Moses last words

 Christ in all the scriptures

Moses benediction     Deuteronomy 33

Jacob gave a prophetic prediction of each of his sons in Genesis 49 before his death.  Moses does the same in Deuteronomy 33.  Jacob, as their natural father, declares the good and the bad that would be their earthly lot.   Moses, as their spiritual father, blesses each tribe before his death, previewing only their heavenly blessing.   This benediction of Moses attributes their blessed position to the Lord who loved them (verses 1-5) and who would protect them and give them ultimate victory and satisfaction (verses 26-29).  In verses 6-23 we have the blessing on each tribe.  They are, each and every one of them a blessed people by the power and presence of God among them.  This is a reminder of the Omniscience, and the Omnipresence, and the Omnipotence, of the God of Israel.  Those of us who have come into relationship with God, through the agency of Israel, are similarly blessed.  He knows all about us, He protects us, He saves us, and enriches us with astonishing privilege.

A careful reading of this amazing chapter suggests that it was written by another (possibly Joshua) after Moses death.  The message is that we are a blessed people because of who God is, and what He has done, and what He will do.

The key to this chapter is the title, "Jeshurun" (v5) and "the God of Jeshurun" (v26).  We have studied this word before, but it bears repetition, as it is the greatest theme for all mankind.  Jeshurun is God's term of endearment toward His people.  It means the "upright ones", those whom God has made right in His sight.  The New Testament equivalent is "the justified ones".  It comes from a Hebrew root meaning straight, which is the meaning of justification.  They were anything but straight in practice, but God has justified them and He will finish the work to perfection.  The word appears 4 times in scripture-Deuteronomy 32v15; 33v5; 33v26-27; Isaiah 44v1-2.  Each time it appears in a poetic setting, and always portraying His covenant promises.   He uses this term to describe His judicially perfect, if practically imperfect, people.   Readers should consult these four references.  We must ponder this a little more, as the chapter ends with "a people saved by the Lord".  This is expounded in the New Testament, particularly in Romans chapter 5.  We have to understand that no moral change takes place within us, when first saved.  We are judicially perfect, while still morally imperfect.  The moral change will take place between the point of salvation throughout life until we are glorified.  Consider the wonder of this, that God has declared us righteous, and He will fully sanctify us to live in His presence forever.  The word in Romans 5v19 is that "by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous".  This is "Jeshurun", a people right with God, by Divine love and mercy, and through the one act of obedience of Christ at Calvary.  The word for made is constituted, that is God views them now as saints instead of sinners.  We are constituted righteous before Him, and nothing can alter that position.  Consider what this means, according to Romans chapter 8:

1)  We, with true Israel, will be glorified...Romans 8v30.  Glorified is yet future but it is in the past tense, it has already happened in the mind of God!

2) God is for us and therefore no one can be against us...Romans 8v31.  In our sins God was against us (Romans 1v18), but now He is for us, with all the resources of heaven at His disposal on our behalf!

3) Because He gave His most precious person, His own Son, to save us from our sins, He will also "with Him freely give us all things"! Romans 8v32.  Since He has done the greater, He will also do the lesser, and supply all our material needs.

4) No one will lay any charge against us, not even the arch accuser Satan...Romans 8v33. This is because it is God who justifies and no one can countermand His word!

5) No one can condemn us, in terms of punishment of an eternal nature, because it is Christ who died and rose again, and lives to intercede for us from the throne of heaven...Romans 8v34.

6) No one can separate us from  the love of Christ, not persecution, not anything in life or death, not principalities or powers, not time or eternity, nothing above us or beneath us, nothing in all existence...Romans 8v35-39.

This is Jeshurun, a people loved by the Lord, protected by the Lord, an upright people whom God has made perfect!  May this high honour be reflected in our lives in response to such grace!  This is how Moses saw the people of God, despite their waywardness.  He knew that God would preserve them.

A word of caution.  What we delight to apply to ourselves as righteous people, we must also apply it to every other believer, for they are also right with God.  The practise of this would prevent many grievous situations which can arise.

 

 

Moses blessing on Israel

 Christ in all the scriptures

Moses the man of God   Deuteronomy 33v1

"And this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death".

This is the first occurrence of the term "man of God" in scripture, and it is interesting to consider its meaning.  Abraham was called "the friend of God"-James 2v23 and Isaiah 41v8-and Israel, Moses, and Job and others called "the servant of God".  The Holy Spirit, who inspired the writing of holy scripture, presents Moses as the man of God, at the end of his life.  Many others will be so called throughout, the last mention being in 2nd Timothy 3v17, and we must consider the meaning of this unique title, as a prelude to the blessing of Moses on the tribes of Israel before his death.   Let us discover who were assigned this title, and learn what such a unique term entails.  Clearly it does not apply to every person of faith, but, as we shall see, it is open to all believers, both men and women.  

Moses the man of God.  Deuteronomy 33v1; Joshua 14v6; Ezra 3v2; Psalm 90 in the superscription.  Moses was a reluctant, but powerful leader of God's people who was characterised by his faithfulness to God (Numbers 12v7; Hebrews 3v2 andv5).  He was God's man for the time who established the truth of God and encouraged obedience to Him.

Unnamed man of God.  1st Samuel 2v17.  This man confronted the spiritual leader, Eli the High Priest concerning his abuse of power in high office.  This man is not named, so we don't need to be famous to speak for God.  He delivered the message of God without fear or favour.

Samuel man of God.  1st Samuel 9v6-20.  He is described as "an honourable man: all that he saith cometh surely to pass".  Also in v9, any person who wanted to inquire of God was formerly called a seer or a prophet, a person of wisdom, who could predict the future.  He was a person to whom people came for understanding.  No less than the future king of Israel (Saul) sought out Samuel.

Unnamed man of God from Judah.  1st Kings 13  Condemned the worship of Jeroboam, but entreated  the Lord on his behalf.  Faithful to God, near to God, but compromised with a false prophet and came under Divine discipline.  The best of men are imperfect, and he lost his place on this earth.

Elijah man of God.  1st Kings 17v24  Elijah secured provision for a widow woman and restored her son to life when he died.

Elisha man of God.  2nd Kings 4 and 5  Acted promptly in the trauma of the Shunamite woman, then cured the Syrian commander of his leprosy.  Positively active in times of need and successful in healing powers for God.  Also active in healing in 2nd Kings 8.5v8   Cured Naaman, captain of Syria's armies of leprosy, when called by the king of Israel for help.  Elisha proved dependable in a time of crisi

David man of God.  Nehemiah 12v24-36  David, the beloved of the Lord, wayward in his youth, talented in music, described as "a man after God's heart"; great prowess in battle for he never lost an external battle and his throne is decreed to be eternal with great David's greater Son, Jesus, to occupy it forever.   

