Deuteronomy Sermons (written) – Page 2

Deuteronomy 33:1-5 (The Lord Came From Sinai)

Charlie Garrett Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy (written), Deuteronomy Sermons (written), Old Testament, Old Testament (written), Sermons, SERMONS (write up), Torah, Torah (written), Writings Sunday, April 24th, 2022Sunday, April 24th, 2022

Artwork by Doug Kallerson.

Deuteronomy 33:1-5
The Lord Came From Sinai

Despite very difficult Hebrew at times, there are unmistakable anticipations of Christ in our first three verses today. But the Hebrew is also beautiful in how it portrays the Lord even from a simple reading without looking at the finer details of what is presented.

What is rather interesting is that Moses says that the Lord came from Sinai, but some people conduct their lives as if He never left there. Instead, it is as if He is still there to this day, issuing out commands and prophecies.

At least, this is the substance behind their theology. Sinai was chosen to reveal things about what Jesus would do. It was also chosen to be a point of reference for the law itself and how the law fit into the greater picture of redemptive history.

It is not that the Lord came from Sinai and keeps coming from Sinai, but that Sinai is a point of reference for us to understand what He would do, what He did do, and what that means for our walk before the Lord.

Paul shows us this in the book of Galatians through a simple explanation of the metaphorical nature of what the word of the Lord has presented in three separate things –

1) the account of Abraham, his wife, his bondwoman, and the children that issued from them;
2) the giving of the law at Sinai; and
3) the administration of that law in Jerusalem, or the administration of the New Covenant from heaven.

His words form our text verse today…

Text Verse: “Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? ²²For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. ²³But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, ²⁴which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— ²⁵for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— ²⁶but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Galatians 4:21-26

Abraham was given a promise. The promise cannot be later annulled by some other event. It stands between the Lord and him regardless of the introduction or fulfillment of any other thing.

In awaiting the continuance of that promise, which we later find out is a son through his wife (the freewoman) Sarah, Abraham had a child through Sarah’s servant (the bondwoman), Hagar.

Paul tells us that God used those events to symbolically tell us a greater story. The child of the bondwoman, Ishmael, came in the normal way children come, according to the flesh. If you don’t know about that yet, ask your mom. The point is that the son was born through a bondwoman.

The child of the freewoman, however, came according to a promise. As this is so, even if the child was conceived and born in the typical way, the fact that he came by a promise from God was not.

With this understood, Paul tells us that the birth of these sons symbolically anticipated what God would do through His covenants. The first covenant, the one at Sinai, brings forth sons born into bondage because the covenant itself is one of bondage.

This covenant, the one initiated at Sinai, was administered in Jerusalem, at the temple. It is a covenant of bondage. This is because sin is bondage. The law is what makes sin possible, and in violating the law, sin comes about. There is nothing free about the law. The law is bondage because it leads to sin. As this is so, those who are under the law are in bondage.

On the other hand, there is another covenant, the Christ Covenant that came through His work in fulfillment of the law. Being sinless, he had nothing binding Him. He was free, and He remained free.

In His death, He brought the law of bondage to an end for all who believe. As Paul says, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). This is the covenant of promise, and it corresponds to Sarah’s giving birth to Abraham’s son Isaac, which came by promise.

This covenant is administered in the heavenly Jerusalem. And as Sarah was free, so is the Jerusalem in heaven. Thus, the sons of this covenant are free. There is no bondage because there is no sin that comes from or through the administration of this covenant.

As this is so, one must decide where he will hang his hat. It is not a matter to be taken lightly. It is the most important decision one who is presented with the two covenants can make. The Jews, to this day, have made their choice to follow Moses and the covenant made at Sinai.

Many supposed Christians have made the same choice as the Jews. One cannot have one foot in the law and one foot in Christ. It is one or the other, and if the law is a part of either, then the law – by default – takes precedence (see Galatians 5:3).

And then, there are those who have come to Christ alone in order to find their peace with God. They are free because Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4). Without law, there is no sin (Romans 5:13). Without sin, there is no bondage. Thus, in Christ, we are free.

This is an important point to understand because our verses today deal with it. It is great and glorious what Jesus Christ has done. The marvel of it is to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. He Hides the Peoples (verses 1-3)

Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed

The Hebrew bears an article overlooked by all translations: v’zoth ha’berakah asher berakh mosheh ish ha’elohim – “And this the blessing which blessed Moses, man THE God.”

Out of about twenty-six hundred uses of the word Elohim, or God, the definite article is used with it less than four hundred times. It is always purposeful, and it is used when referring to man’s relationship, or interactions, with the true God.

Moses is not just a man of God, but he is a man of THE God. His life was, and continues to be, noted as one that is fully in line with the intents, purposes, and goals of the one true God. This is the first time the title “man of the God” is found in Scripture. It will be a term used frequently of Elijah and Elisha in the books of Kings.

But more than even this, the statement indicates that his words – as recorded in the books that are credited to him – are the words of the true God as well. His words are divine communications being conveyed through him. This includes the final words of his that are recorded in this chapter of Deuteronomy.

The inclusion of the article sets off Moses the man, and his words, as being aligned wholly and completely with Yehovah, the one true God. The blessing given is one by which Moses blessed…

^1 (con’t)the children of Israel

eth bene Yisrael – “sons Israel.” The words speak of the sons of Israel by their names, Reuben, Judah, and the other remaining ones as well. However, the idea obviously extends to those who issue from them. The whole is accounted as Israel, but then there is a division that separates the whole into individual, set, and specific lines by which the people are designated.

Saying the term “children” as many translations do is not inappropriate. They are sons, but the people who issue from the sons are young and old, male and female, etc. But more to the point, they are “children” under the law. Paul explains this theological point in Galatians 4 –

“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, ²but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. ³Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. ⁴But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
⁶And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ ⁷Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:1-7

As this is so, translating this as “sons” or as “children” are both acceptable, depending on what reference point is being spoken of. It is to this body of people, Israel, and specifically to the individual tribes that issue from him, that Moses will now bless the people…

^1 (con’t)before his death.

The act of blessing here is one that was seen in the lives of both Isaac, who is the father of Israel, and of Israel, from whom these lines issue forth –

“Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, ‘My son.’
And he answered him, ‘Here I am.’
²Then he said, ‘Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. ³Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. ⁴And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.’” Genesis 27:1-4

“And Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:’” … “And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.” Genesis 49:1 & 33

Isaac had intended to bless Esau, but through cunning and trickery Jacob had received the blessing. Just prior to his own demise, Jacob likewise gave forth his blessing upon his sons. As for Moses, he is the leader of the people and their lawgiver.

As they are a people under this law, they are as children united in a family relationship who are awaiting the promise which they alone are the heirs of – that of the promised coming of Messiah. It is to this group of people, waiting to be adopted as true sons of God through Him, that the blessing of their lawgiver will now come forth…

²And he said:

va’yomar – “And he said.” Because of the words “man of the God” in the previous verse, and now “And he said” here, many scholars say that this introduction was penned later. This would mean that Moses decided to bless the tribes, what he said was recorded as he spoke it out (possibly by Joshua), and that the one who recorded the blessings explained what happened.

But just as likely is that Moses, knowing that he would die, wrote out these words in advance, including the words “man of the God.” As such, it is a claim that the words are God’s, that they came through Moses, and that God approved them.

We can’t be sure either way, but I would personally lean to Moses being the author in any such debatable section. No matter what, his words of blessing now begin with…

^{2 (con’t)} “The Lord came from Sinai,

Yehovah mi’sinay ba – “Yehovah from Sinai came.” As an introductory note, this is the last time that Sinai (Horeb) is mentioned in the books of Moses.

As for the words themselves, they are poetic, and they speak of the Lord as if coming forth like the sunrise, illuminating the land. In this case, the Lord first manifested Himself to Israel by coming to Moses at the burning bush as is recorded in Exodus 3.

There Moses was told that he would be used to deliver the people. As an assurance of that, the Lord spoke clearly to Moses –

“So He said, ‘I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.’” Exodus 3:12

The Lord came forth from Sinai (Bush of the Thorn/Bush of the Lord), and He displayed His glory at Sinai, radiating out His majesty from there.

When the name Sinai is used instead of Horeb, it is given in connection with the redemptive workings of God in Christ and in anticipation of His cross. Moses next says…

^{2 (con’t)} And dawned on them from Seir;

v’zarakh mi’Seir la’mo – “And irradiated from Seir to them.” The word zarakh gives the sense of shooting forth beams as the day dawns, even while the sun is rising, but before it has actually arisen.

From the coming forth of the Lord from Sinai, the glory of the Lord is seen to irradiate from Seir (Hairy). The name Hairy is because of the appearance of the mountain, being covered with low bushes thus giving it a hairy appearance. But hair in the Bible signifies an awareness of things, especially in relation to sin.

^{2 (con’t)} He shone forth from Mount Paran,

hophia me’har Paran – “He shone forth from Mount Paran.” It is a new word, yapha. It signifies to shine forth, but not as the rising of the sun shoots forth. Rather, it is to be light itself; it is a causing of light to shine forth. A good example of this word is found in Psalm 50 which parallels the previous clauses as well –

“The Mighty One, God the Lord,
Has spoken and called the earth
From the rising of the sun to its going down.
²Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God will shine forth.” Psalm 50:1, 2

For now, Paran means Glorious. The word is used quite a few times in the Old Testament, but it is only affixed to the word “Mount” twice – here and in a similarly worded passage in Habakkuk 3 –

“God came from Teman,
The Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His glory covered the heavens,
And the earth was full of His praise.
⁴His brightness was like the light;
He had rays flashing from His hand,
And there His power was hidden.
⁵Before Him went pestilence,
And fever followed at His feet.” Habakkuk 3:3-5

As such, this refers to the Mount of Glory, or the Glorious Mount. Of the resplendent Lord, it next says…

^{2 (con’t)} And He came with ten thousands of saints;

The translation is incorrect. It says “from,” not “with,” and the word “saints” is not right. It is a masculine singular noun: v’athah m’rivot qodesh – “And He came from myriads of holiness.”

