- Insight from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31—Readying. Moses gave some messages to ready the people for the future, and God gave Moses a message to also ready him for the future. •Message to Israel: Moses told Israel his age and that he would no longer be their leader. Then he exhorted and encouraged them in taking the land of Canaan telling them that God was with them and would give them the victory. •Message to Moses: Moses was told to prepare for the change of command from Moses to Joshua. Then the Lord told Moses what would eventually happen to the Israelites—they would turn away from God and go after idols, and many troubles would come upon them as a result. •Message to Joshua: Moses exhorted Joshua to “be strong and of good courage” (31:23) in bringing the Israelites into Canaan. •Message to the Levites: they were instructed by Moses to put the copy of the law (which Moses had written) in the ark (the ark held three important articles—a jar of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and now a copy of the law). •Message to the elders and officers: this message told the leaders of Israel what Moses had just told the Levities, namely, that Israel would eventually turn from God. This message was intended to discourage disobedience.