Unnamed man of God,  2nd Chronicles 25v1-10  An unnamed man of God approached the king of Israel and warned him against going to war assisted by Ephraim, with whom the Lord was angry.  Amaziah, the king, heeded the warning, won a great victory but then departed from the Lord personally.  The intervention of the man of God prevented wholesale defeat for the nation.

The term continues into the New Testament

Timothy  man of God.  1st Timothy 6v11-12  "Thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses".  The man of God lives by the maxim, FLEE, FOLLOW, FIGHT!  He/she lives for the things of eternity.

Open to all to be a man of God.  2nd Timothy 3v16/17  Regulated by holy scripture, mature, ready for every good work as enabled by God.  This applies to women as to men, for the bible records godly women, some known, some unknown, but all known to God.  Notable examples are Sarai, Hannah, Deborah, Ruth, Abigail, Esther in the Old Testament.  In the New Testament we read of Elizabeth, Mary, Anna, Priscilla, and many others, some known, and some lesser known.. They are all known in heaven.

Thinking of all these men and women of God, we understand what heritage we have.  Taking the broad sweep of them all, it appears the term, "man of God", implies maturity, authority, approachability, loyalty, reliability, activity, bravery, and integrity, and much more.  

The man of God accepts and declares God's authority in a world where His authority is largely ignored.  He/she is not defined by earthly success, or strength, or style.  They are defined by God who owns them, commissions them, and speaks through them.  They are set apart, not perfect; they are devoted not passive.  They are vessels through whom God speaks, and loves, and leads.  They do not require the approval of men, though it is pleasing if it comes.  Instead they seek only God's approval (2nd Timothy 2v15).  When they speak it is as the oracles of God; when they serve, it is of the ability God gives, and with a view to the glory of God who enables them.  They seek not self glory, but the glory of God.  It is the greatest occupation on earth!

As always, there is one perfect man of God, the man Christ Jesus, who spoke the words of God, who demonstrated the character of God, when He was here.  Scripture oozes with superlatives for Him.  Would we aspire to be a little like Him, and deserve, ultimately. the honour of being called a man/woman of God?    

The call to mount Nebo

 Christ in all the scriptures

God calls time on Moses    Deuteronomy 32v44-52

We are slightly saddened, at the end of this song, to find that Moses was denied entrance to the land.  We must consider the issues of the Divine denial in the life of this faithful man.  Deuteronomy ends with a sterling tribute to the man Moses-"And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face"-34v10.  Moses was closer to God than any man before or after his life.  He stands in the course of history as the man who was "Faithful in all God's house" (Hebrews 3v1-5), and is contrasted only with Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus Himself.

His life was characterised by three periods of 40 years: 1) in the palace of Egypt where he was "learned in all the wisdom of Egypt, and was mighty in words and in deeds" (Acts 7v22).  2) in self imposed exile in the backside of the desert in Midian.  There he learned the benefits of family life, the care of wandering sheep, and, above all, the glory of God.  3) leading the people of God from bondage in Egypt, and through "the waste howling desert", where his patience was tried to the limit.  And now we come to the end, the song, and the blessing, and the final farewell.  So great was Moses, God did not allow Israel to witness his death or burial, he died on mount Nebo and his body was buried by the archangel Michael, away from public view (Jude v9).

He was very close to God;      Exodus 33v11, "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend"; Numbers 12v7-8, "My servant Moses is not so who is faithful in all mine house.  With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?; Deuteronomy 34v10, "Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face".

He was faithful to instruct God's people in all the ways of God; Deuteronomy 32v44-45, "And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea (Joshua) the son of Nun.  And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to Israel".  Like Paul, the apostle, in the New Testament, who wrote "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God"-Acts 20v27.

Moses was denied entry to the promised land due to one transgression in the service of God, in an otherwise faultless 40 years of service.  "Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel".  The story is given in Numbers 20v1-17.  This happened at a time when his sister died and was buried.  The unrelenting criticism of God's people troubled him.  The Lord told him to "Speak ye unto the rock before their eyes.   In exasperation, in a fit of anger, he called them rebels and struck the rock with his rod twice.  The water flowed abundantly, but Moses had disgraced himself in public, and he would pay the price.  We might well understand his frustration, but he vented it openly and dishonoured the Lord.  Apart from the obvious display of anger, which never works in Divine service, Moses spoiled the type that pointed to Christ.  He is the Rock (1st Corinthians 10v4) who was struck to save mankind, but God will never strike Him again.  In the words of the hymn, "God will not payment twice demand  Once at my bleeding surety's hand  And the other one at mine!"  We find in the Old Testament God is very protective of the types of Christ, and striking the rock twice was wrong.

There are two issues that spring from this:

1) If a godly man like Moses suffered loss for one uncharacteristic demeanour, where does that leave the rest of us?  Such discipline calls for humility on our part, for there are few (if any) servants of the calibre of Moses among us.

2) Moses' failure points to the One servant who never failed, and who at all times represented the glory of God, even in the midst of treachery and suffering.  Isaiah points us to the perfect servant in chapter 42v1-4, 

"Behold my servant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon Him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.  "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.  A bruised reed He shall not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.  He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth, and the isles shall wait for His law".

Even the best of men fail; the Bible points to the only perfect servant of God, by whom all service is measured.  May we read this book to trace the wonders of Christ Jesus, and learn to follow Him as we can.  It amazing to think that one day we will all be conformed to the image of His Son!" (Romans 8v29 with 1st John 3v2).  God speed the day! and in the meantime may we follow His example, for He lived for God in this world, moving amongst sinners. He was sinless, and He overcame horrific injustice against Him, and lives now to intercede on our behalf.  The apostle Peter wrote:

"Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow in His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth"-1st Peter 2v21/22.

The writer to the Hebrews, in chapter 11,traces the deeds of the great men and women of the past, and we could add to that list from the many worthies of the present age, including those in our time.   He classes them as "so great a cloud of witnesses" in chapter 12v1.  He continues, "Looking unto Jesus...";  I'm told that the force of the word looking, is "looking away, from these great witnesses, UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of faith (that is all faith).  There have been many great men and women who served God, and many still do.  Yet they all failed in one aspect or another, and they were encouraged to look away from men unto Jesus who began the work and will finish it to perfection.

This is the perspective of the bible, to fix our gaze on Christ, God's perfect servant, who never failed, and who will bring the work to its glorious conclusion.

Rejoice O ye nations with His people

 Christ in all the scriptures

The Glory of God      Deuteronomy 32v26-43

The song reaches its crescendo with the glory of God.  The conclusion is in verse 43:

"Rejoice O ye nations with His people: for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will render vengeance to His adversaries, and will be merciful to His land, and to His people".