The word translated as “came” is athah. It is a new word signifying “to come.” It is only used in words set off in a poetic manner, never in a general discourse. Because of this, it calls special attention to the coming, as if a herald is making a distinctive proclamation. Isaiah uses it ten times in his book, more than any other book in Scripture.

What is being said here is that the Lord has come from the place where the holy angels dwell. It is reflective of what is said of Him in Daniel 7 –

“A fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.” Daniel 7:10

The Lord left the glory of heaven to come and allow His light to shine upon Israel. At this time…

^{2 (con’t)} From His right hand

mi’mino – “From His right hand.” The right hand is a symbol of power and authority. It is from this…

^{2 (con’t)} Came a fiery law for them.

esh dath la’mo – “Fire-law for them.” This is the only time this expression is found in Scripture. Fire burns. In this it consumes, and purifies. What occurs is based on the substance that it interacts with. In the translation and its explanation, one can see anticipatory references to the coming of Christ –

*Yehovah from Sinai came.
The Lord Jesus came from the place of the thorn, the cross.

*And irradiated from Seir to them.
He illuminated the awareness of sin in man, becoming sin who knew no sin.

*He shone forth from Mount Paran.
He shone forth from the Glorious Mount – where He was crucified.

*And He came from myriads of holiness.
Having left heaven and the company of innumerable angels.

*From His right hand…
He is at the right hand of God, and He bears the power and authority of the Lord. It is from this position that came…

*Fire-law for them.He is both the Giver of the law and the embodiment of it. He is the standard of God by which all are judged. They (if unsaved), or their deeds (if saved), will either be consumed or purified –

“And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. ¹³The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. ¹⁴Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:12-15 (The unsaved).

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (The saved).

As long as the reference is understood in whatever dispensation of time is being addressed, the parallels are clearly seen.

³Yes, He loves the people;

It is plural: aph khovev ammim – “Also He hides the peoples.” Here is a word, khavav, found only this one time and translated as “loves.” It comes from a root meaning “to hide.” To say, “He hides (or secrets away) the peoples,” is not incorrect. But the meaning would be obscure.

Therefore, one can think of them being hidden away in the bosom, and thus there being a sense of cherishing, affection, and love. However, despite all other translations, my use of the word “hide” conveys the typology of Christ better.

^3 (con’t)All His saints are in Your hand;

It is an adjective, not a noun: kal qedosav b’yadekha – “All His holies in Your hand.” It is referring to the saints, but they are being described by their characteristic, which is that they are holy.

If you noticed, it goes from the third person to the second person, but the context surely demands that this is speaking of the Lord in each word (His and Your), and yet it is showing a definite distinction in how the Lord is being presented.

Next, referring to the holies (the saints), it says…

^3 (con’t)They sit down at Your feet;

v’hem tuku l’raglekha – “And they gather to Your feet.” Another unique word is seen here, takah. It is unclear what it means. It comes from a primitive root meaning “to strew.” Thus “gather” seems to make good sense. The Greek translation says, “they are under thee.” That is somewhat of a paraphrase.

We can think of the peoples that the Lord loves gathered to the place of His feet. Thus, He is elevated as if on a throne with His people before Him. There…

^3 (con’t)Everyone receives Your words.

yisa mi’daberotekha – “Lifts up Him from Your words.” Here is another unique word, a noun, dabarah. It is an intensive, coming from the verb meaning “to speak.” The verb itself is imperfect, and it is third person singular. It means to lift up or to carry. Being imperfect, it is “lifts up” or “carries.”

There are as many opinions on this verse and what its meaning is as can be imagined. Translations are all over the place and more often than not, they stray from the precision of what Moses says in order to try to make the words convey some sort of sense.

But the Lord is working through Moses to reveal Christ: “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me” (John 5:46). Israel will receive the blessings, but Christ is the Subject and the Object of what he is now conveying. So, with the most literal translation possible, it says –

*Also He hides the peoples.
The word “peoples” is telling. It does not use a word signifying “tribes” as would be expected if speaking of Israel. Hence, it is referring to any peoples. Those who are in Christ, from any people group, are hidden (and thus beloved) in Christ –

“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:3, 4

*All His holies in Your hand.
The holies, those holy to the Lord (Yehovah, “His”) because of Christ are in “Your” (meaning Christ’s) hand. They are under His control, power, and authority. They are the Lord’s because they are Christ’s. The change in person only makes sense when the Subject is properly understood.

*And they gather to Your feet.
Just a couple of the many references will show what this refers to. First, the gathering –

“For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory.” Isaiah 66:18

“…he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, ⁵²and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.” John 11:51, 52

And next, that it will be at Christ’s feet –

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

The “judgment seat” is an elevated seat known as the béma. The people will be gathered, and they will come before Him. The symbolism refers to Christ.

*Lifts up Him from Your words.
The change in person and the way the words are presented are so striking that it is hard to imagine how they can point to anything but the Lord.

There are scholars who have come up with inventive interpretations, such as Yehovah rising up when Israel (singular) speaks to Him, but such a thought means anything can mean anything and it does not fit with the previous clauses.

What is being said is that the Lord (Jesus) lifts up (carries) the words of Moses, which are the Lord’s (Yehovah’s) words. This is absolutely something He did. He quoted the words of law to the people, lifting them up as a witness both to them and against them.

It is the words of the Lord through Moses that speak of Jesus, that He lived by, that He instructed by, and which He fulfilled. And as He is the Prophet like Moses, referred to in Chapter 18, this clause actually anticipates Christ’s words continuing into the New Covenant as He continues to lift up the words of Yehovah.

The glorious Lord who came from Sinai
Also went to Calvary’s cross
As the years of the law passed by
There was only continued death and tragic loss

As His light dawned on them from Seir
It was destined that someday He would die
Time marched on from year to year
And the people experienced loss and wondered why

The Lord shone forth from Mount Paran
And He rose again from the darkened grave
And now His light shines eternally on
He is the Lord our God, mighty to save

II. King in Jeshurun (verses 4 & 5)

⁴Moses commanded a law for us,

The words are definitive: torah tsivah lanu Moshe – “Law he commanded to us, Moses.” The change to the first person plural, “to us,” is noteworthy.

So much is this the case, that Cambridge naturally considers it a later insertion. As they say, “The change to 1st pers. plur. … the introduction of Moses’ name, and the fact that the line is an odd one, raise the suspicion that it is a gloss.”

That is their excuse for everything. “We can’t figure this out, so it must be a later insertion” is the explanation for what is presented. John Lange does agree with this. He says that Joshua used the same words as Moses, but then included the people of Israel in what is said –

torah tsivah eth Moshe – “Law He commanded to Moses.”
torah tsivah lanu Moshe – “Law he commanded to us, Moses.”

In other words, the subject is the Lord. He commanded the law to Moses who spoke out the words as in the first line. The scribe then repeated what is said, including Israel as the recipients because the law came from the Lord, through Moses.

The problem with this is that it then changes what Moses says. The words are complicated, and it is hard to definitively place them, but I think they were spoken just as they are written down.

The poem is about to enter into the blessings of the tribes. The law was given to them, and the blessings are likewise pronounced upon them.

The fact that the previous verses include the “peoples” doesn’t negate that the law was only for Israel. The result of what the Lord did, in relation to the law, is for all people. But Israel is the one who is given the schooling that is to lead to Jesus.

The lesson can be learned by all, but they are the ones who will live it out. Moses is of Israel, and so he is included in the address personally and as a part of the people. That explains why the words are given as they are – “Law he commanded to us, Moses.”

Ultimately, the law is from the Lord, and so He is the Subject, even if it is not stated directly. Hence, the words “to us” are inclusive of Moses, even if they came through Moses. He is not exempt from them. This is especially highlighted because it is he who will die outside of the land of promise.

^4 (con’t)A heritage of the congregation of Jacob.

morashah qehilath yaaqov – “Possession assembly Jacob.” The word being translated as “congregation” is incorrect. It should be “assembly.” The form of it used here is a feminine form of a more common word, and it is found in Scripture only here and in Nehemiah 5:7.

The words are speaking of the law. It is considered as a heritage, or possession, of the “assembly of Jacob,” meaning the tribes that issue from him. This is absolutely true. The law is not a heritage (or possession) of anyone else. It was given to Israel, it was to be lived out by Israel, and it awaited its fulfillment from within Israel.

Crossing the lines of who the law was given to, or who is required to observe it, forms the greatest controversy of the book of Acts, and it is the main subject of Paul’s earliest written epistle, Galatians.

It was a heritage of the assembly of Jacob, and it belongs to no other group of people, except as it is fulfilled in Christ who then annulled it through His death and instituted a New Covenant at the same time. With this understood, the words continue…

⁵And He was King in Jeshurun,

vayhi bishurun melek – “And He was in Jeshurun King.” The subject here is clearly the Lord, thus demonstrating that the analysis of the previous verse is at least correct in the intent of what is said. Moses may have given the law to Israel (“to us”), but it is the Lord who gave it through Moses.

There are two reasons why some ascribe these words as referring to Moses though. The first is to alleviate the difficulty of the previous verse by making him the only subject. The second is that he was the ruler over the people in the capacity of a king.

