Deuteronomy 31:18 - God Commissions Joshua
Audio Bible
Context
God Commissions Joshua
…17On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ 18And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods. 19Now therefore, write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that it may be a witness for Me against them.…
Cross References
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.Ezekiel 39:23-24
And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity, because they were unfaithful to Me. So I hid My face from them and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword. / I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and transgressions, and I hid My face from them.Hosea 5:15
Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”Micah 3:4
Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. At that time He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done.2 Chronicles 15:2
So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.Isaiah 8:17
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him.Jeremiah 33:5
The Chaldeans are coming to fight and to fill those places with the corpses of the men I will strike down in My anger and in My wrath. I have hidden My face from this city because of all its wickedness.Lamentations 3:44
You have covered Yourself with a cloud that no prayer can pass through.Psalm 10:1
Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?Psalm 27:9
Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.Psalm 44:24
Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and oppression?Psalm 104:29
When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.Matthew 27:46
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”Romans 1:24-28
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ...2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.
Treasury of Scripture
And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have worked, in that they are turned to other gods.
Deuteronomy 31:16,17
And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them…
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Account Entirely Evil Evils Hide Surely Turn Turned Turning Wickedness Worked WroughtDeuteronomy 31
1. Moses encourages the people7. He encourages Joshua
9. He delivers the law unto the priests to be read in the seventh year
14. God gives a charge to Joshua
19. and a song to testify against the people
24. Moses delivers the book of the law to the Levites to keep
28. He makes a protestation
And on that day
This phrase refers to a specific time of judgment and consequence. In the context of Deuteronomy, Moses is addressing the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. "That day" signifies a future moment when the consequences of their actions will manifest. It is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where blessings and curses are contingent upon obedience or disobedience (Deuteronomy 28).
I will surely hide My face
The concept of God hiding His face is a metaphor for the withdrawal of His favor and presence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the face of a deity symbolized attention and blessing. When God hides His face, it indicates a break in the relationship due to sin. This is echoed in other scriptures, such as Isaiah 59:2, where sin creates a separation between God and His people.
because of all the evil they have done
The evil mentioned here refers to the Israelites' disobedience and idolatry. Historically, the Israelites struggled with maintaining faithfulness to God amidst the polytheistic cultures surrounding them. This phrase underscores the seriousness of their actions and the moral and spiritual decline that results from turning away from God's commandments.
by turning to other gods
Idolatry is a recurring issue for the Israelites, as seen throughout the Old Testament. The worship of other gods was not only a violation of the first commandment but also a betrayal of the exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. This turning away is often depicted as spiritual adultery, and it leads to severe consequences, as seen in the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 17:7-23). The call to monotheism is central to Israel's identity and mission, and turning to other gods represents a fundamental breach of their covenant with God.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's message to the people. He is preparing them for his departure and the transition of leadership to Joshua.
2. Israelites
The chosen people of God who are about to enter the Promised Land. They are warned about the consequences of turning away from God.
3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites are on the brink of entering this land.
4. God (Yahweh)
The one true God who has been leading and providing for the Israelites. He warns them of the consequences of idolatry.
5. Other gods
The false deities that the Israelites are tempted to worship, which leads to God's warning of hiding His face.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must examine our hearts for modern-day idols.
The Consequence of Sin
Sin leads to a separation from God, symbolized by Him hiding His face. This should motivate us to live in obedience and repentance.
God's Faithfulness Despite Human Unfaithfulness
Even when God hides His face, it is a call to repentance and a reminder of His desire for a restored relationship with His people.
The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance
The Israelites were warned before entering the Promised Land. We, too, must remain vigilant in our spiritual journey, aware of the temptations that can lead us away from God.
Seeking God's Face
In times of spiritual dryness or when God seems distant, we are encouraged to seek Him earnestly, knowing that He desires to be found by those who seek Him with all their heart.
(18) I will surely hide my face.--"As though I did not see (them) in their distress" (Rashi).
Hebrew
And
וְאָנֹכִ֗י (wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I
on that
הַה֔וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are
day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day
I will surely
הַסְתֵּ֨ר (has·têr)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5640: To stop up, to repair, to keep secret
hide
אַסְתִּ֤יר (’as·tîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5641: To hide, conceal
My face
פָּנַי֙ (pā·nay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face
because of
עַ֥ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against
all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every
the evil
הָרָעָ֖ה (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil
they have done
עָשָׂ֑ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make
by turning
פָנָ֔ה (p̄ā·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look
to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to
other
אֲחֵרִֽים׃ (’ă·ḥê·rîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other
gods.
אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
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Deuteronomy 31:18 Catholic BibleOT Law: Deuteronomy 31:18 I will surely hide my face (Deut. De Du)