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Moses repeated the law as soon as he had opportunity, and circumstances required it. He did not wait till the promised land was entered. The work of today was not delayed till the morrow. It was done at once. He did it where he was — in the land of the Gentiles — surrounded with heathen — in the country of foes. Trapp with no little humour remarks on these, words, "And he was not long about it. A ready heart makes a riddance of God's work, for being oiled with the Spirit, it becomes lithe and nimble and quick of despatch." Three practical hints —

I. WHAT IS TO BE DONE DO AT ONCE. Moses on this side of Jordan began to speak. Had Moses been a boy at school he would not have put off his prayers till he got home, where there were no schoolfellows to chaff. He would have said them then and there.

II. DO NOT THINK THAT THERE WILL BE A MORE PROPITIOUS TIME THAN THE PRESENT.

1. Dallying with duties does not diminish difficulties.

2. Delay positively increases difficulties. Power unused decreases. If duty is deferred a day we are a day's wasted strength the weaker.

3. We know what is to be done now; tomorrow it may be forgotten. Cares of life may usurp attention. The duties are pushed aside — choked down — killed. Weeds grow faster than corn. Cares and duties come quicker than time.

III. DO SOME GOOD THINGS IN THIS LIFE — IN THE DESERT, SO CALLED, ON THIS SIDE OF JORDAN. Do not wait till heaven is reached, that angels alone may be witness of your good deeds. Moses did not defer till the promised land was reached. He did what he was able out of the promised land. It was well he did. He never reached Canaan. Had he put off all till then, nothing would have been done.

(J. Saurin.)

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KJV: These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

WEB: These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah over against Suph, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.