Both of these thoughts are incorrect. The issue with the previous verse has been explained. Also, Moses clearly disassociated himself from the idea of him being a king in Chapter 17 –

“When you come to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,’ ¹⁵you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.” Deuteronomy 17:14, 15

The idea of a king did not exist in Moses, and it continued to not exist until the time of Saul where the Lord said –

“And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.’” 1 Samuel 8:7

The words now refer to the Lord as King. The unusual nature of how Moses said what he said in the previous verse was certainly to highlight this fact. As such, the Lord, who gave the law through Moses, is said to be King in Jeshurun, or “Upright.” It is a proper noun used when referring to Israel.

As far as translating these words now as, “And He was King,” that is fine, but it must be understood what is being said. It is not saying, “He once was.” Rather, it is saying that at a certain point “He became the King.” There was a time when He was not the King of Jeshurun, and then at a particular point in time, He was. That point in time was…

^{5 (con’t)}When the leaders of the people were gathered,

b’hitaseph rashe am – “In gathering leaders people.” This is referring to what was stated in Exodus 19 –

“So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him.” Exodus 19:7

At this time, the proposition was set forth by the Lord –

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. ⁶And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:5, 6

The words, “a kingdom of priests,” implies there is a King by which they become a kingdom. It was at Sinai, mentioned in verse 2, that Moses now refers to the Lord becoming the King. This is again testified to with the final words of the day…

*^{5 (fin)}All the tribes of Israel together.

yakhad shivte Yisrael – “together tribes Israel.” This continues to refer to the time at Sinai –

“Then all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do.’ So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.” Exodus 19:8

The leaders spoke for the tribes. Thus, when they accepted the words of the Lord, their answer stood for all of those under them. It was at this time that He was King in Jeshurun. Hence, the law was given to them, and they became the people of His kingdom.

As was seen, there are anticipations of Christ in the first verses of the passage today, but the law itself is a possession only of Israel. It has no part in what occurred in the Gentile world before the coming of Christ, and it has no part in the life of the people of God since Christ came, except as it is fulfilled in Him.

Unfortunately, this fact is either obscured or it is ignored because of faulty doctrine that has arisen within the church. There are those who say that the church has replaced Israel. The problem with this is that they will openly avow that the curses of the law have been, and continue to be, realized in Israel.

In this, there is an obvious disconnect in their thinking. If the law is finished and obsolete, and if the church has replaced Israel, then it cannot be that the curses of the law still belong to Israel. Or, if the law is not through, then the curses of Israel would then belong to the church. The thinking is unclear, unsound, and wrong.

Others claim that the precepts of the law are still binding on the church. But again, in this passage, as has been consistently seen, the law was given to Israel and to no other group. If the law is binding upon us today, it would mean that the church had, in fact, replaced or become a part of Israel.

As such, the curses would belong to this body, inclusive of those who had come to Christ. But this is completely contrary to the words of the epistles. An example is found in Galatians 3 –

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), ¹⁴that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13, 14

Again, the thinking is unclear, unsound, and just plain wrong. We must keep our theological boxes straight, or we will fall into great error. In this, those who are taught that the church replaced Israel will never know the true Jesus who is presented in Scripture, nor will they accept the true gospel message which God has presented to the world.

The law anticipated Christ, and it awaited His coming. It was then fully lived out through His life’s actions, and it was annulled in the shedding of His blood. This is what we must remember as we contemplate what is presented by Moses. He wrote of Christ, and it is only in Him that this law finds its true purpose and value.

Our futile attempts at living it out, as if we are bound by it, do not glorify Him at all. Rather, they diminish what Jesus has done, and they bring a curse upon us. That is all the law can do with fallen man. Let us trust in Christ who took this great and terrible burden from us. In this, God will be pleased with our lives as we live them out before Him.

Closing Verse: “Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah
²⁰Our God is the God of salvation;
And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” Psalm 68:19, 20

Next Week: Deuteronomy 33:6-11 Moses will bless until the blessing is done… (Moses Blesses Israel, Part I) (100^th Deuteronomy Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. But He also has expectations of you as He prepares you for entrance into His Land of Promise. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

The Lord Came From Sinai

Now this is the blessing
With which Moses the man of God, as we have read
Blessed the children of Israel
Before his death. And he said:

“The LORD came from Sinai
And dawned on them from Seir
He shone forth from Mount Paran
And He came with ten thousands of saints from there

From His right hand like a diadem
Came a fiery law for them

Yes, He loves the people
All His saints are in Your hand
They sit down at Your feet
Everyone receives Your words, words so grand

Moses commanded a law for us
A heritage of the congregation of Jacob
———-And He was King in Jeshurun
When the leaders of the people were gathered
All the tribes of Israel together as one

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

And we shall be content and satisfied in You alone
We will follow You as we sing our songs of praise
Hallelujah to You; to us Your path You have shown
Hallelujah we shall sing to You for all of our days

Hallelujah and Amen…

Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. ²And he said:

“The Lord came from Sinai,
And dawned on them from Seir;
He shone forth from Mount Paran,
And He came with ten thousands of saints;
From His right hand
Came a fiery law for them.
³Yes, He loves the people;
All His saints are in Your hand;
They sit down at Your feet;
Everyone receives Your words.
⁴Moses commanded a law for us,
A heritage of the congregation of Jacob.
⁵And He was King in Jeshurun,
When the leaders of the people were gathered,
All the tribes of Israel together.

Deuteronomy 32:44-54 (Because You Did Not Hallow Me)

Artwork by Doug Kallerson.

Deuteronomy 32:44-52
Because You Did Not Hallow Me

One of the things that never ceases to surprise me is when someone who has been watching our sermons for a length of time, as much as multiple years, will email me, call me, or ask me about some point or another that stems from the modern-day Judaizers – the Hebrew Roots movement – and ask if that point is true.

We talk frequently about doctrine in the sermons and Bible studies. We’ve discussed positive things like eternal salvation, and negative things like reintroducing the law – in part or in whole.

There are some things I’ve mentioned only a few times and I can see how someone might have missed that point or maybe forgotten it. I have forgotten a ton of what I have taught in the past myself. But there are other things that I have brought up so often, and so directly, that I’m not sure how anyone who has seen more than even a handful of sermons or studies could fail to get what I am conveying.

This doesn’t mean they agree or disagree with me on those points. I am referring to not knowing what I teach on them. How anyone could ask me, “Hey Charlie, I heard someone say we should not be eating pork. Is that correct?” When I hear something like that, I have to wonder if that person has paid attention for even one sermon.

Text Verse: “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:18, 19

The meaning of the words of our text verse is that the law, meaning the law of Moses, is annulled. The word means nullified, voided, repealed, and so on. The reason why that occurred is because it was 1) weak, and 2) it was unprofitable.

The law was incapable of making anything perfect, and so Christ – who was already perfect – brought it to an end. It is done. For more clarification on that, please also read Hebrew 8:13 and 10:9. There is no part of the Law of Moses that we are bound to. Not a single precept.

Rather, we learn from the law about Christ, and then we come to Christ and learn our doctrine and theology from the New Testament epistles. If there is nothing else that you ever learn from the Superior Word, please hear this: Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes.

Do not listen to these Hebrew Roots people, or to anyone else who reinserts precepts from the Law of Moses into their New Covenant theology. Reject them! And yes, tithing is a precept of the Law of Moses too. Eat your pork, forget about tithing, and hold fast to Jesus. That’s it!

It’s all to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. For It Is Not an Empty Word from You (verses 44-47)

The Song of Moses was completed in last week’s sermon, but it is referred to in our first verses today. As it is his swan song, and because I would like you to hear it as I translated it, I will read it to you before we enter into the sermon verses.

I’m not saying this is a better translation; it’s not. It’s just more literal. Where Moses uses a verb as a noun, that it was I have done. Or where he uses a noun instead of an adjective, that is what I have done. Therefore, it is probably less understandable, but it is more precise than you might otherwise hear. And yes, I am sure there are errors in this. But it is my best effort after about 50 hours of study. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Give ear you, the heavens, and I will speak.

And hear, the earth, words my mouth.

Let drop as the rain my teaching.

Stream as the dew, my speech.

As showers upon the tender grass.

And as abundant drops upon the tender herbs.

For Name Yehovah I invoke.

Ascribe you [all] greatness to our God!

The Rock!

Perfect His work.

For all His ways just.

God of stability and no unrighteousness.

Righteous and upright HE.

He [Israel] has corrupted himself.

Not His sons.

Their blemish.

Generation twisted and warped.

Do to Yehovah you [all] do this?

People foolish and no wise.

Not HE your Father your Purchaser?

HE made you and established you.

Remember days antiquity.

Mentally scan years generation and generation.

Ask your father and he is to declare to you.

Your elders and they will say to you.

In bequeathing Most High nations.

In His separating sons of man.

He establishes boundaries peoples.

To number sons Israel.

For portion Yehovah His people.

Jacob line His inheritance.

He finds him in a land – a wilderness.

And in chaos – a howling, wasteland.

He encompasses him; He educates him.

He guards him as little man His eye.

As eagle wakes up his nest.

Over His young He flutters.

Spreads His wings; He takes him.

He lifts him up on His pinions.

Yehovah alone He leads him.

And no with Him god foreign.

He makes him ride upon high places earth.

And he eats produce fields.

And he makes to suck honey from crag.

And oil from flinty rock.

Curd cattle and milk flock.

With fat lambs.

And rams sons of Bashan and goats.

With fat kidneys wheat.

And blood grape you drink wine.

And he grows fat, Yeshurun, and he kicks.

You grew fat! You grew thick!

You are bulging!

And he deserts God who made him.

And he humiliates Rock his salvation.

They move Him to jealousy in strangers.

In abominations they are provoking Him to indignation.

They are sacrificing to the demons, not God.

‘Gods’ no they knew.

Newbies, from near they came.

No have they dreaded, your fathers.

Rock brought forth you; may you forget!

And you have forgotten God in travail with you.

And saw, Yehovah, and spurned.

From provocation His sons and His daughters.

