Deuteronomy 32:26-52 The Song of Moses Continued God continues to describe the results of Israel’s sins
26-27 I could have said, “I’ll hack them to pieces, wipe out all trace of them from the Earth,”
Except that I feared the enemy would grab the chance to take credit for all of it, crowing, “Look what we did! God had nothing to do with this.”
Remember that when the Israelites created the golden calf, likely a copy of the Egyptian goddess Hathor, God told Moses He would wipe out the Israelites and use Moses to start a new nation. Moses then reminded God that if God wiped out the Israelites, other nations would claim God wasn’t powerful enough to take care of the Israelites and that was why He wiped them out. God relented because of Moses’ pleas. God doesn’t want anyone else taking credit for His work.
28-33 They are a nation of idiots, they don’t know enough to come in out of the rain. If they had any sense at all, they’d know this; they would see what’s coming down the road. How could one soldier chase a thousand enemies off, or two men run off two thousand, unless their Rock had sold them, unless God had given them away? For their rock is nothing compared to our Rock; even our enemies say that. They’re a vine that comes right out of Sodom, who they are is rooted in Gomorrah; their grapes are poison grapes, their grape-clusters bitter. Their wine is rattlesnake venom, mixed with lethal cobra poison.
The amazing thing is that frequently, the enemies of the Israelites have feared God more than the Israelites did. 1 Samuel 4:6-9 tells about the respect of the Philistines for God. “Then they learned that the Chest of God had entered the Hebrew camp. The Philistines panicked: “Their gods have come to their camp! Nothing like this has ever happened before. We’re done for! Who can save us from the clutches of these supergods? These are the same gods who hit the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues out in the wilderness. On your feet, Philistines! Courage! We’re about to become slaves to the Hebrews, just as they have been slaves to us. Show what you’re made of! Fight for your lives!”
34-35 Don’t you realize that I have my shelves well stocked, locked behind iron doors? I’m in charge of vengeance and payback, just waiting for them to slip up; and the day of their doom is just around the corner, sudden and swift and sure.
36-38 Yes, God will judge his people, but oh how compassionately he’ll do it. When he sees their weakened plight and there is no one left, slave or free, He’ll say, “So where are their gods, the rock in which they sought refuge, the gods who feasted on the fat of their sacrifices
and drank the wine of their drink-offerings? Let them show their stuff and help you, let them give you a hand!
39-42 “Do you see it now? Do you see that I’m the one? Do you see that there’s no other god beside me? I bring death and I give life, I wound and I heal—there is no getting away from or around me! I raise my hand in solemn oath; I say, ‘I’m always around. By that very life I promise: When I sharpen my lightning sword and execute judgment, I take vengeance on my enemies and pay back those who hate me. I’ll make my arrows drunk with blood, my sword will gorge itself on flesh, feasting on slain and captive alike, the proud and vain enemy corpses.’”
43 Celebrate, nations, join the praise of his people. He avenges the deaths of his servants, pays back his enemies with vengeance, and cleanses his land for his people.
God ends this song by reminding Israel of His greatness and His watchcare for them. Why shouldn’t the Israelites be faithful to such a great God?
44-47 Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua son of Nun. When Moses had finished saying all these words to all Israel, he said, “Take to heart all these words to which I give witness today and urgently command your children to put them into practice, every single word of this Revelation. Yes. This is no small matter for you; it’s your life. In keeping this word you’ll have a good and long life in this land that you’re crossing the Jordan to possess.”
Hmm. Notice that Moses AND Joshua recite the words of this song. Moses wants to make sure Joshua knows this song thoroughly, because he’s going to need it. And now it’s nearly time for Moses to die.
48-50 That same day God spoke to Moses: “Climb the Abarim Mountains to Mount Nebo in the land of Moab, overlooking Jericho, and view the land of Canaan that I’m giving the People of Israel to have and hold. Die on the mountain that you climb and join your people in the ground, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and joined his people.
51-52 “This is because you broke faith with me in the company of the People of Israel at the Waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin—you didn’t honor my Holy Presence in the company of the People of Israel. You’ll look at the land spread out before you but you won’t enter it, this land that I am giving to the People of Israel.”
Reading these verses, we’re tempted to beg God, “But God, this is MOSES, THE FAITHFUL, THE PROPHET WHO HAS LED YOUR PEOPLE FOR FORTY YEARS. CAN’T YOU JUST FORGIVE HIM FOR ONE TINY MISTAKE?” But no. God is merciful but He is also just. God must deal with Moses justly because from now until the end of time there will be other leaders who will be tempted to compromise. If God gives Moses a free pass now, untold numbers of other believers will also demand the same free pass. Moses rebelled and rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Much as God loves Moses, He must deal justly for the sake of all future believers.
God’s refusal to allow Moses to enter the Promised Land stands as a warning for all of us. No matter how much God loves us, we must remain obedient at all times without whining or complaining. For the remainder of Moses’ life, he will beg God to be allowed to enter the Promised Land; however, he will not complain when God refuses.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to obey You in all things, knowing that You are good and loving but also merciful and just. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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