Deuteronomy 32: A Song of Love, Rebellion, and Redemption
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto 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.
They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
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?
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
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.
For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
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.
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, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; 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.
For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.
They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:
Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this.
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!
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?
For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.
Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them 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.
And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
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 unto his land, and to his people.
And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.
And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:
And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,
Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:
And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:
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.
Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 32, often called the "Song of Moses," is a powerful and poignant poem delivered to the entire assembly of Israel (Deuteronomy 31:30). It serves as both a testament and a warning, tracing God's faithful dealings with His people while also highlighting their persistent tendency to stray. This chapter is a crucial teaching tool, offering profound insights into the character of God, the nature of humanity, and the enduring themes of love, rebellion, judgment, and ultimately, redemption. Moses calls upon the heavens and the earth as witnesses (Deuteronomy 32:1), emphasizing the gravity and universal significance of his message.
The Perfection of God and the Corruption of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:1-12)
Moses begins by proclaiming the greatness of God, whose work is perfect and whose ways are just (Deuteronomy 32:1-4). He is the Rock, a source of unwavering stability and faithfulness. In stark contrast to God's perfection, Moses presents a damning assessment of Israel's behavior. They have acted corruptly, becoming a "devious and crooked generation" (Deuteronomy 32:5). Their unfaithfulness is portrayed as a wretched betrayal of the love and kindness God has shown them. This section underscores the profound disappointment God experiences when His chosen people turn away from Him.
Blessings Forgotten, Gratitude Abandoned (Deuteronomy 32:13-18)
The Lord had abundantly provided for Israel throughout their wilderness journey, nourishing them and protecting them (Deuteronomy 32:13-14). However, upon enjoying these blessings, Israel, referred to affectionately as "Jeshurun" (meaning "Upright One"), grew complacent and arrogant. They became "fat, bloated, and gorged" (Deuteronomy 32:15), like a rebellious animal that kicks the master who feeds it. This vivid imagery illustrates the ingratitude and contempt with which Israel treated God. They abandoned Him for false gods, which Moses identifies as demons (Deuteronomy 32:16-17), and tragically forgot the God who gave them birth (Deuteronomy 32:18). God, their devoted Father, was rejected by His ungrateful children.
Provoking Judgment (Deuteronomy 32:19-27)
Israel's blatant disobedience provoked God's righteous anger and judgment. A particularly ominous statement is made: "I will hide my face from them" (Deuteronomy 32:20). To have the God who created and sustains you turn away is a terrifying prospect, signifying complete abandonment. This is similar to the imagery in Esther 7:8, where Haman's face is covered, indicating that he has lost all hope of appeal. God's anger is likened to a raging fire (Deuteronomy 32:22), and His judgment would manifest in various forms of disaster, including pestilence, plagues, wild beasts, venomous snakes, and the sword (Deuteronomy 32:23-25). The extent of Israel's apostasy was so severe that they deserved complete destruction at the hands of their enemies. However, God, in His mercy, stayed His hand, lest the nations wrongly conclude that their own power, and not God's judgment, had defeated Israel (Deuteronomy 32:26-27). God would ensure that the nations understood that Israel's defeat was a consequence of their rebellion against their holy God.
A Nation Lacking Understanding (Deuteronomy 32:28-33)
Moses laments that Israel is "a nation lacking sense with no understanding at all" (Deuteronomy 32:28). He urges them to learn from the example of their parents' generation, who perished in the wilderness due to their lack of trust in God. This serves as a cautionary tale against arrogance and self-reliance. As Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall." It is a reminder that we are all prone to failure and should constantly seek God's guidance and protection. Israel's future apostasy was so profound that the Lord would ultimately give them up (Deuteronomy 32:30), as they had become as sinful as Sodom and Gomorrah (Deuteronomy 32:32).
Deliverance and Vengeance (Deuteronomy 32:34-43)
Moses concludes his song with a message of hope and deliverance. After God's fierce judgment runs its course, He will take vengeance on Israel's enemies once He sees that the nation has reached the end of its strength and turned back to Him (Deuteronomy 32:34-36). However, Israel must first learn the futility of relying on false gods for help (Deuteronomy 32:37-38). Only then will they be ready to return to the Lord in repentance, recognizing that He alone can heal them (Deuteronomy 32:39). He will then rise up in vengeance against His adversaries (Deuteronomy 32:41) and purify His land and His people (Deuteronomy 32:43).
A Word of Life (Deuteronomy 32:44-47)
Moses emphasizes that these words are not empty rhetoric but are a matter of life and death (Deuteronomy 32:44-47). Obeying God's commands is essential for their blessing and prosperity in the promised land.
Moses' Final Glimpse (Deuteronomy 32:48-52)
On the same day that Moses delivered this powerful song, he received instructions from the Lord regarding his impending death. He was told to ascend Mount Nebo, from where he would be able to view the promised land from a distance (Deuteronomy 32:48-52). This final glimpse, granted out of God's mercy, serves as a poignant reminder of God's faithfulness, even in the face of human frailty.
Deuteronomy 32 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering love, the consequences of rebellion, and the promise of redemption. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, to remain faithful to God, and to remember the blessings He has bestowed upon us. It is a song of warning, but also a song of hope, reminding us that even in the midst of judgment, God's mercy endures forever. This chapter, rich in theological and practical implications, is an invaluable resource for understanding the complexities of the relationship between God and humanity.
