We begin this chapter with the concluding remarks of Moses’ second discourse. His concern for the children of Israel knows no limits, yet he knows them well, both their strengths and weaknesses. They have been together for approximately forty years. It has been a long journey, but now they are about to enter into the Promised Land. They would not, however, have arrived at this point unless the Lord had preserved them.

The Israelites are to remember they have been given this land, not because of their efforts, but out of the mercy of the Lord, and they should always express their gratitude unto him.

The children of Israel show their gratitude to the Lord for the bountiful blessings they have received by offering a tithing of their increase which is to then be distributed to those who are less fortunate.

The importance of caring for the needy and the naked is an essential part of the teachings of the prophets. Note its importance as revealed to Alma, a prophet on the American continent, as recorded in the Book of Mormon.

These words compliment those of Moses thereby underscoring the importance of caring for those who are less fortunate as a necessary requirement of our love of the Lord.

Israel, having shown their gratitude to the Lord for the many blessings He has given them, show their appreciation by caring for others. They can then petition the Lord in their prayers to look down upon them.

Before we proceed regarding Moses’ teachings to Israel regarding their covenant, it is important we understand what a covenant entails.

The Guide to the Scriptures notes,

With this understanding in mind, read Moses’ words to Israel.

In this instance, the covenant is between a nation (Israel) and God. It is God, not Israel, who sets the conditions in the agreement and Israel who agrees. God then promises them certain blessings for their obedience. Through their obedience to His statutes, commandments, and judgments, Israel can become a holy people unto the Lord, above all nations, and also qualify themselves for further blessings.

Moses begins his final discourse with a simple preface,

The directives he will give them are not to be taken lightly, but instead are framed as “commandments.” It is not to be assumed that this directive applies only to his third discourse, but instead to all the words of admonition he has given them in each of his discourses.

Once across the Jordan they are to build an alter of uncut stones in commemoration of the day the children of Israel “become the people of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 27:9), and as a token of Israel’s gratitude to God for his many kindnesses. The stones are to be inscribed with the words of God given to Moses (Deuteronomy 27:3).

Moses again reminds Israel of his visual images involving the mounts of Gerizin and Ebal. For even further emphasis, he divides the members of the twelve tribes and locates six on mount Gerizin [to bless the people] and six tribes on mount Ebal [to curse the people] (Deuteronomy 27:12-13). He reiterates this imaginary in order to instill upon the hearts and minds of the people how their obedience will lead to blessings and their disobedience will lead to their being cursed. He begins with the acts that will bring cursings upon them.

To each of the cursings, the people are to say aloud, “Amen,” thereby acknowledging their willingness to be obedient or accept the required punishment. The sins which Israel are to avoid include: worship of graven images (vs.15); boundary disputes (vs.17); false teachings (vs.18); ill treatment of strangers, fatherless, and widowed (vs.19); sexual perversion with family members or animals (vs.20-23); acts of violence (vs.24-25), and disobedience to the law of the land (vs.26).

He now states the numerous blessings that will come to them through their obedience.

The blessings that will come to the children of Israel are conditional upon their obedience to the statutes and commandments of the Lord.

Previously having stated the blessings that will be theirs through their obedience, Moses now reiterates the relationship between disobedience and the cursing which shall come up them.

Moses reminds Israel the great blessing that will come to them if,

All the blessings that had been promised to the previous patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, would be given to them. These promises extend to those not even present.

I believe the Lord is extending these blessings and cursing to their generations to come.

Both the blessings and cursings have application not only to Israel in the present and in the future, but it is also in force upon each individual today who is willing to make and keep sacred covenants with the Lord.

Moses now places special emphasis upon what he knows that will bring about their downfall… the worship of other gods and the consequences of that choice.

One result of the cursings by the Lord will be that they will be “cast… into another land” (Deuteronomy 29:28). They will lose their land of promise for a period of time as a result of their displacement.

The Lord in his mercy holds out to the children of Israel the possibility of restoration to their land in the future. This promise, however, is conditional upon their obedience.

At the conclusion of his third discourse, through the power of prophetic vision, Moses is able to see the events of Israel’s future. He has repeatedly admonished the children of Israel to be obedient. He has been specific regarding the blessings that will come to them or if they choose not, the cursing. He has repeatedly warned them of the temptations they will experience, and how to combat them. He has warned them of the consequences if they ignore his commandments. Through vision, he knows how they are going to respond and that finally, due to their disobedience, they will be scattered among the nations of the earth. He reminds them once again how just and merciful the Lord is toward his covenant children. He holds out to them the promise that though they will be scattered, if they will again turn to the Lord, and be obedient to his commandments, he will return them again to their promised land and will curse those who are their enemies. As we study the history of Israel, we will see Moses’ vision verified and the fulfillment of many facets of his promise.

Knowing of his pending departure, Moses calls Israel together in order to transfer his authority to Joshua. Joshua and Caleb are the only two individuals who began the exodus from Egypt and who will enter the promised land. Moses calls Joshua in front of all the children of Israel and gives him, and them, his final instructions as to how they will possess the land of promise.

“Be strong and of good courage; The Lord… will be with thee; fear not,” are words for Israel, as well as us, to remember. In order to help them to remember, Moses gives Israel an important commandment.

