and submit to it; this he had an experience of for forty years past: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; murmuring at his providences, Exo 16:8 , speaking against his ministers, Exo 16:2 ; breaking his laws, particularly being guilty of idolatry, in making and worshipping the golden calf, Exo 32:8 ; and even now, as in Deu 31:21 , were imagining, forming, and framing in their minds something of the same kind, from the time of their coming out of Egypt unto this time they were now on the borders of Canaan; this had all along been their character; see Deu 9:7 , and how much more after my death? When he would be no more with them to instruct and advise them, to caution and reprove them, and to keep them in awe by his authority.