Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.4MB)
Moses and Israel had sung a song after crossing the Red Sea. It celebrated their victory over the Egyptians due to the power of God, but this new song points out Israel’s unfaithfulness and the Lord disciplining His own people.
This song would indict the Israeli people for turning away from Adonai due to breaking His covenant. This was the most serious offense the Israeli people could commit.
Heaven and Earth are summoned, as witnesses, in verse one. Let angels and men hear, let this testimony of God be registered both in Heaven and Earth. This appeal meant that the song had significance for the entire created order.
When Moses declares the greatness of God, he does it, not by explaining His awesomeness, His divine holiness, or by describing the brightness of His glory in the highest Heavens,
but by showing the faithfulness of His word, the perfection of His works, and the wisdom and righteousness of His Kingdom; in these Gods glory shines clearly.
The key name of God in this song is “the Rock.” He is referred to as a rock five times in this chapter. The God of Israel is strong, stable, solid, and reliable.
God is also portrayed with other metaphors:
As an eagle caring for its young; a father disciplining and nurturing his children; as a care giver who gave birth to Israel.
As a divine warrior who fights against the wicked and powerful on behalf of the Chosen People; and as the Redeemer who has purchased the people again.
Yet, in contrast, the nation of Israel is described as corrupt, perverse, and unfaithful.
Moses reminds the people how Adonai found them in the desert. How He loved them and sheltered them. He lifted them up to high places of victory. He gave them the richest blessings of the land.
But what did Israel do? They forgot their God, rebelled against Him, turned away from His love, worshiped other gods and provoked Him to jealousy.
God’s gift of the sumptuous fat of lambs and rams is turned by the people into fat sacrificed to other gods. A people fat, bloated, and gorged on the produce of the land, become people suffering from wasting hunger and dying thirst.
Canaan’s fine wine from the blood of grapes has been turned into grapes of poison, the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of vipers.
God announces His great disappointment. His decision was to withdraw His favor from them and punish them. He would withdraw His protective care and Israel would find out speedily how they would manage without Him.
Images of nature also play a significant role in this Song of Moses. There is a dramatic shift from soothing images of gentle nourishing rain, and soft dew on the grass,
to violent images of chaotic and destructive forces of nature unleashed by God on the rebellious nation of Israel.
The land flowing with milk and honey turns into a desert land, a terrible wilderness of waste. The divine eagle who gently cares for its young, becomes the teeth of beasts and the venom of things crawling in the dust. The blessings of nature turn into instruments of God’s judgment against a sinful Israel.
Israel would see that without God, one enemy would chase a thousand Israelis, and two enemies would chase 10,000.
If Israel was wise, they could have easily overcome all their enemies through the help of the Three-In-One God, but when they abandoned Him, the Lord would teach them and correct them by allowing them to come under the power of the enemy, just as, He may do with America.
Adonai would bring Israel to a place where they would know that He is God, their Rock and eternal refuge, of which there is no other.
When Moses finished giving these teachings to the people, he said to them: You must be sure to pay attention to all the commands I tell you today. Tell your children to obey completely the commands in this Law.
Don’t think these teachings are not important. They are your life!
Through these teachings you will live long in the land across the Jordan River that you are now ready to take.
On the very same day which Moses gave this song to the people, his death was announced to him by God, and the command was given to him to ascend Mount Nebo, where he was to survey the Promised Land, and there he was to die.
This was because Moses and Aaron broke faith with Adonai by arrogantly and foolishly suggesting that he and Aaron, not the Lord, would bring forth the water from the rock.
For this act of unbelief and failure to give Adonai the glory before the people, Moses forfeited his right to lead the nation into the Land of Promised.
In closing: Songs not only entertain, but teach, proclaim, provoke, and warn. Some songs hold timeless.
treasures, precious memories, and priceless truths.
Some songs stand like stone monuments in our life and culture. Some songs can transport our hearts and minds backward or forward to a time or place, to inspire, to encourage. Some songs can make us laugh or cry.
One day the words of this song will speak in a new way to Israel, and she will turn to her Rock and discover that He is Yeshua their Messiah, whom they crucified! And then all the creative order will sing.
Let’s pray,
Precious Heavenly Father, all our delight is in You. The deepest longing of our hearts is to see You and Celebrate Your glory.
We will not truly be satisfied until we behold Your face in righteousness. This is why we now pour out our love and worship to You in prayer.
We trust in Your promises, rejoice in Your faithfulness, glory in Your goodness, hope in Your word, believe in Your Son, and rest in Your grace.”
Father! may this truly be our heart’s prayer and song.