This is quoted in Romans 15v10, "Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people", and linked with Psalm 117v1,"Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud Him all ye people".   Thus the warnings and the blessings of this song apply way beyond the time of Moses, to the present day and beyond.  Out of a seemingly impossible situation, where Gentile apathy was rife, and Jewish apostasy had reached the lowest level, God will, in glorious mercy, blend together a truly worshipping people, from Jew and Gentile, for His glory.  This wonder is fully expounded in Romans 9-11, particularly in chapter 11v30-36, which is quoted below: writing to Gentiles he says, 

"For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy, through their unbelief: even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy (the mercy shown by God to you) they also might obtain mercy.  For God hath concluded all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to whom be glory forever.  Amen."

God's glory is His mercy, and abundant grace dispensed toward Jew and Gentile, creating "one new man"-one new humanity-to the praise of His glory.  The depths to which His chosen nation had sunk (which is outlined in these verses) serve to magnify the heights of God's glory, who overcomes all in astonishing power.  The apathy of Gentiles is met with Divine mercy; the apostasy of His people is turned with Divine 

Such was their departure, that the Lord considered abandoning them altogether (32v26/27), and it was only the reputation of His name amongst infidels that caused Him to have mercy.  Exodus 33v7-14 reveals that it was only on the intercession of Moses the people were spared from annihilation.  Since this is the song of Moses he did not want to exalt himself before the Lord, so he passes over his role in this and said the Lord changed His mind.

Perspective for the future should regulate present actions  

"For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.  O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!"-v28/29

As Jesus said, "Wisdom is justified of her children"-Matthew 11v19.  It is defined by what we are, not what we profess to be.  At this stage Israel was devoid of wisdom.

They will be victorious against overwhelming odds in the power of God

"How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their rock had sold them. and the Lord had shut them up?-v30

Paul wrote in Romans 8v31, "If God be for us, who can be against us?"  He has powers over every human institution, and works everything for our good.  Defeat comes when we forsake Him and He withdraws His favour.  There is a difference between relationship with God, and fellowship with God.  Relationship never changes but fellowship can.  This important distinction is discussed in John's 1st epistle.

Verses 31-36 are difficult to interpret, where He is comparing His people to the heathen worshippers.  Note, from v31 He speaks of "them" and "us"-"For their rock is not our Rock...our enemies...their vine...their grapes...their wine...".  He reveals the character of heathen worship as corrupt, and corrupting.  Also in v34 He is speaking of terminal judgment, when the "treasures of the Lord" will be vented upon the ungodly (refer Romans 2v5) where rejecters are said to "treasure up wrath against the day of wrath".  Is it possible that God's people will be judged with the heathen? for remember they have followed other gods.  The only answer seems to be that not all of God's ethnic people are His spiritual people, and this is made clear in Romans 9v6, "They are not all Israel which are of Israel".  Those born into that chosen nation will perish with all the heathen who reject the true God. Solemn as all this is, we are faced with the God who will judge the world in righteousness, and that judgment begins with His people.  The corruption of the heathen is applied to Israel in scriptures like Isaiah 1, which reveal the remnant only will be saved, also Isaiah 6, and many others.  The reality is that in any community of God's professing people there will be real and unreal.  God will judge all sinners whether Jew or Gentile, but will have mercy on all His people who repent.  

Vengeance and vindication      32v35-43

These twin truths stand side by side in these verses and proclaim the awesome glory of God. Vengeance and reward is repeated twice in v35 and 41; unmitigated vengeance on evil and righteous reward for good.  This is the very essence of His glory.  He will avenge His enemies, and vindicate His people.

"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due course: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them shall make haste.  For the Lord shall judge His people, and repent Himself for His servants, when He seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up or left"-v35/36.

Glory to the God of matchless power and blessing   32v37-43   

He stands alone as the only God of the universe, He is without a rival in all existence.  He reigns supreme for all eternity, and He will destroy all enemies.  He will create a truly worshipping people from the nations and from His people Israel, whom He used to bring salvation to the world.  The hymn by James Allen (1761), now sung in many churches, captures the theme, and my prayer is that this will be our song from this day forward.

"Glory to God on high  Let heaven and earth reply! Praise praise His name! Angels His love adore  Who all our sorrows bore  And saints cry evermore  Worthy the Lamb!

All those around the throne Cheerfully join in one  Praising His name  We who have felt His blood  Sealing our peace with God  Sound His dear fame fame abroad  Worthy the Lamb!

Join all the ransomed race  Our Lord and God to bless  Praise praise His name  In Him we will rejoice  Making a cheerful noise  Shouting with heart and voice  Worthy the Lamb!

Though we must change our place  Yet we will never cease  Praising His name  To Him our tribute bring  Hail Him our gracious King  And without ceasing sing  Worthy the Lamb!"

Divine retribution

 Christ in all the scriptures

God's government   Deuteronomy 32v19-26

The song declares the greatness of God (v1-4); the goodness of God (v5-18); the government of God (v19-26); and the glory of God (v27-44).

The government of God in this world is a truly awesome subject. and, within that, the government of His people is a solemn reality.  Before we consider the verses before us, because of the severity of the language, we must understand that sin amongst His people is particularly odious to Him.  God is angry with the sins of the lawless every day (Psalm 7v11), and the same verse says He judges the righteous.  The sins of God's people are singularly hurtful to Him.  Israel, a righteous people, whom God had made right with Himself, (as implicit in the title Jeshurun-32v15), have sinned grievously, and moved God to anger against them.  This is a solemn principle, that we can be judiciously right with God, but morally delinquent.  The character of God is such that He must act, in such circumstances, in ways that can be severe in the extreme.

The apostle Peter, citing Ezekiel 9v6, revealed that "Judgment must begin at the house of God"-1st Peter 4v17.  The God who will judge the world in righteousness, must judge His own in this life.  As we have said before, He cannot condone in the church what He will condemn in the world.  Sin, in all its forms, if practised by His people will be met with chastisement.  This subject is explained in Hebrews 12v5-13.  The sanctions will be proportionate to the evil committed, they will be administered out of love for us, and with a view to our eternal profit.  Understanding all this prepares us to properly interpret the solemn verses that follow, and enable us better to live in the reverential fear of the Lord.

"And when the Lord saw it He abhorred them, because of the provoking of His sons and of His daughters"-32v19 Such was the nature of their sin, it provoked the Lord to anger.  Note that sons and daughters were complicit in the departure.  The word abhorred suggests, not only the feeling aroused by the actions, but the resolve to act against them.

"And He said I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward (perverse) generation, children in whom is no faith"-32v20.  At first reading this seems to be contradictory to the oft repeated statement, that God will never leave or forsake them-refer Deuteronomy 31v6v8; Joshua 1v5; 1st Samuel 12v22; 1st Kings 6v13; Psalm 94v14; Hebrews 13v5.  The meaning of that is different to what is here; this is a temporary withdrawal because of offending sin.  He will never leave us in the sense of abandoning us, but He must withdraw His favour when we wilfully sin.  Not only will He withdraw His nearness, He will act against them, by setting them aside and turning to the Gentiles, which He has done in the present time.

"They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God (by following other gods): they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: : and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation"-32v21.