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto 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.
They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
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?
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
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.
For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
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.
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, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; 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.
For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.
They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:
Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this.
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!
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?
For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.
Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them 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.
And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
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 unto his land, and to his people.
And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.
And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:
And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,
Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:
And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:
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.
Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 32, often called the "Song of Moses," is a powerful and poignant poem delivered to the entire assembly of Israel (Deuteronomy 31:30). It serves as both a testament and a warning, tracing God's faithful dealings with His people while also highlighting their persistent tendency to stray. This chapter is a crucial teaching tool, offering profound insights into the character of God, the nature of humanity, and the enduring themes of love, rebellion, judgment, and ultimately, redemption. Moses calls upon the heavens and the earth as witnesses (Deuteronomy 32:1), emphasizing the gravity and universal significance of his message.
The Perfection of God and the Corruption of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:1-12)
Moses begins by proclaiming the greatness of God, whose work is perfect and whose ways are just (Deuteronomy 32:1-4). He is the Rock, a source of unwavering stability and faithfulness. In stark contrast to God's perfection, Moses presents a damning assessment of Israel's behavior. They have acted corruptly, becoming a "devious and crooked generation" (Deuteronomy 32:5). Their unfaithfulness is portrayed as a wretched betrayal of the love and kindness God has shown them. This section underscores the profound disappointment God experiences when His chosen people turn away from Him.
Blessings Forgotten, Gratitude Abandoned (Deuteronomy 32:13-18)
The Lord had abundantly provided for Israel throughout their wilderness journey, nourishing them and protecting them (Deuteronomy 32:13-14). However, upon enjoying these blessings, Israel, referred to affectionately as "Jeshurun" (meaning "Upright One"), grew complacent and arrogant. They became "fat, bloated, and gorged" (Deuteronomy 32:15), like a rebellious animal that kicks the master who feeds it. This vivid imagery illustrates the ingratitude and contempt with which Israel treated God. They abandoned Him for false gods, which Moses identifies as demons (Deuteronomy 32:16-17), and tragically forgot the God who gave them birth (Deuteronomy 32:18). God, their devoted Father, was rejected by His ungrateful children.
Provoking Judgment (Deuteronomy 32:19-27)
Israel's blatant disobedience provoked God's righteous anger and judgment. A particularly ominous statement is made: "I will hide my face from them" (Deuteronomy 32:20). To have the God who created and sustains you turn away is a terrifying prospect, signifying complete abandonment. This is similar to the imagery in Esther 7:8, where Haman's face is covered, indicating that he has lost all hope of appeal. God's anger is likened to a raging fire (Deuteronomy 32:22), and His judgment would manifest in various forms of disaster, including pestilence, plagues, wild beasts, venomous snakes, and the sword (Deuteronomy 32:23-25). The extent of Israel's apostasy was so severe that they deserved complete destruction at the hands of their enemies. However, God, in His mercy, stayed His hand, lest the nations wrongly conclude that their own power, and not God's judgment, had defeated Israel (Deuteronomy 32:26-27). God would ensure that the nations understood that Israel's defeat was a consequence of their rebellion against their holy God.
A Nation Lacking Understanding (Deuteronomy 32:28-33)
Moses laments that Israel is "a nation lacking sense with no understanding at all" (Deuteronomy 32:28). He urges them to learn from the example of their parents' generation, who perished in the wilderness due to their lack of trust in God. This serves as a cautionary tale against arrogance and self-reliance. As Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall." It is a reminder that we are all prone to failure and should constantly seek God's guidance and protection. Israel's future apostasy was so profound that the Lord would ultimately give them up (Deuteronomy 32:30), as they had become as sinful as Sodom and Gomorrah (Deuteronomy 32:32).
Deliverance and Vengeance (Deuteronomy 32:34-43)
Moses concludes his song with a message of hope and deliverance. After God's fierce judgment runs its course, He will take vengeance on Israel's enemies once He sees that the nation has reached the end of its strength and turned back to Him (Deuteronomy 32:34-36). However, Israel must first learn the futility of relying on false gods for help (Deuteronomy 32:37-38). Only then will they be ready to return to the Lord in repentance, recognizing that He alone can heal them (Deuteronomy 32:39). He will then rise up in vengeance against His adversaries (Deuteronomy 32:41) and purify His land and His people (Deuteronomy 32:43).
A Word of Life (Deuteronomy 32:44-47)
Moses emphasizes that these words are not empty rhetoric but are a matter of life and death (Deuteronomy 32:44-47). Obeying God's commands is essential for their blessing and prosperity in the promised land.
Moses' Final Glimpse (Deuteronomy 32:48-52)
On the same day that Moses delivered this powerful song, he received instructions from the Lord regarding his impending death. He was told to ascend Mount Nebo, from where he would be able to view the promised land from a distance (Deuteronomy 32:48-52). This final glimpse, granted out of God's mercy, serves as a poignant reminder of God's faithfulness, even in the face of human frailty.
Deuteronomy 32 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering love, the consequences of rebellion, and the promise of redemption. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, to remain faithful to God, and to remember the blessings He has bestowed upon us. It is a song of warning, but also a song of hope, reminding us that even in the midst of judgment, God's mercy endures forever. This chapter, rich in theological and practical implications, is an invaluable resource for understanding the complexities of the relationship between God and humanity.