And He said, I will hide My face from them.

I will see what their end.

For generation contrariness.

They children no trustworthiness in them.

They provoked me jealous in ‘no-god.’

They have moved Me to indignation in their bubbles.

And I, I will provoke them to jealousy in no-people.

In nation foolish I will move them to indignation.

For fire kindled in My nostril.

And shall burn even to Sheol lowest.

And consume land and her increase.

And enflame foundations mountains.

I will amass upon them evils.

My arrows I will expend in them.

Emaciated, hunger.

And consumed fever and depletion bitter.

And fang beasts I will send in them.

With a burning, reptiles dust.

From out shall bereave sword.

And from inner chambers, dread.

Also young man; also virgin.

Suckling with man advancement.

I have said: ‘I will blow them away.’

I will cause to cease from mankind memory them.

If not provocation enemy I would abide.

Lest should discern their adversaries.

Lest they will say: ‘Our hand is exalted!

And no Yehovah who accomplished all this.

For nation devoid prudence they.

And no in them understanding.

If they were wise, they would understand this!

They would consider to their latter end!

How could chase one a thousand?

And two cause to flee a multitude?

For their Rock had sold them.

And Yehovah delivered them.

For no like our Rock their rock.

And our enemies, judges.

For from vine Sodom their vine.

And from fields Gomorrah.

Their grapes, grapes of poison.

Clusters bitter to them.

Burning of serpents their wine.

And poison vipers cruel.

They not stored with Me?

Sealed in My treasuries?

To Me vengeance and recompense.

To time shall waver their foot.

For near day their calamity.

And hasten readied [things] to them.

For will judge Yehovah His people.

And upon His servants He will comfort.

For He sees for is disappeared hand.

And none restraining and relinquishing.

And He said: ‘Where their gods?’

Rock they refuged in?

Who fat their sacrifices they eat!

They drink wine their libations.

They arising and they helping you!

May it be over you haven!

See now! For I, I HE!

And no God with Me.

I, I terminate, and I life-sustain.

I have shattered, and I heal.

And no from My hand deliver.

For I lift up unto heavens My hand.

And I say, ‘Live I to eternity.’

If I whet brilliance My sword.

And grasps in judgment My hand.

I will return vengeance to My adversaries.

And to those hating Me I repay.

I make drunk My arrows from blood.

And My sword devours flesh.

From blood slain and captives.

From head freemen enemy.

Rejoice you, nations, His people!

For blood His servants He will avenge.

And vengeance He returns to His adversaries.

And He has atoned His earth, His people.

⁴⁴So Moses came with Joshua the son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people.

The order of words in the NKJV doesn’t really convey the sense of the Hebrew. Plus, the Hebrew reads Hoshea, not Joshua. It more literally reads, “And comes Moses, and speaks all words of this song in the ears of the people – he and Hoshea the son of Nun.”

The name Hoshea is used only three times when referring to Joshua. It is seen elsewhere in Numbers 13:8 and Numbers 13:16. In the latter, it says, “These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua.”

The name Hoshea means “Salvation.” However, where the prefixed “H” at the beginning of the name is from is debated. It could be the definite article, thus meaning “The Salvation.” It could also be affixed as a sort of exclamation. If so, Abarim then renders the name, “Yo! Saved!”

Moses is the principal who has come forth and spoken out the words. Hoshea has come with him, being only incidentally noted. He probably sat with Moses, but the reading was accomplished by Moses.

However, this is perfectly in accord with the words of verse 31:19 where the command to write down the words of the song was stated in the plural, indicating both Moses and Joshua –

“Now therefore, write [pl.] down this song for yourselves, and teach [sg.] it to the children of Israel; put [sg.] it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel.”

Moses and Joshua were to write it, meaning probably that Moses spoke it forth while Joshua wrote, thus both participating. And then Moses was to teach it and put it in their mouths. Thus, what is recorded now is a precise fulfillment of that.

As for using the name Hoshea (Salvation), instead of Yehoshua (the Lord is Salvation), regardless of any other reason, this absolutely identifies that it is the same person who had been faithful forty years earlier and who had stood on the side of the Lord when all the spies and the people had rebelled against Him.

Hoshea was designated to go into Canaan. At that time, Moses called him Yehoshua, a name he has been called since. However, just prior to entering the land, he is once again designated by his original name, Hoshea.

It is thus not unlike Jacob who was twice named Israel (Genesis 32:28 and Genesis 35:10). In this, (Hoshea/Yehoshua – Salvation/Yah is Salvation) we see hints of Jesus (Yeshua) who is Salvation, and who is the Lord (Yehovah) who is Salvation. Jesus came to save His people because He is the Lord who saves His people.

In this verse, and in the surrounding picture of events, there is this rather incredible expression of what God is doing. The Lord speaks His word to and through Moses (He who draws out). It anticipates the Lord Jesus drawing out the will of the Lord – His standard.

Joshua (Yah is Salvation – God in Christ) is there, included in the writing of the word. The Lord (Yehovah) is expressing Himself through the Word. Now, the name is changed to Hoshea (Salvation). He is there receiving the word. The humanity of Jesus receives the word and embodies it.

Moses cannot enter the promise but must die outside of it. Christ Jesus dies in fulfillment of the law and the law dies with Him. Jesus (Salvation) rises as the Giver of the New Covenant, confirming He is the Lord (Yehovah) who is Salvation.

How do you express all of what Christ Jesus is doing? You introduce several figures to represent the various roles, and in the middle of the process you introduce a secondary name to indicate the role He will then fulfill in a unique way.

The entire process is just at the edge of what the mind can grasp, but it is clear enough to reveal what God would do in Christ – the God/Man.

As for Hoshea’s father, Nun, and as noted already, it is the confirmation that it is the same family, and he is the same faithful person noted in Numbers. And more, it is also a confirmation of what the Lord will do.

Nun is from the verb nun, to propagate, or increase. This is what Christ would do, increasing the family of God through His completed work. As for the law itself, which includes the speaking forth of the song…

⁴⁵Moses finished speaking

v’kal mosheh l’daber – “And finished Moses to speak.” The meticulous recording of the fact is given to show complete and absolute obedience to the previous command. Nothing directed by the Lord has gone by the wayside, including the speaking out of…

^{45 (con’t)}all these words to all Israel,

The voice of Moses personally spoke out the words to those who represented all of Israel. Hence, it is “to all Israel” not just at this time, but for all time. In his speaking forth the words, and in the recording that he has done so, it stands as a witness for all Israel for all time. This is certainly the sense that should be derived here, and it is reflected in what he next says…

⁴⁶and he said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words

The Hebrew is direct – “Set to your hearts to all the words.” The heart refers to the mind, the seat of reasoning. Moses is telling them that they are to take the words and set them to their minds, meaning fix them firmly there.

This must be considered a command in and of itself. As such, to fail to do so, which is something anyone who has not completely memorized them is guilty of, then it is its own violation of the law. The impossible trap of noncompliance is practically written into what is said. It makes the knowledge of God in Christ all the sweeter to consider. Moses is referring to the words…

^{46 (con’t)}which I testify among you today,

The verb ud comes from a root signifying to duplicate or repeat. It is that which comes around again. In other words, Moses is bringing around again that which he received, duplicating it in the ears of the people. It is that which the Lord spoke to Moses, using the noun form, ed, in the previous chapter –

“Now therefore, write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel. ²⁰When I have brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey, of which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them; and they will provoke Me and break My covenant. ²¹Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of their descendants, for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them.” Deuteronomy 31:19-21

Thus, they are the very words of the Lord, and they are those same words…

^{46 (con’t)}which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law.

The words continue in the plural, “you all shall command.” It is a directive not just for the nation in general, but everyone in the nation in particular. The people were to learn the words, and they were to command them to their children. The unceasing nature of the mandate is clearly noted here.

It’s rather tragic too, because if you were to ask the most basic question of the law to almost any Jewish person today, they might (?) get the names of the books of Moses right, but not much more. The utter failure of their keeping of the law is reflected in this, and the sentiment today is that found at the time of Jeremiah –

“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’”
¹²And they said, “That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.” Jeremiah 18:11, 12

This is the burden of the law, and is it that which was intended to conduct the people to Jesus. This was its true and ultimate purpose. The law, with all of its stern warnings of impending doom and judgment, is actually a letter of love pointing the weary soul to a restful abode in the presence of Christ.

But the law had to serve its time and have its purpose fulfilled. Until that time arrived, and until it was finally completed by Him, it was to be a guard for the people…

⁴⁷For it is not a futile thing for you,

Though nobody translates it this way, the preposition is “from,” not “for.” And more, it bears an emphasis: ki lo davar req hu mikem – “For not word empty, IT, from you.” Therefore, this is not speaking directly about Moses’ words to them, but the repetition of Moses’ words to the children –

“Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law. ⁴⁷For it is not a futile thing for [from] 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.”

The point here is that Israel is, in fact, going over to possess the land. But that possession will end if the word is not extended to those who come after this generation. Therefore, it is that Israel hears the word and applies it, but also passes it on. It is…

^{47 (con’t)}because it is your life,

Again, it bears an emphasis: ki hu khayekem – “For IT your life.” This is the last time that this thought is expressed in Deuteronomy. In fact, it is the last time that the word khai, or life, is spoken forth in the book. And it is directly speaking of the word. The word is equated to the life of the people. But what is the word that it can bear such power?

The word hu, or it, is a masculine pronoun, but because it is speaking of the word, the law, it is rendered “it.” However, in understanding one’s New Testament theology properly, one cannot help but see more clearly what John was thinking as he opened his gospel –

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4

It is hard to imagine that John was thinking of anything other than exactly this. Though written in Greek, John’s thinking was that of a Hebrew. Today, when the New Testament is translated into Hebrew, the same word, davar, is used when translating John 1:1.