This verse is cited in Romans 10 v19, in the context of God temporarily setting aside His people, and blessing Gentile nations, which is happening right now!  This setting aside of Israel is not permanent, but remedial, and only the true Israel will repent.  he set them aside because they set Him aside.  The law of retribution is clearly stated in scripture, that we suffer the same as we give out.

"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap"-Galatians 6v7.

"Judge not that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again"-Matthew 7v1-2.

The same for a community as for an individual: the same toward God as toward men.

The strong language in verses 22-25 reflects God's abhorrence of sin, particularly in the lives of those He has blessed.  God is utterly opposed to sin, particularly the sin of idolatry.  He will rid the universe of all sin, He will oppose it in all its horrors, He will destroy the sinners who continue in it, and there will be no respect of persons.

The early Church was plagued with the doctrine of Antinomianism, which supposes that because of the grace of God, there is no longer any moral standard.  Paul referred to this in Romans 6v1-2 "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  God forbid!"  Jude said there were professing believers practising sin openly, in his words, "turning the grace of God into lasciviousness" (the liberty to practice any evil)-Jude v4.  These were people in churches who had perverted the doctrine of grace, holding that the grace of God allowed license to sin.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

This section serves as a warning to all believers today.  God will oppose sin in our lives with measures of restraint known only to Him.  Those measures can be severe, as witness of the history of Israel in the present age proclaims.  This is the product of lightly esteeming the grace of God.  He put away sin at great cost to Himself; He did not do so to enable us to continue in it.

  

  

 

The kindness of God our Saviour

 Christ in all the scriptures

The goodness of God   Deuteronomy 32v5-18

Moses, having established the greatness of God, proceeds to declare His goodness.  It is fair to say that greatness and goodness don't always go together.  With God, however, His goodness is part of His greatness, and is worthy of our praise.  Goodness could be defined in relation to the unworthiness of the object, and the magnitude of the grace bestowed.  The scriptures establish the goodness of God amidst the ingratitude of men.  Paul spoke, in Romans 2v4, of the riches of His goodness "Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness, and forbearance, and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"  Scriptures abound with references to His goodness:  some examples...

Exodus 34v6  "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth".

Psalm 23v6  "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever".

Psalm 34v8 "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him".

Psalm 145v9  "The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works".

Matthew 7v11  "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good gifts to them that ask Him?"

James 1v17  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow cast by turning".

Indeed, Jesus said that God is the very essence of good, that "...there is none good but one, that is God"-Mark 10v18.  He is the standard of goodness in contrast to which the relative goodness of man is vastly inferior.  We could say that the term "good" and the title God are synonymous.  

Nowhere is this principle illustrated more than with His dealings with Israel.  The perfection and excellency of God are in sharp contrast to the perversity and treachery of Israel.  These are the redeemed people of God, but they have forsaken Him, pursuing other gods.  This song is prophetic in character and declares the propensity of a redeemed people to forsake the Lord; the present church is no different if we read the New Testament warnings correctly.  The seven churches in Revelation 2/3 prophesy that the history of Israel will be repeated in the churches.  Note what is said about Israel in these verses Deuteronomy 32v5-18, in the light of God's grace toward them:

They have gone astray   "They have corrupted themselves, their spot (blemish) is not that of His children: a perverse and crooked generation"32v5

Their behaviour is such they do not act as the children of God, rendering them corrupt, perverse and crooked.  This is a withering condemnation of a people who have been the object of His grace.  Paul paints the picture of what should be in Philippians 2v15, "That ye might be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world".  There the crooked and perverse nation is the world; the sons of God should be the opposite, not following the ways of the world.  These are strong words indeed, and are a warning to the people of God in every generation.

They were ungrateful    "Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise?  is not He thy father that hath bought thee? hath He not made thee, and established thee?"-32v6

Requite just means to pay back.  God, as a Father, bought them out of slavery, at great cost to Himself, and this is how they pay Him back?  Before we condemn them, what are we doing to, in some small way, repay His blessings?  The Psalmist asks the question that should be the watchword of all the redeemed, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?"-Psalm 116v12.  The New Testament adds weight to this, "Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's"-1st Cor. 6v20. Redemption means much more than deliverance from sin's bondage; it also means we are His possession

They became self-centred instead of God centred    "Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered (surrounded with material benefits); then he forsook God who made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation"-32v15

Jeshurun is God's term of endearment toward His people.  It means the "upright ones", those whom God has made right in His sight.  The New Testament equivalent is "the justified ones".  It comes from a Hebrew root meaning straight, which is the meaning of justification.  They were anything but straight in practice, but God has justified them and He will finish the work to perfection.  The word appears 4 times in scripture-Deuteronomy 32v15; 33v5; 33v26-27; Isaiah 44v1-2.  Each time it appears in a poetic setting, and always portraying His covenant promises.   He uses uses this term to describe His judicially perfect, if practically imperfect people.   Readers should consult these four references.  They had plentiful food and clothing, but they did not ascribe it to the Lord, and they forgot Him and lightly esteemed their salvation.  This led to idolatry, substituting the God of glory for lesser objects of worship.  The seventh church at Laodicea fell the same way, when they pursued material riches instead of the Lord.  It is an ever present danger, that we forget the Giver and focus on the gifts, and we are living in similar conditions today.  It is a day of material prosperity, and of spiritual poverty.  The call is to overcome even in that situation, and return to the Lord.

In contrast to the folly of His people, God's faithfulness to them remains undiminished: in the words of Paul, "If we are unfaithful, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself!"-2 Timothy 2v13.  Consider His ways with them:

"Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations..."  32v7.

At this point Israel's relationship with God now spans many centuries,  From Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Joseph, and beyond, a family of seventy persons has become a nation with several millions, even through turbulent times,  God's faithfulness to them, and prosperity of them is now historical.  Preservation through slavery, deliverance from Egypt's bondage, sustenance through 40 years of desert conditions, and victory over strong enemies, has been their portion.

"When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel" 32v8.

This is an astonishing revelation, that when God divided the habitation of nations (Genesis chapters 10/11), He first allocated the land to Israel, knowing their number, then gave others their portion beyond that!  This land that they were about to inhabit, was allocated to them after the scattering from Babel, and the allocation was "according to the number of the children of Israel".  This land, which is being disputed to this present day, is, in biblical terms, "the glory of all lands"-Exodus 3v8v17; Ezekiel 20v6v15.  The land given by the Most High to Israel, is the best real estate on earth in its splendour and its abundance.  Perhaps this is why it is the subject of so much contention.  The Most High will have the last word on this issue.

God's portion   "For the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance" 32v9   Israel are a very special people, and through them God will have an elect people vfrom all the nations on earth.  We often major on our inheritance but the bible speaks of God's inheritance through us.  A major biblical subject-refer Psalm 33v12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance"; Ephesians 1v18, "...the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints".  We think of inheritance in terms of money or land, God's inheritance is the saints, all of them for His glory.

