words and to all the other good words he had spoken. He deeply wanted God’s word to leave a lasting mark on them. He was careful over them with a holy concern, afraid they might let these great truths slip away. He wanted them to keep the words in mind, keep them in heart, and hold fast to duty with full purpose.

He charged them to do two things. First, they must carefully attend to these things themselves: “Set your hearts on the law, the promises and warnings, the blessings and curses, and now this song too.” He means they should apply their minds closely to these truths, be moved by them, and stay fixed on their duty. Second, they must pass these things on to those who come after them. Whatever influence they had with their children, they were to use it for this purpose and command them, as Abraham did with his household (Genesis 18:19), to keep all the words of this law. Those who are faithful themselves should want their children to be faithful too, so that religion continues in the next generation.

Moses also gave them reasons to make religion their main business and to keep at it. First, the things he had charged them with are of great importance. He says it is not a useless thing, because it is their life (Deuteronomy 32:47). It is not a small matter or something optional. It is a matter of life and death. If they pay attention to it, they are secure forever. If they neglect it, they are ruined forever. If only people were fully convinced that religion is life, the life of the soul.

Second, there is great benefit in it. By holding to this way, they would live long in Canaan. That promise also points ahead to the eternal life that Christ has promised to those who keep God’s commandments (Matthew 19:17).

Then God gave Moses orders concerning his death. This honored witness for God had finished his testimony, so he must go up to Mount Nebo and die. In the prophecy about Christ’s two witnesses, there is a clear reminder of Moses and Elijah (Revelation 11:6). Perhaps their removal by martyrdom was no less glorious than the removal of Moses or Elijah. The order came to Moses that very day (Deuteronomy 32:48). Now that his work was done, why should he wish to live any longer? He had once asked to go over Jordan, but now he is fully satisfied and says no more about it, just as God had told him.

First, God reminded him of the sin that kept him out of Canaan (Deuteronomy 32:51). This would help him bear the rebuke more patiently, since he had sinned, and also renew his sorrow for that careless word. Even the best people do well to die while still repenting of the failings they know about themselves. It was an omission that displeased God, because Moses did not honor God as he should have done before the children of Israel. He did not act with the right care in carrying out the orders he had received.

Second, God reminded Moses of his brother Aaron’s death (Deuteronomy 32:50), so his own death would seem more familiar and less frightening. It is a great comfort when we die to think of friends who have gone before us through that dark valley, especially Christ, our older brother and great high priest.

Third, God sent him up to a high hill to see the land of Canaan and then die there (Deuteronomy 32:49, 50). The memory of his sin could have made death seem fearful, but the sight God gave him of Canaan took away that fear. It showed that God had received him again, and it plainly told him that although his sin kept him from the earthly Canaan, it would not keep him from that better country, which in this life can only be seen by faith. Those can die with comfort and peace whenever God calls, even if they remember their own sins, if they have a believing hope of eternal life beyond death.