Jesus Christ is the embodiment, the physical manifestation of, the word of God which is expressed through the law which Moses has put forth. Jesus explicitly said this to the people in both John 5:38, 39, and John 5:46. Therefore, to reject the word Moses conveys is to then reject everything anticipated in Christ. And to reject Christ, when He came, is to utterly reject the Lord God. As such…

^{47 (con’t)}and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land

It does not say “in the land,” rather: u-ba’davar ha’zeh taariku yamim al ha’adamah – “and in the word, the this, you shall prolong days upon the ground.” This is speaking less of Israel possessing Canaan itself than it is speaking of the people possessing life upon the ground.

What good would it be to possess the ground if the ground was barren, dried up, and dead? The people would die from famine. This is what is being more directly conveyed. Thus, “life” of the last clause is what is being connected to “prolong days.” And that is upon the ground…

^{47 (con’t)}which you cross over the Jordan to possess.”

As has been seen before, there is a sort of pun being conveyed here, where the verb translated as “cross over” is used: asher atem overim eth ha’yarden shamah l’rishtah – “which you ‘crossers-over’ the Jordan there to possess.”

The word overim, or “crossers over,” is identical in spelling to ivrim, or Hebrews. Hebrews are those who have “crossed over,” and these now are the “crosser overs.” As such, the typology of Christ is evident. Those who cross over the Jordan, which pictures the coming of Christ – the incarnation – are those who are the true Hebrews.

Israel is simply living out in type that which is more perfectly expressed in the person who comes to God through Christ.

It is your life and your length of days
Hold fast and cling to it, not in part but in whole
It is the guide to lead you always
And is the protector of your very soul

Let this word dwell in you richly always
Let your mouths express it in songs, psalms, and hymns as well
Let it be the path upon which you walk all your days
This word is life. It is your life, so to you I tell

Cling to this Word, the word of God that He gave for us
Let your mouths confess Him; He is your life and length of days
Come to the Word; come to the Lord Jesus
And He shall guide you forever, even for eternal days

II. Because You Did Not Hallow Me (verses 48-52)

⁴⁸Then the Lord spoke to Moses that very same day, saying:

The words “that very same day” are from the Hebrew b’etsem ha’yom ha’zeh, “in bone the day the this.” It is an idiomatic expression found several times in Genesis through Leviticus, but this is the only time it is stated in Deuteronomy.

The expression “in bone” means “the same,” coming from Adam’s proclamation when he was presented with his wife –

“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:23

To identify something “in bone” means it is that and none other. As such, this is referring to the fact that Moses spoke out the words of the song, and on that exact same day he was given the instructions that are just ahead. They are a close repeat to the words of Numbers 27 –

“Now the Lord said to Moses: ‘Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. ¹³And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered. ¹⁴For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes.’ (These are the waters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)” Numbers 27:12-14

With that brought to memory, the narrative continues with…

⁴⁹“Go up this mountain of the Abarim,

aleh el har ha’avarim hazeh – “Go up into Mount the Abarim the this.” Moses is instructed to go into the mount of the Abarim. The word comes from avar, meaning to pass over, by, or through. The “im” at the end is a plural marker, like our “s.” Thus, it is “The Crossings Over” or “The Regions Beyond.”

They are in the regions beyond Canaan, and Canaan is actually the point of reference. The specific mount is then next stated…

^{49 (con’t)}Mount Nebo,

The name Nebo is most likely derived from navi, or prophet. Thus, it means something like prophet, interpreter, spokesperson, or foreteller. Another word it is connected to is navah, meaning high or prominent. It is to the high places that people would go in order to get “nearer” to God and to receive a word from Him or sacrifice to Him. As such, a secondary meaning is height.

Therefore, it would be a high place where someone would go to receive a word, a vision, a prophecy, and so on. That is actually fitting for the occasion.

^{49 (con’t)}which is in the land of Moab,

The words are spoken to Moses who is in the land. He is not unaware of the fact. As such, the name is a reminder to him that he will not enter Canaan. He is dying in the land known as “From Father,” which is…

^{49 (con’t)}across from Jericho;

al pene Yerekho – “upon face Jericho.” The meaning is “facing Jericho.” When on the mountain, the immediate sight would be the city. The name Yerekho (with various spellings) has a dual significance. It means City of the Moon, and it means Place of Fragrance. It is from this place, the Mount of the Prophet (or the Mount of Height), looking toward the Place of Fragrance, that Moses will…

^{49 (con’t)}view the land of Canaan,

The name Canaan is derived from the word kana, “to humble,” or “to subdue.” That comes from a root signifying “to bend the knee.” Thus, it signifies something like humiliated, or humbled, or even subdued. It is also connected to the word signifying a merchant. It is this land…

^{49 (con’t)}which I give to the children of Israel as a possession;

It is the land of promise, the land of inheritance, and the land that will become the possession of Israel. The original intent was that it was to be their place of rest, but that was only so far as it is typical of the true place of rest which was lost at the fall of man.

Israel is the redeemed nation, and the land in that state of having been redeemed is Canaan. Everything being stated here, and everything which occurs is given in typology. It anticipates the coming of Christ, His work, and what that work then makes available to those who receive it. As for Moses, that is not the case…

⁵⁰and die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people, just as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people;

The Lord specifically brings in the matter of ascending (alah), being on a mountain, and dying – just as Aaron died on hor ha’har, or “Mount of the Mountain.” A one-to-one comparison to what happened to Aaron is being made concerning Moses’ own death…

⁵¹because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel

The word “because” gives the sense, but it reads more precisely, saying, al asher mealtem bi b’tok bene Yisrael – “upon which you (pl.) acted treacherously against Me in midst children Israel.”

Using this form, al asher, upon which, He is linking it to their ascent (alah). The two words are connected, the one al coming from the other alah. It thus helps explain why Aaron and now Moses had to ascend at their deaths. Their defiance was…

^{51 (con’t)}at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin,

The name Meribah is derived from what occurred. There was riv, or strife, and so the name of the place was called Merivah, meaning Place of Quarreling. The name Kadesh comes from the verb qadash, meaning to hallow or set apart. Thus, the whole name would signify something like Sacred Place of Quarreling. That is said to be…

^{51 (con’t)}in the Wilderness of Zin,

The wilderness is a place of testing. Zin means “thorn.” But it also is connected to a word signifying a place of dryness. As such, it is where the thorn would flourish. This is where they were to draw water from the rock by speaking to it. But they failed to do so…

^{51 (con’t)}because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel.

Again, the Lord repeats the words of the first clause: al asher lo qidashtem oti b’tok bene Yisrael – “upon which no you (pl.) hallowed Me in midst sons Israel.” Putting the corresponding thoughts side by side can help you see what is being conveyed –

“Go up (alah) into mountain.”
“And die on the mountain which you ascend (alah).”
“upon which (al asher) / you acted treacherously against Me / in midst sons Israel.”
“upon which (al asher) / you did not hallow Me / in midst sons Israel.”

The law (Moses and Aaron) is the problem that must be rectified, and it must occur before Israel can enter into the possession. Having said that, a note of grace is extended to Moses in his ascent…

⁵²Yet you shall see the land before you,

ki mi’neged tireh eth ha’arets – “For from before you shall see the land.” The meaning is clear. Moses will look forward from the ascent and he will front his face to Israel, viewing it from a distance…

*^52 (fin)though you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving to the children of Israel.”

The sentence of dying outside of the land of promise was pronounced. It will not be amended. Moses, who represents the law, will see the land from a distance, but he will not enter into what the sons of Israel shall receive.

You shall die outside the inheritance
Because You did not hallow Me
Even when I gave you every chance
You were unable to perform accordingly

There is a disconnect that must be corrected
The law must be first taken away
Because there is a flaw that has been detected
And so, it must be this way

It is by the law that comes the knowledge of sin
And in that knowledge, all become guilty before Me
Through the law, one is completely done in
If you don’t get that, look to the cross and you will see

I the Lord will accomplish all that needs to be done
When I give of Myself in giving My Son

III. Pictures of Christ

As we progressed through the verses, there has been some explanation of what is going on, but to draw it all together, and without trying to stretch the meaning too far, each word of the second section is intended to fit together to form a story.

Moses, he who draws out – meaning the law from the Lord – is to ascend the mountain of the Regions Beyond, the Mount of Height, which is in the land of From Father, across from the Place of Fragrance and there he will view the Land of the Humbled, the place which the children of Israel are set to possess.

Moses anticipates Christ who ultimately draws out the word of the Lord, being the very Word of God. The law must come first in order to anticipate Him. In order for the children of Israel to enter the promise, though, there must be a change in the structure of things.

A promise was already made to Abraham concerning the inheritance. It was based on faith, not on the law. As Paul says, “For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise” (Galatians 3:18).

This must be resolved then. The law is contrary to the promise. The law is not of faith at all. The two are diametrically opposed. As this is so, Moses is given to anticipate what actually occurred in Christ. It was Christ Jesus who went to the regions beyond, outside of the promise.

He is the Prophet who came from the Father and who embodied the law that came from Him while the in Place of Fragrance, heaven, meaning the Land of the Humbled, remained at a distance. But it is set apart for the children of Israel. Their entrance is emblematic of those who will enter the promise once the law is dealt with.

The Land of the Humbled, Canaan, represents those who have humbled themselves before God in Christ. That is seen in several ways in the New Testament, but a couple of examples will show this –

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:14

“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ¹¹For it is written:
‘As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.’” Romans 14:10, 11

This is the goal, the hope, of those who come to Christ. But, as I said, before one can enter the Place of Fragrance, heaven, the law must be dealt with first. That is seen in the words concerning Aaron and Moses.

