Deuteronomy 30 is a blessed assurance of God's mercy, with the solemn and awful fact that the choosing rests with the individual soul. Chapter 31 records the final charge to Moses, the law delivered to the priests, and the commission to Joshua. Chapter 32 is a song taught by Moses to Israel to call to remembrance their own nothingness and God's goodness and power. Chapter 33 is the prophetic blessing of Moses upon the tribes. Chapter 34 records Moses' vision and death. It may have been written by Eleazar the priest. The last three chapters of Deuteronomy are themselves largely poetry, hence no psalm is given.
Joshua, we have already learned, came out of Egypt with Israel; was among the faithful ones to the end; was among the twelve spies, and chosen to succeed Moses in Israel. His name was originally Hoshea (salvation), changed by Moses to Jehoshea (Jehovah is my salvation), afterward shortened to Joshua. In later times in the Septuagint and the New Testament it took the form of Jesus. Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8. Joshua was a type of Jesus.
The book of Joshua, written doubtless by him, contains the account of the settlement of the chosen people in Canaan. Its first chapter records God's charge to His servant, and the plea of the two and one-half tribes. Chapter two is the story of the two spies, and Rahab's act of faith. Her lying is not justified,—lying is never justifiable,—but she did not know its evil. She did believe in the Gospel of Israel's coming. God blessed her, not because of her lie, but in spite of it.
Chapters 3, 4, 5 record the impressive passing of the Jordan, and the reconsecration of the people to God. Then came the Representative of God's army to assure Israel of God's presence. Chapter 6 is the story of Jericho's destruction, which might have been her salvation if she had opened to the hosts of God. It was God's invisible army which cast down the walls. Chapters 7 and 8 show the awful results of even one sin and sinner among God's people; and chapter 9 shows the result of not seeking God, but trusting to outward appearance. It cost Israel the handicap of a foreign element for centuries. Chapter 10 is the chronicle of many battles, and the conquering of several petty kingdoms, the people of which it would have been a perversion of mercy to spare and allow them to continue to propagate a like seed.
Psalms 84 to 88 are especially rich and beautiful in devotional, uplifting thought. Psalm 89 is prophetic of David and David's greater Son—Jesus Christ. Psalm 90 is "A Prayer of Moses the Man of God," in which is set forth the vanity of life and the importance of seeking God.