As Israel reads the words of the book of Deuteronomy every seven years, it will help them to remember both the blessings and cursings that will come to them, depending upon their obedience to the law. It is also important their children or anyone who is unaware of the law will be taught.

The Lord instructs Moses to call Joshua and to present themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation. The purpose of the Lord’s visit is to give Joshua “a charge” (Deuteronomy 31:14). This is the charge the Lord gave to Joshua.

The Lord has now anointed Joshua to be his prophet and to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. In view of the previous verses (Deuteronomy 31:16-17), the Lord knew in advance that the Israelites will be unfaithful to their covenants just as Moses had previous warned them (Deuteronomy 29:25-27). Joshua’s task would not be easy, however, the Lord promised that He would be with him.

The Lord instructs Moses to teach the Israelites a song.

From the chapter heading of Chapter 32, we learn that this song has six main parts:

Why was Moses directed to write a song? So they would yet have another reminder of the efforts the Lord had made to bless their lives and yet they turned from him. In fact, we learn from Genesis 49:24, that the “God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:” refers to Jesus Christ. This truth was reaffirmed to the Prophet Joseph Smith by the Savior himself in the Doctrine and Covenants.

From the very beginning, even in the pre-existence, they were known to Him and He had chosen them to be his people. He was the good shepherd who was willing to stand by them, regardless of their challenges and adversities, if they would only turn to Him. They instead rejected Him as the rock upon which they were to build.

Leviticus 26 is one of the most powerful chapters of the books in the Old Testament. The Lord puts the options facing Israel so clearly they could not be misunderstood. If Israel was obedient, they would be blessed with the bounties of the earth, safety and security, peace, and protection from enemies. The Lord makes this promise to them.

These promises could be summarized in one word: Zion. Zion is defined “as the pure in heart.” If Israel was obedient, she would achieve a Zion condition. However, if Israel refused, the following would occur.

The blessings would be withdrawn, and sorrow, hunger, war, disease, exile, tragedy, and abandonment [by the Lord] would result.

In the winter of 1976-77, the western United States faced a serious drought. A living prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, saw in that event and other natural phenomena, a warning that had been given during the time of the Old Testament.

Spencer W. Kimball states,

Spencer W. Kimball continues,

The words of a modern Prophet are no less difficult to hear and follow than are the words of past prophets. However, if we want to enjoy the blessings of the Lord, and not suffer his cursing, we too must be obedient to his commandments and to separate ourselves from the hedonistic practices of those around us. The time to do so is now is the message of Leviticus as well as Deuteronomy.

We read that the Lord showed Moses the Promised Land.

What did Moses see?

The Old Testament Institute Student Manual states,

We read in the book of Deuteronomy of Moses death.

It seems clear from the book of Deuteronomy that Moses, like many before him and after him, died and that he was buried by the Lord. Why is there any question?

Let us explore another option for your consideration.

Bruce R. McConkie states,

In other words, it was necessary for him to be translated as he yet had work to do in the future that required him to have a body of flesh and bones. It was therefore necessary for his existence to be prolonged so that he was able to perform further labors as part of his heavenly ministry.

Ellis T. Rasmussen states,

Joseph Fielding Smith states,

The event to which Joseph Fielding Smith refers is the appearance of Moses and Elijah upon the Mount of Transfiguration found in the New Testament. This event is recorded by three of the four gospel writers (Matthew 17:3-4; Mark 9:4-9; Luke 9:30).

It was necessary for Moses and Elijah to be translated as they were to restore keys to Peter, James, and John, which had to occur before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. As they could not perform this action in the spirit, they had to have bodies of flesh and bones. Finally for your consideration, I offer the following from the Book of Mormon.

Bruce R. McConkie states,

While the book of Deuteronomy makes it clear that Moses died, latter-day revelation suggests that he was changed by the Lord so that he would be able to yet perform future responsibilities prior to his being resurrected.

The time has now come for Moses to depart from his beloved Israelites. While the past forty years had been most difficult, there were also times when Moses must have been most proud of them. I believe that he loved them as a father loves his children, even during the times when they are rebellious.

Ellis T. Rasmussen states,

Ellis T. Rasmussen notes,

A fitting tribute is given by the Lord himself regarding His prophet known as Moses.

Joshua was well able by nature, endowment, and divine appointment to take over as leader of the Israelites. Each prophet the Lord calls will have or be given unique attributes for his special calling. None, however, will be the equal of Moses in intimacy with the Lord.

Keith H. Meservy states,

Another way to think about the book of Deuteronomy is as a wake-up call for Modern Israel, you and me.

Spencer W. Kimball observes,

The question he poses is an excellent one for each of us to consider. Do we sincerely think we can continue to ignore the directives of the Lord and yet still be eligible for the promises He offers to those who are obedient? I do not know of any circumstance in life where the benefits come equally to those who fulfill the necessary requirements as well as to those who do not. Do you? I truly believe the Lord is merciful to those who seek to be obedient to his commandments, but to those who rebel or disregard them, they receive no benefit. As I read the Old Testament, the message of the Lord is consistent–either obedience and blessings or disobedience and cursing. What will be our decision? Now is the time for us to decide.