God's pity   "He found them in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led them about, He instructed them, He kept him as the apple of His eye"  32v10. 

He bypasses the deliverance from Egypt to focus on His preservation of them in a wasteland over many years.   He led them, taught them, and kept them as His special people.  The term "apple of His eye" is well known to mean those cherished, and deeply regarded above others.  The human eye is most sensitive to the touch, and the apple of the eye is the most sensitive of all.  The Lord of hosts says through the prophet Zechariah, "After the glory hath He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye"-Zechariah 2v8.

God's protection   "As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him"  32v11/12

Witness the total care and protection over her young, so the Lord preserves His own.  This care will continue well into the future, as in a day yet to come, when Israel is under threat, scripture uses the same language, "And to the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time. and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent"-Revelation 12v14.  The eagle is a powerful biblical principle, portraying God's protection, and swift deliverance from danger. References are: Exodus 19v4; Job 39v27-30; Isaiah 40v31; Jeremiah 48v40; Ezekiel 17v3.

God's provision  "He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and He made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan (the best of meat), and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape"   32v13-14

They FEASTED IN A WILDERNESS at the hand of a God whose goodness knew no bounds!  What could they expect in the land?!  This is what God did with an erring, ungrateful people; what will He do with a sanctified, glorified people?  Let our song be to the goodness of the God we adore.

 

  

The perfection of God Almighty

 Christ in all the scriptures

The perfection of God   Deuteronomy 32v4

The primary purpose in studying God's word is to increase our knowledge of Him.  This verse proclaims the integrity of the God who has saved us.  Moses opens the song with a reminder of His perfect attributes.  Present day songs like "Rock of ages", and "The Solid rock! immortalise the metaphor.

"His work is perfect".  Perfect (tamim) is "complete". comprehensive, all-sided so as to cover all aspects.  Everything He does is crafted to perfection, taking into account the purpose of its creation.  Genesis 2v2, "On the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made".   Again in Psalm 8v3/4 David ponders the wonder of creation, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him?"  From the precision of the natural world, we move to the realm of the spiritual world.  There we see the perfection of the new creation, as Isaiah pens it, "And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever"-Isaiah 32v17.  What about the work of God in transforming individual lives, as Paul writes in Philippians 1v6, "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ".   Jesus defined the work of God today as the saving faith of believers, mas in John 6v29 "This is the work of God, that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent".  The great work of world evangelisation will go on to perfection when believers are glorified in His presence.  His work in turning rogue regimes around to begin to worship Him and befriend His people is also stated in scripture: Isaiah 19v24-25, "Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance".  The point of the song is this; why would you seek any lesser gods, when your God's work is perfect?

"All His ways are judgment".   Not only are the deeds of His work perfect, but the manner in which He performs everything is perfect.  His ways are not our ways, because they are higher than our ways.  Judgment is mishpat in Hebrew and refers to decisions, verdicts pronounced in given situations.  Every act and decision made by God is fair to man and just in accordance with His infallible knowledge.  He does not show favouritism, and treats all individuals equitably.  He judges people according to their works (a repeated phrase in the bible-Psalm 62v12; Proverbs 24v12; Matthew 16v27; Romans 2v6; 1st Corinthians 3v8; 2nd Corinthians 5v10; Colossians 3v25; 1st Peter 1v17; Revelation 20v12-13).  For good or bad, we will all be rewarded according to our works.  The believer can rely on God's guidance to lead them through life's complexities on their pathway to glory.  The onus is on us to honour His ways.

"A God of truth and without iniquity".   His words are truth, unmixed with error or any form of deceit.  He never utters half-truths, He speaks the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (as we humans are to declare in a court of law).  There is no double meaning in His words, there is no hidden agenda.  He never utters idle words, all that He says will come to pass.  In a world full of untruths, and deceit, marked by malicious slander, it is refreshing to know there is One whose word is absolute and trust worthy, and whose intentions toward us are good.  He does not use prevarication, when He speaks, nor change His words with time, as is rife in our present world.  "Forever O Lord thy word is settled in heaven"-Psalm 119v89 is the biblical description of God's truth, which, like Himself, never changes.  The Bible Hub translates this as "Your word , O Lord is everlasting, it is firmly fixed in the heavens".  Complex, at times, it is, but it is never devious, and we can rely on it as truth that will never alter.

"Just and right is He".   In a shifting world, morally and culturally speaking, is there a standard we can all depend upon?  We hear the constant cry that "he or she is always right", in a derogatory sense, to minimise personal embarrassment.  God sets the standard for right and wrong, and He spells out the consequences for both.  The course of time proves, without exception, that God is right all the time, and if we follow His way we will be blessed.  The essence of this is to be found in the real meaning of the biblical word "righteousness".  This is a word of massive proportions, and is the state of moral perfection to which the universe is heading.  Righteousness means that God will make everything right that is wrong in His sight.  He will compensate for loss in this life, that was suffered through human prejudice and malice.  He will judge infidels according to their works  Peter sums it up in 2nd Peter 3v10-13, which says that the day of God is coming when everything on earth and heaven will pass away, and the new heavens and new earth will be characterised by permanent righteousness, the exact opposite of the unrighteousness that prevails today.  Scriptures have their say:

"For the word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth.  He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord"-Psalm 33v4.

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; salvation and glory and honour, and power unto the Lord our God: for true and righteous are His judgments..."-Revelation 19v1-2.

He is right, for everything is measured according to His own perfect standard.  He is just, for we will all receive what is fair, what we deserve. 

His work, His ways, His words, His wisdom...all perfection; and this will be universally accepted, this will be our eternal song.  He will make everything right, let the wonder of this inspire us all.  I recall an exchange with a work colleague, who was the grandmaster in a local Masonic order.  We had our differences, but we engaged in regular discussions about God.  One day he said to me, "George, why do you believe in God?"  I replied, "Because I believe in justice, and only God can make that a reality".  Is my friend a believer?  I don't know, as we have lost contact, but now he knows the truth.  Will I meet him in glory?  I hope so, as I hope to meet all of you reading these words.

Christ the Rock

                                               Christ in all the scriptures

He is the Rock         Deuteronomy 32.

This significant title of Deity is repeated 5 times in the song (v4, v15, v18, v30-31).  In total it appears more than 30 times throughout scripture, and compels us to understand its meaning. What a rock is in contrast to the shifting sands of the desert, God is to His people.  It promotes thoughts of His majesty, His stability, His dependability, His surety, His consistency, His integrity  It says more, for the picture is of a spiritual rock that followed them throughout their wilderness journey.  He sent them refreshing life-giving water from the rock as well as sweet honey, and it became a refuge from the storms and from their enemies.  We can do no better than quote the many scriptures illustrating the intriguing study of God our Rock.

Deuteronomy 32v4  He is the God of integrity. and moral perfection; "He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He".  Each one of those attributes deserves separate study.

