The Law Placed in the Ark
After finishing the written law from beginning to end, Moses commands the Levites to place the book beside the ark of the covenant. There it is to remain as a witness against Israel.
W24hen Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, 25he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD: 26“Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you.
Moses says he already knows Israel's stubbornness and expects even greater rebellion after his death. He gathers the leaders and officers so his words, along with heaven and earth, may stand as witness before the disaster he foresees.
27For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death! 28Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and turn from the path I have commanded you. And in the days to come, disaster will befall you because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke Him to anger by the work of your hands.”