Both of them had to ascend mountains where they would die. Aaron ascended hor ha’ har, or “Mount of the Mountain.” Moses ascended Mount Nebo, or “Mount of Height.” The symbolism seems somewhat obvious. They both have represented the law.

Together they violated the word of the Lord, destroying the typology of salvation by faith in the completed work of Christ. They were told to simply speak to the rock and water would issue forth, as was recorded in Numbers 20.

The rock pictured Christ in his exaltation, and water was to issue forth by the simple word of faith. Instead, they struck the rock as they had at Horeb. But that pictured Christ in His suffering. What they did by striking and not speaking was not of faith at all.

It shows that the law is not of faith. It is a path of working one’s way to God, doing things in an attempt to receive what He instead freely offers. The work of the law was done by Christ Jesus. To instruct us on this more fully, Moses and Aaron, typical of the law, had to ascend under their own strength to the high place, and there they died – outside of the promise.

Their act of disobedience was recorded to highlight Christ’s perfect obedience. He lived out the law and He embodied it. But the law is not of the inheritance, and so Christ had to die in fulfillment of it. Without that, none could enter the promise, just as Israel under Moses could not.

If you can stretch your mind a bit, think of Moses on Mount Nebo and of Christ on the cross. What does Paul say about that moment as He died?

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15

Moses looked with longing at the land of promise, stretching his vision out to see what Israel would receive. Christ, the embodiment of the law, looked forward to what we would receive. Until He died, the inheritance remained distant and inaccessible to us, and – indeed – even to Him.

He had to complete what was set before Him. Moses ascended and looked, Jesus ascended and looked. Moses was to die because he failed to provide the word of faith. Jesus died so that He could provide the word of faith, and so that we could receive what that word of faith offers.

The lesson of Moses is one that escapes a large portion of the people of the world. You cannot “do” in order to enter the inheritance. You must receive by speaking the word of faith. Everyone is doing and doing in order to get what has already been done. And because it was done by God in Christ, there can be no more doing.

When Paul said that the law was nailed to the cross, he means exactly that. Jesus Christ, the embodiment of this law, and the one that Moses eventually saw after he realized his own shortcomings, was nailed to the cross.

What was given through Moses was spoken forth by God. Christ is the One that spoke it out. Christ is the One it spoke of. And Christ is the One that completed that spoken word.

He hung on the cross, nailed to it. And He took away that law, meaning His own life, through death. In His death, He not only annulled one covenant, He established another.

If anyone thinks that Israel entered Canaan through law observance, they haven’t read the Bible. The priests bearing the ark stepped, by faith, into the rushing waters of the Jordan, and the waters stopped, allowing them to enter. That was an act of faith in the power of the Lord, and that ark was only a representation of the place where propitiation is made between God and man – the dead body of Jesus Christ.

Everything comes back to the thought of the cross. It is only through that marvelous spot where Jesus died that our heavenly hope is finally realized. The law was the obstacle, Christ removed that obstacle, and then He entered into His glory, making the way possible for us to enter with Him. This is the word of faith which we preach and by which you are saved.

Be sure to accept that word, believe with your heart, and confess with your mouth that God raised Him from the dead. In this, the things of life will go well with you.

Closing Verse: “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, ²⁰and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:19, 20

Next Week: Matthew 27:23 Pilate asks about God’s only begotten Son… (What Evil Has He Done?) (Resurrection Day 2022 sermon)

Because You Did Not Hallow Me

So Moses came with Joshua the son of Nun
And spoke all the words of this song
In the hearing of the people
So that forever they would carry it along

Moses finished speaking these words to all Israel
And he said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words
———-which I testify among you today
Which you shall command your children
To be careful to observe—all the words of this law, so to you I say

For it is not a futile thing for you
Because it is your life, so to you I address
And by this word you shall prolong your days
In the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess

Then the LORD spoke to Moses that very same day
Saying: “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo
Which is in the land of Moab
Across from Jericho

View the land of Canaan
Which I give to the children of Israel as a possession
And die on the mountain which you ascend
And be gathered to your people; it is your final session

Just as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor
And was gathered to his people, becoming a has been
Because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel
At the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin

Because you did not hallow Me, so to you I tell
In the midst of the children of Israel

Yet you shall see the land before you
Though you shall not go there, as to you I tell
Into the land which I am giving
To the children of Israel

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

Hallelujah and Amen…

Deuteronomy 32:34-43 (The Song of Moses, Part V)

Painting by Doug Kallerson.

Deuteronomy 32:34-43
The Song of Moses, Part V

If you grab the pages of the epistles of Paul between two fingers, it is an astonishingly slim body of writing. Try it and you will actually be amazed at how thin it is. And yet, people have been debating and arguing over what Paul wrote for two thousand years.

And this isn’t simply because no one has sat down and analyzed his words closely to determine their exact meaning. Every single word has been studied and analyzed. They have been counted and compared, they have been meditated upon and memorized – by innumerable really intelligent scholars.

People argue over the meaning of many words, verses, and concepts in those few pages gleefully claiming they have the truth, and those of an opposing view are just a bunch of heretics. Despite this, one thing is for sure: If you don’t thoroughly know the man and his point of reference, you will not understand what he is saying in many cases.

And the only way to know those things is to know the body of literature in which he was schooled. Paul was a Pharisee, and he was of Israel. You must look at the Scriptures that formed him to understand what he is saying. If you don’t, you will misread the intent of his words.

There is another problem: our own incorrect presuppositions. Unless they are corrected, we will continue to be faulty until we finally stand before the Lord and are corrected by Him personally.

Text Verse: “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.’” Romans 12:17-19

In those verses, Paul cites the words of Deuteronomy 32 that we will look at today. He quoted Moses there in Romans, and the author of Hebrews uses it in a different context as well. Though not named, it is pretty certain that Hebrews was also written by Paul.

Since Paul’s writing consistently quotes the Old Testament, having a knowledge of it gives needed context. Because if you don’t have it, you will never properly understand what he is saying. In getting these things wrong, your understanding of our state now, and of what is coming in the future as well, will be skewed. This includes the book of Revelation because what we will look at today is a foundational part of what will later be revealed there.

It is so good that you are joining us as we look at each word, clause, and verse of this unbelievably marvelous piece of literature. It opens up what lies ahead and presents it to Israel and to us in a remarkable way.

Yes, great things are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. Where Are Their gods? (Verses 34-39)

While going through the verses of this poem, we’ve been following a breakdown of them I made concerning their structure. In the previous section (28-33), the evident nature of Israel’s unworthiness to be spared was detailed. Because of this, it highlighted that they have been, in fact, spared.

Now, verses 34-38 reveal the wisdom of allowing Israel to be brought to a state of utter calamity. When all of the other gods they pursue fail to deliver, that leads to… verse 39 which reveals that Yehovah has, through His interaction with Israel, demonstrated that He alone is God. With that understood, we now enter into these verses…

³⁴‘Is this not laid up in store with Me,

halo hu kamus imadi – “They not stored with Me?” Here is another word found only this once in the Bible, kamas. It comes from a primitive root meaning to store away. As such, it is used here figuratively to mean “stored in the memory.” What is this referring to?

There are varying views. One is that this is speaking of what will next be said concerning vengeance and wrath. I would disagree and say that it is looking back to what was already stated in order to then form a reason for what will be stated. In order to see this, one has to go back to the first verse of the previous section, verse 28 –

“For they are a nation void of counsel,
Nor is there any understanding in them.”

As such, most translations here are wrong, saying this in the singular, “Is this not…” However, two things are being referred to, counsel and understanding.

One can see how Moses is carefully weaving together the case against Israel, while at the same time he is carefully demonstrating the righteousness of the Lord in how He carries out His plans. He sets forth a premise, demonstrates how Israel fails based on that premise, and then calls the premise back to mind by showing that the qualities presented there belong to the Lord.

As such, if Israel would have followed sound advice, as is found in the Proverbs, they would have avoided all of these ills –

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6

Of this store of understanding and counsel, Moses next asks…

^{34 (con’t)}Sealed up among My treasures?

khatum b’otsrotay – “Sealed in My treasuries?” The word is otsar. It signifies a treasury, a place for depositing things, but it is in the plural construct. As such, it is referring to the secret places where the counsel and understanding of the Lord are kept away. A similar rendering is found in 1 Kings 15 –

“Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. ¹⁷And Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. ¹⁸Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and the treasuries of the king’s house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants. And King Asa sent them to Ben-Hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, ¹⁹‘Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a present of silver and gold. Come and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.’” 1 Kings 15:16-19

If one were to spend every moment of every day seeking new knowledge, such treasuries of the Lord could be considered. Within the minutest particle, there are treasuries of wisdom where atoms, protons, electrons, and so-ons spin and whirl.

In DNA, there are sequences that work in a four-dimensional manner, where time itself is factored into its operation. The treasuries of the Lord’s counsel and understanding are infinite. Each is sealed up, awaiting the time when it is to be opened in order to show forth the splendor of His wisdom.

And in the unfolding narrative of time, the storehouses of understanding and counsel are opened up to reveal His hand in the details of what occurs. And to show that it is He who has done it, he has given the prophetic word to show us that it is so.

In the structure of the verse, one can see how the Lord (as revealed through Moses) identifies these storehouses directly with Himself. As such, where His counsel and wisdom are kept they then form an expression of who He is –

(a) They not stored with Me,
(b) Sealed in My treasuries?

³⁵Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;

li naqam v’shilem – “To Me vengeance and recompense.” Here the noun shilem is seen in its only use. It is a repayment or a requital. The idea of the previous thought now naturally leads to this one.

