The conventional wisdom in today’s world is that there is no God. Many people believe the world and humans came into existence by chance. They think we humans are free to make up our own rules.
Today’s Scripture reading is part of a passage which was a warning to Israel about what would happen to them if they forsook Yahweh and served the false gods of their neighbors. The end of the song also becomes a warning to all humanity. The warning is basically, “Ignore God at your own peril.”
The bulk of chapter 32 is a song which Moses wrote as a warning to Israel. The song predicted what would happen to Israel in the future when they abandoned Yahweh and followed false gods. Yahweh directed Moses to write this song so that, when Yahweh punished Israel for their idolatry, then Yahweh could use the song to prove to Israel that they had been warned and had no excuse.
At the end of yesterday’s reading, the song reminded Israel that the gods of the nations were not like Yahweh, their God. The gods of the surrounding nations gave poison and bitterness.
Deut. 32:34 ¶ ‘Is it not laid up in store with Me,
Sealed up in My treasuries?
The pronoun “it” refers to the vengeance that is mentioned in verse 35.
Deut. 32:35 Vengeance is Mine, and retribution,
In due time their foot will stumble;
For the day of their disaster is near,
And the impending things are hastening upon them.’
The pronouns “their” and “them” refer to Israel’s enemies. Israel’s enemies would triumph over Israel for a time, long enough to punish Israel for their idolatry. Ultimately, in the end, Yahweh will render vengeance upon those who afflict Israel.
Deut. 32:36 For Yahweh will render justice to His people,
And will have compassion on His slaves,
When He sees that their strength is gone,
And there is none remaining, bond or free.
Deut. 32:37 And He will say, ‘Where are their gods,
The rock in which they sought refuge?
When Yahweh defeats the enemies of Israel, He will ask the whereabouts of the false gods of Israel’s enemies. The false gods will not be able to prevent the vengeance which Yahweh will bring upon Israel’s enemies.
Deut. 32:38 Who ate the fat of their sacrifices,
And drank the wine of their drink offering?
Let them rise up and help you,
Let them be your hiding place!
The first two lines of verse 38 are a question. The answer is the false gods of the nations ate the sacrifices. Yahweh challenged those gods to help the enemies of Israel, knowing that they will be unable to do so.
Deut. 32:39 See now that I, I am He,
And there is no god besides Me;
It is I who put to death and give life.
I have wounded, and it is I who heal,
And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
Focus on the second line of verse 39. There is only one God and Yahweh is His name. All other gods are false gods. Yahweh determines life and death. Yahweh has total, complete power over everyone and everything.
Deut. 32:40 Indeed, I lift up My hand to heaven,
And say, as I live forever,
Deut. 32:41 If I sharpen My flashing sword,
And My hand takes hold on judgment,
I will render vengeance on My adversaries,
And I will repay those who hate Me.
Throughout history, many men have rebelled against Yahweh. Someday, Yahweh will repay those who hate Him. The book of Revelation tells us about the coming vengeance on His adversaries.
Deut. 32:42 I will make My arrows drunk with blood,
And My sword will devour flesh,
With the blood of the slain and the captives,
From the long-haired leaders of the enemy.’
Notice the words “long-haired leaders”. This term is a pejorative. The context implies that men having long hair is bad.
Deut. 32:43 O nations, cause His people to shout for joy;
For He will avenge the blood of His slaves,
And He will render vengeance on His adversaries,
And He will atone for His land and His people.”
This is the end of the song. Moses predicted that Israel would abandon Yahweh and serve false gods. Thus, Yahweh would punish Israel. However, ultimately, Yahweh will punish everyone who rebels against Him.
Deut. 32:44 ¶ Then Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun.
Deut. 32:45 Then Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel,
Deut. 32:46 and he said to them, “Place in your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to be careful to do, even all the words of this law.
Notice the word “warning”. This song was a warning to Israel. Moses foretold the consequences Israel would suffer if they followed false gods.
Deut. 32:47 For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”
Deut. 32:48 ¶ And Yahweh spoke to Moses that very same day, saying,
Deut. 32:49 “Go up to this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab opposite Jericho, and look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel for a possession.
Deut. 32:50 Then die on the mountain where you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people,
Deut. 32:51 because you both acted unfaithfully with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you both did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.
Take note of the words “did not treat Me as holy”. This verse refers to an event recorded in Numbers 20. The Israelites were complaining because there was no water. Yahweh told Moses to speak to the rock so that it would yield water. Instead, Moses struck the rock and said to Israel, “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10). Notice Moses used the pronoun “we” when he said “shall we bring forth water”.
Many people think Moses’ mistake was striking the rock. It is true that Moses was wrong for striking the rock. However, I think the greater problem was Moses’ attitude and his claim that he and Aaron were bringing forth the water. That is why Yahweh told Moses he failed to treat God as holy.
Deut. 32:52 For you shall see the land at a distance, but you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving the sons of Israel.”
Because of that mistake, Moses did not enter the Promised Land.
Throughout history, many men have denied the existence of God. They have disobeyed God’s rules and lived how they wanted to live. Oppression of God’s people Israel has been rampant. These problems continue today.
The song that Moses wrote contains a statement that vengeance belongs to Yahweh. Someday, Yahweh will bring retribution upon those who hate Him and rebel against His law. Yahweh is the one and only God. Yahweh has complete power and authority over the entire universe and everything in it. Anyone who denies the existence of God and refuses to submit to Him does so at his own peril. Someday, Yahweh will bring vengeance.
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”