Times of leadership transition for a nation are often fraught with uncertainty. This was especially true in the ancient world. Moses had led the nation of Israel for forty years through some of the most challenging and difficult circumstances. He had brought them to the brink of the Promised Land. Now it was time to pass the mantle of leadership to the next generation.

Two important truths would help Israel make this transition. First, Israel needed to recognize that their ultimate ruler was the Lord. Their success was not due to the greatness of their human leaders. Israel was redeemed from slavery in Egypt because of the Lord’s mighty hand. They were sustained through the wilderness by manna and water provided by the Lord. When they entered the land, the Lord would fight their battles (v. 5). Their ultimate hope did not rest in any human leader. This is a good reminder for us today as well.

The second truth Israel needed to embrace was that the Lord had given them the Law. They did not have to guess what the Lord required from them. The Law was God’s revelation. It was not secret knowledge but was to be read, meditated upon, and taught to the whole nation. Moses commanded the priests to read the entire law before the whole nation once every seven years (vv. 10–13). The reason was so that every generation would “learn to fear the LORD your God” (v. 13). Again, Israel did not have to trust in an expert military hero to remain in the land, but were called to carefully attend to God’s word. We too are called to follow and obey, knowing that the Lord is with us (v. 6; Matt. 28:20).

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