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the other verses

Deuteronomy 31:19-22 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 31:19 Therefore write down this song for yourselves and teach it to the Israelites; place it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for me against the Israelites.
Deuteronomy 31:20 When I bring them into the land I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. They will turn to other gods and worship them, despising me and breaking my covenant.
Deuteronomy 31:21 And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because their descendants will not have forgotten it. You see, I know what they are prone to do, even before I bring them into the land I swore to give them.”

the other verses

Moses wrote a song about what was going to happen. It predicted the conquest of the land, and the prosperity to follow. These verses ensured that the song would be remembered and repeated by the next generations. But then there were the other verses of the song. These would predict that Israel would turn to other gods and worship them, despising their God and breaking his covenant. Over time, these verses would drop off, as no one wanted to remember these predictions. But the prophets would keep reminding them. The whole song is important.

Lord, we confess that we don’t like to think about negative things, and we also are guilty of dropping off the other verses of your song. But help us to walk in integrity, paying attention to your whole word.