Deuteronomy 32v15 "He is the Rock of our salvation" and, although Israel departed from Him and lightly esteemed Him, yet He is the Rock of ages upon whom we can all depend . The Church of Christ, in the present day, is built upon the Rock which is Christ.  The sum total of the might of Satan and evil will not prevail against it- Matthew 16v18.

Deuteronomy 32v18  He is Creator of all "Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee".  We are all the creatures of His hand and do well to remember that.

Deuteronomy 32v30-31  He is "Our Rock", enabling His people to achieve remarkable victories.  However when they forsake Him, He actively allows them to fail.  He is the indispensable basis for a victorious life.  All other so-called rocks are as nothing in comparison to Him.

2nd Samuel 22v2-3  He is our refuge in the midst of enemies,  "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; the God of my rock; in whom I will trust: He is my shield, and the horn (the power) of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour..."

Refer also 2nd Samuel 22v32 and v47; 23v3.  Psalm 18v2 and v31 and v46;  Psalm 19v14 (translated strength); Psalm 28v1; 31v2-3; Psalm 61v2; Psalm 62v2 and v7; Psalm 71v3; Psalm 78v35; Psalm 89v26; Psalm 92v15; Psalm 94v22; Psalm 144v1-2; Isaiah 17v10; Isaiah 26v4 (everlasting strength); Isaiah 30v29 (translated mighty-"the mighty one of Israel).

We turn over to the New Testament, and in 1st Corinthians 10v4 we read, "And did all drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them.....

..AND THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST!"

Powerful, stable, majestic, dependable, generous, loyal, merciful, holy.  This is our God.

Publish the name of the Lord

 Christ in all the scriptures

Ascribe ye greatness unto our God       Deuteronomy 32v3

"Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.  Our God He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment, a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He"-Deuteronomy 32v3/4.

It has been well said, that the community which loses the sense of the greatness of God, is a community on the slide.  Scripture abounds with the unparalleled, unrivalled, supremacy of the Lord.  The regular call is to magnify Him, not that we can make Him any greater, but we can magnify Him in our hearts and lives, and in the community where we are.  This is why Moses is so careful to communicate these sacred things in a positive way.  His mission is to "publish the name of the Lord", to accurately, and winsomely declare the name of God.  His name is His character and His reputation, and what follows is an exposition of that.  In present exaltation He has a name that is above every name, and in that name every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father; all this on earth, and in heaven, and under the earth-Philippians 2v9-11.  

Moses says, "I will publish the name of the Lord..."

Then he says "Ascribe ye the greatness unto our God".  His ministry was all about publishing the Lord's name, he says, you do the same!  The chapter is replete with Divine titles proclaiming the wonders of His name.  These titles are repeated throughout scripture, and have been enshrined in this song:

32v3 Lord=Jehovah (Heb. Yahweh, YHWH for short). Occurs 6519 times in scripture.  He is the eternal self-existing God who spans all time (translated in N/T "Who is, who was, and who is to come"-Revelation 1v4; 1v8; 4v8; 11v17; 16v5).  There is no time period when He is not Lord, and He is blessed for ever (Romans 1v25; 9v5), untarnished by the folly and failure of man.  This title is repeated in the song in 32v6, v9, v12, v19, v27v30, v36, as well as many thousands of times throughout scripture. 

32v3 God=Elohim (plural of Eloah) the supreme object of worship; later defined in N/T as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  God the three in one in absolute unity in essence, and harmony in action.  Occurs 2606 times.  First appears in Genesis 1v1, in which chapter the plurality is established, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness"-Genesis 1v26.  Confirmed in Genesis 11v7, "Let us go down..." and Isaiah 6v8, "...Who will go for us...?".  Diversity in unity is illustrated in the first verse of scripture, "In the beginning God (Elohim-plural) created (a singular act) the heaven and the earth".  We begin to understand the greatness of God, who made the heavens for the planets, the air for the birds, the seas for the fish, and the land for animals and a habitation for man and woman.  This He has sustained for thousands of years, and we are compelled to worship Him who has created, and who sustains such wonders.

32v4 The Rock=Tsur.  It is possible this gave rise to our word sure, which aptly describes the function of a rock...steady, stable, strong, dependable.  It is a title given to God over 30 times in the O/T and applied to Christ several times in the N/T (Matthew 16v18 and 21v42;  Acts 4v11; Romans 9v33; 1st Corinthians 10v4; 1st Peter 2v4, 6, and 7).  A modern expression is "He/she is my rock", and we all know what it means; in a treacherous world there are those on whom we can depend.  We can all depend on the Lord, in the words of Psalm 18v2, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower".

32v8 The Most High=Elyon.  Occurs 53 times in O/T. and refers to God's superior rank over everyone and every thing, and that for ever.  The first occurrence in Genesis 14v19 and 22, refers to Him as "the Possessor of heaven and earth".   Even Satan acknowledges Him as the Most High; in his arrogance, when he exalted himself above everything, including the earth, the stars, the clouds, the mount of the congregation, yet when he came to God, he said, "I will be like the Most High"-Isaiah 14v13-4.  There is no one higher than God.

God=Eloah, singular form of Elohim.  Occurs 52 times and twice in the chapter (v15 and 17).  While Elohim represents the majestic intensity and diversity in the Godhead, Eloah speaks of the unity and individuality of each member.  The emphasis is on monotheism and views the Godhead acting as one.  It is found mostly in the wisdom books of scripture, namely Job, Psalms, and Proverbs, and personalises God in times of suffering.  Elohim is concerned more with majesty and power.

God=El The diminutive form of Elohim and Eloah.  Occurs 245 times, and refers to the concentrated might and power of God.  The modern translations, including the KJV miss the riches of the Hebrew original of the titles of God.  Notable hybrids are EL Shaddai (Almighty God) and Immanuel (God with us).  This occurs 32v4, v12, v18, and v21.  Best translated as "the Strong One", in each context it appears.  There are no half measures with God.

The song bristles with the beautiful titles of God, and many more are revealed in scripture.  In song, in sermon, in worship, we publish the sacred name.  In His infinite greatness, He speaks of His people as being His portion, in a godless world.  In the desert, which is this world, He found them and He led them.  What the rocks are to the desert amid the shifting sands, He is to His people.  They are the apple of His eye, and He stirs them up as an eagle does her young (32v8-12).  Above everything else the greatness of our God should be our song for life, no matter the struggles of the way.  The study of the Bible is the study of God, and must be no less than that.  The apostle Paul said he "suffered the loss of all things for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord"-Philippians 3v8.  It is when we see this world as a spiritual desert that we learn His greatness and ascribe it to Him.

No doubt it was this chapter which inspired the hymn by the late John Nelson Darby, which aptly describes the thoughts of the song of Moses.  There are nine verses, (it begins with "Rise my soul thy God directs thee") we can quote one to illustrate:

"In the desert God will teach thee what the God that thou hast found.  Patient gracious, powerful, holy, all His grace shall there abound".