Israel is a nation lacking prudence and understanding. These are found in the Lord, but Israel has rejected the Lord and gone their own perverse way. Therefore, He will display His counsel and understanding by bringing forth His vengeance and recompense. One thing leads to the next…

^{35 (con’t)}Their foot shall slip in due time;

l’eth tamut raglam – “To time shall waver their foot.” Notice the use of the plural and the singular together – “Their foot.” Israel is a people. It is as if they are on a climb through the ages and they are successfully progressing. But then they suddenly come to a point that is unstable and precipitous.

At this point, they have to tread carefully, but they cannot. Their foot begins to waver because their strength fails them…

^{35 (con’t)}For the day of their calamity is at hand,

ki qarov yom edam – “For near day their calamity.” It is a new word, ed. Either “calamity” or “ruin” is probably the best way to express the thought. To understand what is being articulated, all we need to do is look at what is going on in the world in relation to Israel today.

Israel will be at a point where they have climbed the hill. They are on the way to the summit. They have attained the status among the nations that they absolutely crave – proving that it is by their hand, their might, their innovation, their smarts, and their superiority that they have gone from nothing to the epitome of national grandeur. But then, their foot will slip, and their calamity will be right in front of them…

^{35 (con’t)}And the things to come hasten upon them.’

v’khash athidoth lamo – “And hasten readied [things] to them.” Again, Moses pulls out a new word, athid. It is an adjective coming from a word meaning “to be ready.” As such, it is a way of saying that there are things that have been prepared to occur, and at that time – when their foot begins to give way, those readied things will come rushing upon them.

One can think of someone strolling along life’s highway, thinking everything is fine, but because he has rejected the Lord, certain disaster lies ahead. A perfect example of this would be the king of Babylon, as is seen in Daniel 4 –

“At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. ³⁰The king spoke, saying, ‘Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?’
³¹While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! ³²And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.’” Daniel 4:29-32

This is what it will be like for Israel. They will look around, assured of their greatness, and everything will collapse around them, all because they failed to include the Lord in their devices.

Our text verse today cited a portion of this verse. Likewise, it is used by the author of Hebrews to remind Hebrew believers of that to which Moses refers, meaning the unchanging character of God in regard to such things –

“Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ ³¹It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:29-31

In looking at this verse, it is seen that the first clause sets up what is presented in the next three –

(-) To Me vengeance and recompense.
(*) To time shall waver their foot.
(*) For near day their calamity.
(*) And hasten readied [things] to them.

It is in this setting up of the events of the future, to demonstrate His very nature, that the Lord then acts…

³⁶“For the Lord will judge His people

ki yadin Yehovah amo – “For will judge Yehovah His people.” Depending on who is commenting, this is taken as a judgment of Israel or a judgment for Israel. What seems likely is that it is both. The words have all led to the thought that Israel is in need of being judged. This is a given.

But if the Lord were to judge them according to their conduct, they would be utterly obliterated as a people. But that would be to violate the very covenant promises that He had obligated Himself to. Thus, as the Bible later reveals, He will allow the nations to be His means of judgment upon Israel while at the same time He will judge against the nations in favor of Israel…

^{36 (con’t)}And have compassion on His servants,

v’al avadav yitnekham – “And upon His servants He will comfort.” The sense appears to be properly explained by Albert Barnes, “The verse declares that God’s judgment of His people would issue at once in the punishment of the wicked, and in the comfort of the righteous.” This will come about…

^{36 (con’t)}When He sees that their power is gone,

ki yireh ki azelath yad – “For He sees for is disappeared hand.” And yet another new word comes in, azal. It signifies “to go.” As something goes, it is then gone, disappeared. The hand signifies authority, ability, power, etc. In this case, it is specifically their power that is being referred to.

A really good way of thinking of this might be Israel’s modern Iron Dome system. They do, and will, rely on it for their protection. And, indeed, how incredible it was to see it perform recently! But once the war was over, it desperately needed to be replenished.

The US agreed and sent them replacements. Israel is used to simply buying more, getting better, relying on their own power and might to forge ahead.

However, someday, there will be no more replacements. Israel will want to buy more but that will be a problem. There will be no more aid. They will stand naked and exposed, readied for total defeat…

^{36 (con’t)}And there is no one remaining, bond or free.

The clause forms an alliterative paronomasia: v’ephes atsur v’azuv – “And none restraining and relinquishing.” The words speak of the state of people.

There are those who are at home, and there are those who head out. Those who are getting married, and those who are getting divorced. There are those who are having children, and those whose children are grown up and moving away. It is simply a way of saying, “This refers to everybody.”

The second two clauses of this verse give an explanation for what is stated in the first two. And within the sets there are obvious comparisons that I have set off with matching characters –

(a) For *will judge Yehovah -His people.
(a) And upon -His servants He *will comfort.
For He sees:
(b) for is *disappeared -hand.
(b) *And none -restraining and relinquishing.

³⁷He will say: ‘Where are their gods,

v’amar ay elohemo – “And He said: ‘Where their gods?’” It is almost a mocking of their stupidity. They have trusted in vapor. Anything they thought they could rely on has vanished, and the Lord looks down upon them knowing what they would be without Him. But instead of worshipping Him, they had squandered away everything by hiding within futility…

^{37 (con’t)}The rock in which they sought refuge?

tsur khasayu bo – “Rock they refuged in?” Again, there is a new verb, khasah, to seek refuge. As before, the thought of the Iron Dome comes to mind. To the mind of the people, it is almost a “god” of protection that encompasses them. “We are invincible because of what we have created.”

And so, the Lord lets them simmer in their giddiness, knowing that it is a system of Tinker Toys that simply cannot be trusted. This is a good analogy to the words of this clause. “Where is your trust?” That is what Israel should contemplate and resolve, but only when the answer is, “The Lord.”

This verse contains a statement leading into two parallel clauses –

And He said:
(a) ‘Where their gods?’
(a) Rock they refuged in?

³⁸Who ate the fat of their sacrifices,

The NKJV makes this verse into a question, but it is a statement of fact (and maybe even exclamation) concerning the gods just mentioned. Also, the verb is imperfect: asher khelev zebakhemo yokelu – “Who fat their sacrifices they eat!”

It is as if the gods of Israel are sitting down having a feast while the people are being eradicated. The people offered to these false gods, and they are too busy enjoying the offerings to care what is going on around them…

^{38 (con’t)}And drank the wine of their drink offering?

yishtu yen nesikam – “They drink wine their libations.” The sense of mocking continues. It is a real party as the gods fill themselves up on what has been offered – “Hey, pour out some more wine!” Israel’s gods, that are no gods at all, are having a party while the nation is on the brink of utter ruin.

If Israel has been making offerings to these gods, well then…

^{38 (con’t)}Let them rise and help you,

The verbs are imperfect, adding to the taunting effect: yaqumu v’yazerukhem – “They arising and they helping you!” It is as if the Lord is saying, “Herrrrre they come… any minute now. They just have to finish another bite. Maybe a bit more wine too. Hooold on, hold on…” With that, He then says…

^{38 (con’t)}And be your refuge.

The words begin with a jussive: yehi alekhem sithrah – “May it be over you haven!” The sense is that they have chosen their worthless gods that are too busy dining on their offerings to do anything else. But the Lord says, “Tough! You want them to protect you, then they are your hiding place, your haven. See how that works out!”

In this verse, the first two clauses are set in parallel, but turned around for effect, while the second two are parallel with the first anticipating a fulfilled action in the second –

(a) Who *fat their sacrifices -they eat!
(a) -They drink *wine their libations.
(b) They arising and they helping you.
(b) May it be over you haven!

³⁹‘Now see that I, even I, am He,

There is a strong emphasis in the Hebrew: reu atah ki ani ani hu – “See now! For I, I HE!” The Lord is adamantly telling Israel to open their eyes and understand. There are no other gods, not even one. He alone is God, and He alone called and established them. And yet, they have to open their eyes before they can see it.

The sentiment that is pronounced here is partially repeated in various ways in Isaiah 41-46. None state it exactly, but an example is found in the word of the Lord to the pagan king Cyrus –

“I am the Lord, and there is no other;
There is no God besides Me.
I will gird you, though you have not known Me,
⁶That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting
That there is none besides Me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;
⁷I form the light and create darkness,
I make peace and create calamity;
I, the Lord, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:5-7

Likewise, the next clause is found in the same section of Isaiah and also elsewhere in Isaiah as well…

^{39 (con’t)}And there is no God besides Me;

v’en Elohim imadi – “And no God with Me.” There is God, and there are gods. There is no contradiction in saying this if the reference is understood. What is clearly being stated is that Yehovah is God. He alone. Any other god is a part of what He has created, but with Him, there is no God.

It is something that can be logically deduced. Because there is existence, say you and me, then God (a Necessary Being) must exist. This is an undeniable truth, and because God cannot create another “one and only God.” Therefore, there must be – by default – only one God.

This is all explained in the Genesis 1:1 sermon using what are known as the First Principles. What the Lord states here is to be taken as an axiom. Israel has failed to complete its courses on logic and Theology Proper. For now, the Lord speaks on…

^{39 (con’t)}I kill and I make alive;

The verbs are imperfect: ani amith va’akhayeh – “I, I terminate, and I life-sustain.” The power of both life and death belong to the Lord alone. What he decides should end will be terminated, and what He determines should continue will continue.

This phrase was remembered and then quoted by Hannah in her prayer at the dedication of Samuel to the Lord –

“The Lord kills and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave and brings up.” 1 Samuel 2:6

Along with this, the Lord speaks further…

^{39 (con’t)}I wound and I heal;

The second verb is imperfect, adding to the dramatic effect: makhatsti va’ani erpa – “I have shattered, and I heal.” One might think of the world at the flood. It was broken up and destroyed, shattered and thrown into complete confusion. Yet, in the shortest of spans, Noah and his family simply walked off the ark and began life again.

