AM Bible Study Group; February 15, 2012
Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47
Theme: God urges His people’s repentance by giving them a song of witness.
The last thing that God called Moses to do, before he left his people, was to give them a song. This song is given to us in Chapter 32. As W.H. Griffith Thomas has wisely written, "This chapter refers primarily to Israel, and can only be used by us in the Church of Christ with secondary spiritual application" (The Pentateuch, p. 187). And yet, the spiritual lessons to be learned from it are many indeed!
I. THE SONG IS INTRODUCED (31:30).
A. This song was first mentioned in 31:19. We’re told there that it is a song that was given by God to Moses and Joshua. It has great authority. The reason for the song being given is described for us in 31:19-22 as "a witness for Me against the children of Israel" (v. 19). It would be a reminder to them, when they came into the land and began to turn from the Lord; so that they will be moved to repent and turn back to Him. Note how, in verse 20, we’re given a brief description of what this song describes!
B. Note in v. 30 that Moses spoke the words of it in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel "until they were ended". It was given as one unit—which is important to remember; because it not only describes God’s just judgment for forgetting Him, but also His gracious promise of atonement at the end.
II. THE CONTENT OF THE SONG IS GIVEN (32:1-43).
A. God’s calls heaven and earth to witness (vv. 1-2). Note that these words are not just a blessing to Israel, but to all!
B. God’s character is affirmed (vv. 3-6). This song, in part, proclaims the just character of God. It’s as if He were making a case in the court of law, and begins by establishing His righteousness and faithfulness as a backdrop against which Israel’s wickedness and unfaithfulness will be made more plain.
C. God’s goodness to Israel is told (vv. 7-14). God’s goodness to them is shown in that He separated them as a nation unto Himself, and protected them in the desert, and provided for them richly in the land.
D. Israel’s unfaithfulness is exposed (vv. 15-18). He calls Israel "Jeshurun" (which means "the righteous one") to highlight the greatness of their sin. They forsook Him in their prosperity, turned to other gods, and forgot about the God who was so good to them.
E. God’s just anger is described (vv. 19-22). Note that He puts the blame on them for having provoked Him to jealousy. He Himself is a passionate lover of His people.
F. God’s judgment is foretold (vv. 23-27). The disasters He promises on them are very much like the curses mentioned in Chapter 28. Note that He refrains from completely destroying them because of what the nations around them might say about His own faithfulness to His promises.
G. Israel’s foolishness is proclaimed (vv. 28-33). Here, we see the real problem— foolishness. What else can we call it when we turn from such a faithful God to those things which are not gods at all? Their suffering would plainly be because they turned from Him.
H. God’s justness is vindicated (vv. 34-38). He sarcastically asks them were the gods are that they turned to. Why aren’t they helping them?
I. God’s mercy is promised (vv. 39-43). God nevertheless promises to uphold His people and defend them against their enemies. His love for them is faithful, though their love for Him is not. Note that, in verse 43, He even promises atonement for them.
III. A CONCLUSION TO THE SONG IS GIVEN (32:44-47).
A. We note that it was not only Moses, but also Joshua who gave the words of this song to the people (v. 44). Again, it was affirmed that it was given completely—from beginning to end (v. 45).
B. Note that Moses call to the people, in response, was to set their hearts on the words that were just testified to them—not only the song, but the whole of the law. They were to carefully observe them (v. 46). "For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess" (vv. 47).