 

 

Moses the servant of the Lord

 Christ in all the scriptures

The rain and the dew  Deuteronomy 32v2

"My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as showers upon the grass".

The call to universal attention, makes this chapter of utmost importance in the revelation of God.  Constructed in the form of a song, there are four stanzas, each one proclaiming the character of God, the major topic of the Bible:

The greatness of God  32v3/4   The unrivalled majesty of His person

The goodness of God  32v5-14  His faithfulness to Israel, despite their unfaithfulness

The government of God  32v15-25  Judgment must begin at the house of God.  He chastises His people but mingles it with mercy

The glory of God  32v26-43  Ultimately He will suppress all enemies.

With such dignified subject matter in mind, Moses was concerned with the manner of his presentation.  Just as our lives should "adorn the doctrine", to use Paul's phrase, so thought should be given to the manner in which preachers and teachers present Divine truth.  This aspect is developed in scripture, as we are entrusted with sacred things that require reverential publication.  As always, our Lord Jesus was the supreme example.  Never had the people heard such ministry as came from His lips:

"They wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth"-Luke 4v22.

"They were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power"-Luke 4v32.

"Never man spake like this man"-John 7v46.

He spoke the truth of God with grace, as Psalm 45v2 says, "...grace is poured into thy lips". God is not in the business of alienating or repelling people, rather He is drawing all men to Himself (John 6v44 with John 12v32).

Those of us who are divine communicators today should follow His example:

"And moreover because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge: yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.  The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth"-Ecc. 12v9/10.  Paul wrote the following:

"The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth..."-2nd Timothy 2v24/25.

The manner of preaching is important if we are to enhance the understanding of the hearers.

Moses likens the doctrine to the raindrops on the plants and grass, and as the distillation of the dew to refresh the earth.  A close inspection of these reveal a very apt description of the action of the word of God.

Firstly we think of the dew distilling in the early morning light.  The process is of water vapour condensation as the warm air contacts the cold surfaces of earth.  The purpose is to heat up the cold surface and hydrate it for moisturisation.  This benign process of distillation falls silently upon the ground and aids the nourishment of plant life.  There is no sound, just gentle therapeutic provision.  How like the word of God!  It comes in silence, almost undetected until it begins to revive us from sleep.  I recall my late uncle William Neilly say, "The word of God does not burst upon us, it dawns upon us".  For those who have an ear for God's word it is a very real experience.  There is no need for loud mouth preaching, just gentle, powerful, transforming words.

Then he likens it to the raindrops.  God's word is similar to the rainfall upon earth.  Isaiah, in chapter 55v10/11, says, "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it".

The rains that fall are sent for production for the earth to deliver necessary food.  We, often have a negative attitude toward it, and, at times, it can be really uncomfortable and inconvenient.  However it produces necessary food, without which we would die.  Also, after a sustained period of rainfall, the earth is cleansed and the atmosphere is noticeably refreshed.  Like Moses, we are to see the word of God as vital to spiritual life, as the rain and the dew is to natural life.  That is how he viewed his doctrine, and so must we.

Yes, God's word can be challenging, but it is benign, and gentle, and productive, if we receive its wisdom, and adapt to its ways.  The doctrine is not for self glorification, but for the glory of God; it is not for self vindication but for the benefit of God's people

The song of Moses

 Christ in all the scriptures

A universal call to listen   Deuteronomy 32v1

"Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth the words of my mouth."

Moses has called the elders and officers of Israel to hear the words of God.  It would be their duty to pass the words to all the people including the children.  Beyond that, successive generations were to be instructed.  This is because the eternal God does not speak lightly, He never changes, He remains the same wonderful God throughout all ages.  His words have meaning.

The call was for Israel to hear, and to obey His words.  It is also  the call to the whole world, as He addresses heaven and earth as witnesses.  This is a perpetual theme in scripture, that God's chosen people were to be witnesses to all nations.

Deuteronomy 4v26  "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day...".

Deuteronomy 30v19  "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

Deuteronomy 32v1  "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth".

Psalm 50v6-7  "And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself. Selah (ponder that).  Hear, O my people, and I will speak, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God".

Isaiah 1v2  "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken...".

Jeremiah 2v12  "Be astonished, O ye heavens at this...".

Jeremiah 6v19  "Hear, O earth: behold I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of my thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it."

Jeremiah 22v29  "O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord".

When God is speaking, it is not only to servants like Moses, or to His chosen people Israel only; He is speaking to the whole world and all heaven and earth are witnesses!

This is reminiscent of Jesus, who, on seven separate occasions, proclaimed, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (refer Matthew 11v15; 13v9; 13v43; Mark 4v23; 7v16; Luke 8v8; 14v35).  On one occasion in Luke 9v44 He said "Let these sayings sink down into your ears!".

Seven times also He said the same to the churches, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 2v7; 2v11; 2v17; 2v29; 3v6;3v13; 3v22). God is speaking, He is speaking to His servants, He is speaking to the churches, He is speaking to the world.  He speaks collectively, but we are responsible individually to hear Him and respond.  It is of paramount importance to hear Him in the sense of heeding Him, for what He says will come to fruition.  God never speaks idle words, what He says will come to pass, and He will call heaven and earth as witnesses.  Scripture records:

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it"-Isaiah 55v10-11.

He spoke the universe into being, He speaks life into every believing soul.  He also speaks in judgment and reproof.  There will be things we don't want to hear. but because of who is speaking we must take heed for our good.  The One who created us knows us best. 

When Moses spoke his last words, they were the words of the Lord.  He was speaking to his people Israel, but he was also speaking to the whole world.  The call is to give ear to what He is saying.  Jesus said it to Israel, He said it to the apostles, He said it to the churches; He is saying it to the world.  His words are eternal life as well as earthly blessing.  The Lord is speaking to every one of us today.  Our response will decide our ultimate destiny.  Jesus said, "Verily, verily I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life"-John 5v24. 

The eternal God, who spans all time, who inhabits all space, who created all matter has, at His command, countless spirit beings who are greater in power and wisdom than man.  When He speaks they do His bidding, immediately, and without question.  He is apart and higher and greater than all creation, yet He deigns to woo us with love and mercy.  Such an one deserves our utmost attention.  He is seeking our wellbeing, He is speaking in the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, in the innermost recesses of our being.  Next we shall consider the manner of His speaking.

The swansong of Moses Deuteronomy 32

 Christ in all the scriptures

The power of song   Deuteronomy 32

Deuteronomy chapters 14-31 are a reiteration and practical application of the Mosaic covenant to Israel, as they settled in the promised land.  Believers, today are under the New covenant, and many of the ritualistic and ceremonial and cultural demands are not relevant to the Church.  Indeed, the New Testament is notable for its lack of specific ordinances and ceremonies, emphasising more the inward spiritual faith common to all believers.  However, there are abiding principles that apply; we are told not to conform to the world around us. Rather we are to exercise dignified pursuits and practices as the children of God.  

