Read Deuteronomy 31:30-32:14, Song of Moses Revisited (1)

My Bible reading plan calls for once through the Bible each year.  I alter the order of the individual books of the Old and New Testaments.  Almost without exception, when I come to Deuteronomy and the Song of Moses in Ch. 32, I am moved.  It is powerful and instructive on many levels.  Almost always I will see some details I hadn’t noticed (or that I don’t remember noticing).  Such was the case recently.  I saw some things and immediately felt compelled to share them in this setting. 

We did a detailed study of Deut. 32 several years ago, posted on nine Saturdays from May 28 thru July 23, 2016.  (Blog: ronandcindy.blogspot.com.)  I encourage you to go there.  Our plan now is to take the Song in three days, about fifteen verses per day.  We will add some thoughts that we hope will be helpful.

Ø Briefly, here is the essence of the Song of Moses.  Israel is about to enter the Promised Land.  1) Israel will be blessed by God.  2) But Israel will turn away from God; she will not be grateful.  3) God will punish Israel, with fury, and the land will be desolate.  4) But God, for His Name’s sake, will not completely destroy Israel.  5) In the end, Israel will be saved, but through her apostasy and God’s grace many Gentiles will also be saved.

Ø 32:1-2: In our previous study we explained that we believe Deut. 32 is “The Song of Moses” referred to in Rev. 15:3-4.  Many commentators refer this to the Song that Moses and the people sang after the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex. 15).  We explained why we feel compelled that our view is better interpretation and that it presents a scenario that Israel and the Nations will see played out in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel (Rev. 10:7). 

In 32:1-2 we see something we had not noticed.  The Song begins calling the heavens and earth to hear the words of the Song.  This Song was specifically to be heard and learned by Israel.  Moses spoke the words of the Song to Israel.  But the Song is intended for all who are in heaven and earth.  In Rev. 15:3-4 the Song is being sung by earthly martyrs who are now in heaven.  It immediately precedes the pouring out of the final judgments (bowls of wrath).  It is meant to be heard on earth, from heaven.  It is a final call to those on earth to understand that God’s plan is about to be fulfilled.  Does this not also tell us today, that this is an important scripture?

Ø 32:3-4: As we write this post we are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, as it was called.  My historical context, as often happens, enables me to see things that might otherwise be hidden.  In these verses we see the God Israel has joined herself to, their “Rock.”  Meditate on this description of God in the context of the pandemic or other difficult situations you may be facing.

¨     The Song, from the outset, brings into our minds the name of the LORD.  We must be willing to bring God into our thoughts about our life situation.

¨     Pandemics are very great problems; but we must ascribe greatness to our God.  Otherwise we have no answer to the fear many people have.

¨     In Deut. 32 “Rock” is the primary description of God.  Throughout the Song and throughout her history Israel was pathetically fickle.  God is the Rock!

¨     God’s work is perfect.  He makes no mistakes.

¨     God is known for justice, truth, righteousness and uprightness.  Consider these attributes when you hear people speak of God in a time of national trial.  It is assumed by the world that there is something wrong with God when He lets things like this happen.  Take some time to meditate on His attributes.

We hear some of our national leaders saying that we should not let this crisis go to waste.  If we do not learn Christ, if we do not grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, then this crisis will have been wasted.