Read Deuteronomy
31-32 & Luke 1:1-23
To discover:
As you read note how Israel
are to be reminded of their covenant commitments.
To ponder:
Moses prepares the people for his departure. He reassures
them again that God will “cross ahead” of them, and “destroy” the nations as he
did the Amorites, so the people “will” take possession of the land. Israel
are therefore to be “strong and courageous,” not because of confidence in
themselves, but because God “will never leave” them nor “forsake them.”
Likewise, Christ’s promise to be with his people even to the end of the age
emboldens them to spread his kingdom throughout the world by preaching the
gospel, no matter what spiritual or human enemies stand against them (Matt
28v20).
With the
people present to witness it, Moses charges Joshua in the same way, instructing
him to divide the coming inheritance. In the light of the people’s grumbling
about Moses, this was necessary so that they recognise Joshua as God’s chosen
leader. God’s declaration at Jesus’ baptism and Christ’s later affirmation of
the apostles are similar.
We then learn how the essence of
Deuteronomy (and possibly Numbers) came into being. Moses writes the law down
and gives it to the Levites - a pattern followed by the apostles as their
deaths approached. The feast of tabernacles that ended the seventh year signalled
a sort of re-booting of Israel
in terms of the inheritance. So it is then that “all” the law is to be read to the
assembly. Even the children were to “hear it” and so “learn to fear the LORD” –
a gentle rebuke of those who argue things must always be brief and simple in
church for children.
Joshua is then
commissioned in the visible presence of God and Moses. And God relates once
more how Israel
will forsake him for idols, bringing many “difficulties and disasters.” God
therefore instructs Moses to write down and teach Israel
a song to “testify” against her when she goes astray. This forms an early
justification for music ministry. It is not just about praising God, but being
reminded of his deeds and our response to them.
The book of
the law was also to be a witness, being placed beside the ark (which already
contained the Ten Commandments) in the tabernacle (later temple). The book and song
would be a constant reminder that what Israel
experience because of her apostasy was just what God predicted. No doubt this
would urge Israel
to respond rightly as our Bibles and songs do.
The song’s poetry
is worth reflection. It brings home Israel’s
history and future. Heaven and earth are first called to witness, with a prayer
that God’s word would bring abundant life to Israel.
God’s faithfulness is affirmed, making Israel’s
corruption all the more serious. His care as Father and Creator in making and
forming her (Jacob) is then outlined. The language reflects his purpose,
protection and provision. And the past tense marks how certain the future is: Israel
will reject and “forget” him for gods they hadn’t even known. In loving
jealousy God will then reject them, bringing the promised disasters. But Israel
will not understand this is all from God. He therefore calls them to “see”
there is no God but him. And this will be proved by him bringing the nations to
actually praise him for judging those he brought against Israel,
and by his making “atonement” for the land and people. This great concern for Israel
is of course fulfilled when, through faith in Christ, Jews and Gentiles join in
“seeing” who God is, praising him and receiving atonement.
Moses
concludes affirming to Israel
that the words of the song “are your life.” If they heed them, they will “live
long in the land.”
Praying it home:
Thank God for the gift of music and musicians in helping you
be reminded of God’s deeds and will. Pray that those who choose songs in your
church would choose wisely, and that the church would learn from what they sing.
Thinking further:
Jesus referred to the first five books of the Bible (the
Pentateuch or Torah) as the “books of Moses.” We need not understand this in a
literalistic way. It is quite apparent some later editing has taken place (under
God’s sovereign guidance). Later place names are inserted so later readers can locate
places. And the book ends recording Moses’ death. However, as we have seen God
instructed Moses to write the law down, and the sermons of Deuteronomy are
obviously from him. There is no reason therefore to doubt that the content of
these books is substantially Mosaic.
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Are you using a special bible? Mine doesn't have Mark 17!
ReplyDeleteYes, should have been Luke 1:1-23. Well spotted! Now changed.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Great work by the way, really benefitting from all your efforts.
Delete