311 So Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel . 2 And he said to them, "I am a hundred and twenty years old today ; I am no longer able to come and go , and the Lord has said to me, ' You shall not cross this Jordan .' 3 " It is the Lord your God who will cross ahead of you; He will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken . 4 "The Lord will do to them just as He did to Sihon and Og , the kings of the Amorites , and to their land , when He destroyed them. 5 " The Lord will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you. 6 " Be strong and courageous , do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." 7 Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel , " Be strong and courageous , for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance . 8 " The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:1-8
(Read Deuteronomy 31:1-8)
Moses assures Israel of the constant presence of God with them. This is applied by the apostle to all God's spiritual Israel, to encourage their faith and hope; unto us is this gospel preached, as well as unto them; he will never fail thee, nor forsake thee, Hebrews 13:5. Moses commends Joshua to them for a leader; one whose wisdom, and courage, and affection they had long known; one whom God had appointed to be their leader; and therefore would own and bless. Joshua is well pleased to be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage. Those shall speed well, who have God with them; therefore they ought to be of good courage. Through God let us do valiantly, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we resist the devil, he will flee from us.