Single lesson
Reading and Preserving the Law
Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Deuteronomy 31:24–29
This passage shows Moses writing the law, giving it to priests and elders, and commanding that it be read to all Israel. It also explains why the book was placed beside the ark and why that mattered.
Before you teach
In these verses, Moses delivers the written law to the priests who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant and to Israel’s elders. He commands a public reading every seven years at the Feast of Booths. After finishing the book, he tells the Levites to place it beside the ark as a witness and warns of future rebellion.
Explain the central teaching of Reading and Preserving the Law, using two details from the reading. The law was to be carefully preserved and regularly read so the whole people, including children, could hear, learn, fear Yahweh, and keep his words.
Welcome: Reading and Preserving the Law
5 minIntroduce “Reading and Preserving the Law” and locate Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Deuteronomy 31:24–29. The law was to be carefully preserved and regularly read so the whole people, including children, could hear, learn, fear Yahweh, and keep his words. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Deuteronomy 31:9, Deuteronomy 31:24, Deuteronomy 31:29
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe passage begins with Moses writing this law and delivering it to the priests, the sons of Levi who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and to all the elders of Israel. The law is presented as written and handed over to those named in the passage.
The assembly includes men, women, little ones, and the foreigners within their gates. The purpose is stated clearly: they are to hear, learn, fear Yahweh, and observe the words of the law. Their children also are to hear and learn to fear Yahweh.
After finishing the book, Moses commands the Levites to place it by the side of the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against the people. He explains this by speaking of their rebellion, stiff neck, and future turning away from the commanded way.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Reading and Preserving the Law”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Deuteronomy 31:9, Deuteronomy 31:12, Deuteronomy 31:13, Deuteronomy 31:24, Deuteronomy 31:25, Deuteronomy 31:26, Deuteronomy 31:27, Deuteronomy 31:28, Deuteronomy 31:29
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “Who was to be gathered to hear the law?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. The law was to be carefully preserved and regularly read so the whole people, including children, could hear, learn, fear Yahweh, and keep his words. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Deuteronomy 31:12, Deuteronomy 31:13, Deuteronomy 31:26, Deuteronomy 31:27, Deuteronomy 31:29
Make and respond: Instruction and context chart
12 minWork on “Reading and Preserving the Law: Instruction and context chart”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Reading and Preserving the Law” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Deuteronomy 31:9, Deuteronomy 31:24, Deuteronomy 31:29
Closing: return to Reading and Preserving the Law
3 minRevisit Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Deuteronomy 31:24–29. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Reading and Preserving the Law and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Deuteronomy 31:9, Deuteronomy 31:24, Deuteronomy 31:29
Questions to explore
Who was to be gathered to hear the law?
Use the list in the passage and notice that it includes adults, children, and foreigners within their gates.
Deuteronomy 31:12, Deuteronomy 31:13
What results does the passage name for this public reading?
The text itself lists the purposes: hear, learn, fear Yahweh, and observe the words of the law.
Deuteronomy 31:12, Deuteronomy 31:13
Why was the book placed beside the ark?
Answer from Moses’ own words about the book being a witness against the people and his warning about rebellion and turning away.
Deuteronomy 31:26, Deuteronomy 31:27, Deuteronomy 31:29
Make, think or respond
Reading and Preserving the Law: Instruction and context chart
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Who is addressed?”, “What is required?”, “What reason or purpose is given?”.
- Read Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Deuteronomy 31:24–29. Use “Reading and Preserving the Law” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Under the chart, distinguish instructions in their original setting from an application you could discuss today.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Reading and Preserving the Law connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Reading and Preserving the Law” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Deuteronomy 31:24–29. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Deuteronomy 31:24–29. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Deuteronomy 31
9 Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and to all the elders of Israel.
10 Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of booths,
11 when all Israel has come to appear before Yahweh your God in the place which he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, learn, fear Yahweh your God, and observe to do all the words of this law,
13 and that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to fear Yahweh your God, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”
24 When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
25 Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, saying,
26 “Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of Yahweh your God’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you.
27 For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against Yahweh. How much more after my death?
28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.