God tells Moses to call Joshua forth, so that He may address him. The two stand before God at the tent of meeting, and He tells Moses that upon his death, the people will stray towards idolatry. God will punish them by hiding His presence, allowing evil to befall them. The people will say it is because God has abandoned them that such things have happened, but it is in fact their own behavior that has warranted God’s hiding. Therefore, God instructs Moses to write down a song which the people will learn, and which will serve as witness to the fact that their behavior determines their own fate. The Torah states that Moses records God’s song, which he teaches to the people. Then God finally turns to Joshua, reiterating Moses’s charge to be strong and courageous. He promises Joshua that He will remain with him as he leads the people into the Promised Land.
Virtual Classroom Discussion
Why do you think God wanted Joshua present when he instructed Moses to record the song of warning?