Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXXI Moses encourages the people and Joshua, ver. 1 - 8. 23. Delivers to the priests the law, to be read every seventh year, ver. 9 - 13. God informs Moses of his approaching death, and the future apostasy of Israel, ver. 14 - 18. Orders him to write a song, which should be a testimony against them, ver. 19 - 22. Moses gives the law to the Levites to lay up beside the ark, and bids them assemble the people to hear his song, ver. 24 - 30. Went and spake - Continued to speak, an usual Hebrew phrase. Go out and come in - Perform the office of a leader or governor, because the time of my death approaches. This law - Largely so called, the whole law or doctrine delivered unto Moses contained in these five books. To the priests - That they might keep it carefully and religiously, and bring it forth upon occasion, and read it, and instruct the people out of it. The elders - Who were assistants to the priests, to take care that the law should be kept, and read, and observed. The year of release - When they were freed from debts and troubles, and cares of worldly matters, and thereby fitter to attend on God and his service. Thou shalt read - Thou shalt cause it to be read by the priest or Levites; for he could not read it himself in the hearing of all Israel, but this was to be done by several persons, and so the people met in several congregations. Together - Not in one place. But into divers assemblies or synagogues. Women who hereby are required to go to Jerusalem at this solemnity, as they were permitted to do in other solemnities. Children - Such of them as could understand, as appears from Neh 8:2,3, the pious Jews doubtless read it daily in their houses, and Moses of old time was read in the synagogues every sabbath day. But once in seven years, the law was thus to be read in public, to magnify it and make it honourable. Give him a charge - Immediately from myself for his greater encouragement, and to gain him more authority with the people.