Deuteronomy 32 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
We come to the song that Moses wants to teach the nation of Israel. This is not a catchy tune or something you would sing as a congregation to open the service to pep things up. Well, you could sing this song if you could remove vs. 5-6, 15-30, 39-42. But you wouldn’t have much of a chapter left. In other words, this is Biblical truth, hard-hitting, truthful, and straight to the point. Many churches would toss it aside. But this chapter is full of rich Biblical, life-giving truth.
This is also the text that Jonathan Edwards used in the famous sermon called “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” Edwards was a well-known preacher following in the steps of his grandfather Solomon Stoddard in Northampton, MA. He was first an assistant pastor and then became the pastor of the church. Since he travelled often preaching at different churches, he would use a sermon he had preached previously, editing the sermon based on his previous delivery and experience. He preached “Sinners in the hands of an angry God in Enfield CT in 1741 and found a people that reacted emotionally and quickly. Some accounts wrote that he had to tell the people to be quiet and quit crying so he could finish the sermon. Here is one reading of the sermon: https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=770213541.
In this chapter, Moses is not congratulating the people. As we saw in yesterday’s devotion, Moses calls heaven and earth to witness against Israel (31:28) and he knows they will fall away (31:29) so he wants to teach them this song describing their heart and actions. Moses wants them to know God is always angry at sin and their sin will usher dire consequences.
Moses begins with praise to God. He attributes no injustice or unrighteousness to God. “His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice . . . without iniquity” v. 4. This is not how Moses describes Israel. God, speaking through Moses, holds nothing back. Starting in verse 5, “they are a crooked and twisted (perverse) generation.” In this song, God is graciously giving, providing, creating, making, etc. while Israel is dealing corruptly, foolishly repaying the Lord, as well as rejecting Him.
Verse 10ff displays the love and compassion of God in His choice of Israel. Abraham was a pagan, idol-worshipper when God called him. God encircled Israel, cared for him, kept him as the apple of his eye. God bore them, guided him and yet Jeshurun (another name for Israel meaning upright – a bit of irony?) grew fat . . . forsook God . . . scoffed at Him . . . stirred him to jealousy with strange gods.
The theme of this chapter is that while God is just, perfect, giving, and caring, the love and obedience due Him from Israel never materialized. In fact, just the opposite. Israel stirs God to jealousy by idolatry in v. 16, He is angered by their abominations. One theme of this chapter is God’s response to sin. In v. 21, “they have me jealous . . . they have provoked me to anger. In the next verse, “a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol.”
God’s anger is “in store” or “sealed up in my treasuries.” Vengeance is mine . . . for . . . their foot shall slip.” God does not minimize His holy anger, but He warns them what will most certainly happen if they sin or should we say, when they sin? God says, “I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh” in v. 42. I just don’t know how many North American Christians will listen to this. How would you feel if you heard this kind of sermon when you brought a friend to church? Would you squirm? Would you wish the pastor would get on a different topic? This is God talking about Himself. God is not embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about His anger at sin.
At the end of this section, God’s judgment concludes with His refusal to let Moses enter the promised land. How God loved Moses! He spoke to him face to face (or mouth to mouth) as He says in Numbers 12:8. Yet, God meant what He said, and Moses disobeyed. This warning is “no empty word” as Moses says in v. 47. We ought to be humble and fearful of sin and in love with the Savior.
Dear Lord, the Giver of Life, our Provider and Sustainer. You are altogether lovely and perfect. You serve us, love us, and forgive us. You are an eternal fountain of joy and spread joy to Your children. But You hate, absolutely hate sin. And we love it. Take away the love of sinning. Create in us desires for You that bring deep delight to our eternal souls. May Christ appear more lovely to us and may we live in obedience to Your word. In Christ’s name. Amen.