Chapter 32 brings us to the closing hours of Moses life on earth.  These are his final words after 40 years of faithful service.  His words are described as a song (31v30 and 32v44), that is they could be set to music.  God used songs to communicate His word, for often they are memorised more readily than sermons.  Songs can become powerful in spiritual life, as they readily come to mind at all times.  I recall walking alone, at a time of spiritual depression, that the Holy Spirit arrested me with the song written by Graham Kendrick...."the Servant King".  I didn't even know the words, but I hummed the tune, then, miraculously, sang the words.  I fell to my knees, and vowed before the Lord to serve Him with humility.  That was a turning point for me.  I hope these words do the same for you, I will never forget them:

"From heaven you came, helpless babe; entered our world, your glory veiled:                        Not to be served but to serve; and give your life that we might live!

This is our God, the servant King; He calls us now to follow Him                                          To bring our lives as a daily offering; of worship to the servant King." 

Scripture reveals that songs can be powerful sermons, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..."; also great aids to worship. "...singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"-Ephesians 5v19.

Moses is associated with three songs:  Exodus 15v1/2 and 15v21  A song of rejoicing.  The song extols the wonder of the Redeemer in v11, "Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?  Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"

In Deuteronomy 32v1-43, it is  A song of reproof  in which Moses is contrasting the faithfulness of God, in His utter dependability, with the fickleness of the people of Israel, in their forgetful and rebellious ways.  The message of the song is the publishing of the name of the Lord to ascribe greatness to Him-32v3.  Witness the powerful testimony of song today: the song "Amazing grace" is the third most known entity in the world, behind O.K. and Coca Cola.  At large sports events the hymn "Abide with me" is sung passionately.  The group, The Proclaimers, popularised the conversion song "Sunshine on Leith".  Who doesn't know "The Lord's my shepherd..."?  Through songs, the name of the Lord is known throughout the world.  The strains of their message continues every hour and in all places.

In Revelation 15v3-4, it is A song of retribution as the wrath of God is filled up against the godless nations of the earth; "And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name?  for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest".

As servants of God, the songs should reflect all the attributes of God, whether for blessing or cursing, that He might be glorified.  Moses is associated with every aspect of God's truth.  He was called the servant of the Lord at the point of his death (Deut. 34v5).  Like Paul after him, he "declared the whole counsel of God".  The greatest accolade is given to him in scripture, when alongside Christ Jesus he was "faithful in all God's house".  Also, in Revelation chapter 15 the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb are sung together by the vast congregation of the redeemed in heaven.  The message of the song was powerful, the messenger was equally powerful.  No one was closer to God than Moses, no one so declared God like Moses.  The testimony of the Holy Spirit of the man Moses is, "...there arose not a prophet since in Israel, like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face".   That is until the "prophet like unto Moses" came in the person of Christ Himself.  The two are again linked together in John 1v17, "The law was given by Moses, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ".

We will attempt to scale the heights and depths of this song, as we continue.  

Behold the severity of God

 Christ in all the scriptures

Test of loyalty    Deuteronomy 13

"The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul"-Deuteronomy 13v3 (refer also Deuteronomy 8v2).

The Lord puts to the test all who are of faith.  This is a major biblical truth.  The apostle James wrote, "...the trying of your faith worketh patience (endurance)"-James 1v3.  The apostle Peter said the same, "Salvation...wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations (trials): that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth..."-1st Peter 1v6/7.  Paul adds, "...we glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience (endurance).."-Romans 5v3.  One of the pictures used for this inevitable divine process with His people is of the testing of metals, the refining of gold and silver to remove impurities and enhance the value of the product.  The testing in this chapter is particularly severe, and the Lord brings three situations that will call for utmost loyalty from His redeemed people.

Deuteronomy 13v1-5  The emergence in their midst of false prophets and visionaries.

Deuteronomy 13v6-11  Ungodly influence from close family members.

Deuteronomy 13v12-18  Morally corrupt men, in the wider community, enticing many to separate in order to follow them.

In each case, the intention is to cause them to follow other gods.  Note the repetition of this in the chapter: v2 "let us go after other gods"; v6 "let us go and serve other gods"; v13 "let us go and serve other gods".  This was an enticement from three groups to compromise their devotion to God to follow other gods, in direct opposition to the first and second commandments.  The "harmless" suggestion to relax a little, risked bringing the wrath of God upon them.  God opposes all sin, but particularly the sin of idolatry.  Every form of idolatry is abomination in the sight of God.  As we have said before, idolatry is the practise of replacing God with things or people lesser than God.

In each case, the judgment is severe, so severe it would bring loud protests from our modern generations.  Yet the severity is to demonstrate how serious God considers idolatry.  The condemnation of God in this is stated as follows:

"That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God"-13v5.

"Thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is like thine own soul, entice thee secretly saying let us go and serve other gods...thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him, neither shalt thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him; but thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people..."-13v6-10.

"Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof with the edge of the sword.  And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shall burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the Lord thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again"-13v15/16.

The people of God were to effect this severe judgment themselves, so that they understood the Divine attitude to it.  This has been preserved in God's word that we might know the feelings of God in the matter.  We learn in Romans 1v18 that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold (suppress-hold down) the truth in unrighteousness".

The world is still full of idolatry, and the constant enticement is for believers to succumb to it.  However, there is no mandate to kill idolaters today.  That was given to the state of Israel so that men would know the severity of God's estimate of it, but there is no call for Christians today to do the same.  At worst the discipline is temporary excommunication from the church community as per 1st Corinthians 5.  What has happened, has God's attitude changed?  Not a bit of it, He still views idolatry as abomination.  What has changed is that Christ has come, and taken all the wrath of God against sin, and has satisfied the demands of God.  He has ushered in a "dispensation of grace" so that all who come to Him in Jesus are forgiven, and reconciled.  God is dealing with the world in grace, not by law, which has been fully met in Christ.

All of us, alive today, were born into the greatest age (the age of grace), when God is dealing with the world according to grace and not according to law.  This is because Christ fulfilled the law.  Were it otherwise, few of us would be still alive.  We should be thrilled that we were born in this privileged day, a day which has lasted almost 2000 years.  However this day will end soon, and the throne of grace (Hebrews 4v16), now operating in grace, will become the throne of wrath (Revelation 4v2-6), when God vents His anger on a rebellious world, and begins the process of exterminating all sin and idolatry.

We will never be called upon to display the loyalty demanded of Israel.  This is because Jesus gave His all for us to God.  Perhaps in light of that, we may decide to love Him more in practical reality.  There is no doubt, in the words of the song,..."Bye and bye, when I look on His face, beautiful face, thorn-shadowed face; bye and bye when I look on His face, I'll wish I had given Him more!.  More so much more....and so on.