Israel, too, will be crushed and shattered, along with the entire world, but the Lord will return it to a state of healing not seen before the events of the tribulation took place. All of this is from the workings of the Lord…

^{39 (con’t)}Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

v’en miyadi matsil – “And no from My hand deliver.” In verse 36, the hand, or power, of Israel was demonstrably gone. But here in verse 39, the power of the Lord, His hand, is said to be without limit. There is none who can deliver from it. What He determines to hold will be held and what He determines to destroy will be destroyed. His hand is effectual in power to begin and to complete.

Again, the words are picked up later in Isaiah 45 –

“Indeed before the day was, I am He;
And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand;
I work, and who will reverse it?” Isaiah 45:13

In this verse, the first clause is parallel to the second and third clauses, while the second is parallel to the fifth (a/b/a/a/b) –

(a) See now! For I, I HE!
(b) And no God with Me.
(a) I, I terminate, and I life-sustain.
(a) I have shattered, and I heal
(b) And no from My hand deliver

Who is God like Me, near or far?
Who can deliver from My hand?
Can you open what I do not leave ajar?
Can you thwart that which I have planned?

There is no other God! No not one!
And there is none other at all like Me
None can even attempt what I have done
To even think it so demonstrates great stupidity

I am God who has established you for Me
And I am God whom you have rejected
You spurned My coming and nailed Me to a tree
In this, your flawed streak is detected

Turn, O Israel, turn unto Me
I am your God who came down from that tree

II. Rejoice You,Nations, His PZeople! (verses 40-43)

Verses 40-42 will next call out the judgment of the nations for failing to recognize what God has done, which is manifestly evident through His treatment (establishment, care for, spurning of, punishment upon, sparing, and defense) of Israel.

⁴⁰For I raise My hand to heaven,

ki esa el shamayim yadi – “For I lift up unto heavens My hand.” The thought is that of making a proclamation and an oath. It is seen, for example, in Revelation 10 –

“The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven ⁶and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, ⁷but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:5-7

^{40 (con’t)}And say, “As I live forever,

v’amarti khai anokhi l’olam – “And I say, ‘Live I to eternity.’” The word olam signifies that which is concealed, the vanishing point. It can mean forever, or something less. But in the case of the proclamation here, because of the One who makes it, it signifies to eternity itself.

The words then mean, “What I am about to say is as inviolate as is My very being. It stands, and will stand, untouched and pure.”

This is an a/b pattern where the first clause prepares the way for the second –

(a) For I lift up unto heavens My hand.
(b) And I say, ‘Live I to eternity.’

⁴¹If I whet My glittering sword,

im shanoti beraq kharbi – “If I whet brilliance My sword.” The scene now is personal as Yehovah is likened to a Warrior. The “if” makes the statement conditional, and yet assured. It will happen and the result will not be thwarted…

^{41 (con’t)}And My hand takes hold on judgment,

v’tokhez b’mishpat yadi – “And grasps in judgment My hand.” It is referring to the sword of brilliance that has been whetted. With the whetting, and the grasping of it in judgment, there will be an inevitable and unstoppable result…

^{41 (con’t)}I will render vengeance to My enemies,

ashiv naqam l’tsaray – “I will return vengeance to My adversaries.” The word tsar comes from a word signifying “narrow.” Hence, it speaks of those who are crowded in against. God is God. Any who crowd in on Him are adversaries to Him.

To come against that which is His, such as Israel, is to come against Him. In such an instance, by crowding in on the Lord, or on what is His, He will return vengeance. The prospects for those who do so are not good. Not good, indeed. And more…

^{41 (con’t)}And repay those who hate Me.

v’limsanay ashalem – “And to those hating Me I repay.” The idea is that to those who hate Yehovah, there is a debt to be paid before there can be a state of completion. Without that, the debt remains. This is speaking in a metaphoric sense, but even so, if a debt is outstanding, the Lord will repay in vengeance concerning what is owed. It is a woeful thought, indeed.

Here, the first and second clauses are parallel, as are the third and fourth. But the latter two reverse the internal structure –

(a) If I whet brilliance My sword.
(a) And grasps in judgment My hand.
(b) *I return vengeance to -My adversaries.
(b) And to -those hating Me *I repay.

⁴²I will make My arrows drunk with blood,

askir hitsay mi’dam – “I make drunk My arrows from blood.” Here Yehovah is an Archer set to shoot against the foe. When He does, it is as if the arrows are thirsty, and so the Lord fills them. But He does so to the point that they are utterly intoxicated from the banquet. And then, the sword is again unsheathed…

^{42 (con’t)}And My sword shall devour flesh,

v’kharbi tokal basar – “And My sword devours flesh.” In Hebrew, the edge of a sword is considered its mouth. As such, it is a devourer, tearing into flesh and consuming the life it takes. This is the terrifying imagery that is considered here. That imagery then extends on…

^{42 (con’t)}With the blood of the slain and the captives,

mi’dam khalal v’shivyah – “From blood slain and captives.” The idea is that of the arrows standing in the bodies of the slain, draining them of blood, and the sword not sparing the captives as it turns from side to side. It is a battle that sees the utter ruin of the enemy and all with him. And this extends on again…

^{42 (con’t)}From the heads of the leaders of the enemy.”’

It is singular: merosh parot oyev – “From head freemen enemy.” It is difficult to be sure of the meaning of these words. There is a new and rare word, pera, which is the same as pera – hair, or locks. It is found only here and in Judges 5:2, and it is uncertain what it means.

However, Robert Young seems to have accurately defined it as “freemen.” Just as hair is free and becomes unkempt, so are these freed men. They would then be set in contrast to the captives of the previous clause. Instead of being bound, they are unkept and free.

The words seem to be a standard a/a/b/b pattern –

(a) I make drunk My arrows from blood.
(a) And My sword devours flesh.
(b) From blood slain and captives.
(b) From head freemen enemy.

It is easy to see in these verses the climactic return of Christ and His execution of judgment upon the armies gathered against Israel which is recorded in Revelation 19. With that now fully expressed, we come to the final verse of the song.

It is a finishing call to the world who knows Yehovah that He has kept His covenant promises to this nation of disobedience by providing them the atonement they do not, in fact, deserve. With that in mind…

⁴³“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people;

harninu goyim amo – “Rejoice you, nations, His people!” The word “with” is not included in the Hebrew, and thus it probably is better rendered “nations” than “Gentiles.” The reason this is important is that Paul cites this in Romans 15, ascribing it to the Gentiles rejoicing with the Jews. That will be seen in our closing verse.

As such, I would argue that this is referring to both Jews and Gentiles through the use of the word goy, or nation. In other words, Israel is one nation among the nations. In saying, “Rejoice you, nations, His people,” it includes all nations, inclusive of Israel. This would then correspond to Revelation 21:24 which is clearly inclusive of both –

“And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” Revelation 21:24

^{43 (con’t)}For He will avenge the blood of His servants,

ki dam abadav yiqom – “For blood His servants He will avenge.” This refers to the repayment of the ill-treatment of God’s people during the tribulation period. It is spoken of as a call to God in Revelation 6:10. It is then stated as an accomplishment in Revelation 18:20. And it is then referred to again in Revelation 19:2. Next, it says…

^{43 (con’t)}And render vengeance to His adversaries;

v’naqam yashiv l’tsara – “And vengeance He returns to His adversaries.” It is again a clear presentation of what is more fully expressed in Revelation as well as throughout the writings of the prophets.

Those who come against the people of God will receive their just due, which will come in due time. All things must find their place in the unfolding events, and they will be accomplished without one being missed.

*^43 (fin)He will provide atonement for His land and His people.”

v’kiper admato amo – “And He has atoned His earth, His people.” Rather than erets, or land, the word adamah, or earth, is used. Both are often used interchangeably, and both are variously translated. But adamah gives the sense of the ground, coming from the same word as adam, the man who was taken from the ground.

That then extends to the entire earth – all of which required atonement for the worldwide shedding of blood, especially in the tribulation period. One must understand the reference to understand what is being conveyed. As such, the words “His people” extend to all who are saved out of the tribulation, either through death or through entering the millennium.

It is a complete atonement for what occurred. Only when this is accomplished will Israel be able to take its rightful position as the head of the nations. At that time, the promises prophesied both about and to them will find their fulfillment. It will happen, and it cannot be otherwise. The Lord has spoken, and what He has said in His word will come to pass.

This final verse repeats the a/b/b/a pattern used earlier in the song. This one has a contrasting parallel in the middle two verses –

(a) Rejoice you, -nations, *His people!
(b) For blood +His servants He will avenge.
(b) And vengeance He returns to -His adversaries.
(a) And He has atoned -His earth, *His people.

As this song now comes to its ending, it is a good time to note that the Song of Moses is referred to in Revelation 15. There it says –

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints! Revelation 15:3

In this chapter of Revelation, John noted those “who have victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name.” He also noted that they had harps of God. Of them, he next said, “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God.”

The term “servant of God” is fittingly applied to Moses, having been called the Lord’s servant several times in the Old Testament (see Exodus 14:31, Numbers 12:7, and Psalm 105:26). He is referred to in this manner in Hebrews 3:5 as well.

Of this, Ruckman says, “Here is another verse that proves that no Christian goes through the Tribulation. The people in verse 2 [sic] sing ‘the song of Moses’ (the Mosaic Law) and ‘the song of the Lamb’ (Jesus Christ dying for sinners – John 1:29). That’s works and faith … No Christian has any business singing ‘the Song of Moses’ at all.”

While it is true that pre-tribulation Christian believers will not go through the tribulation (in part or in whole), the logic Ruckman uses is faulty. Citing the Song of Moses is not a works-based statement. Rather, it is a note of fulfilled prophecy.

There are two songs of Moses recorded in the Old Testament. The first is in Exodus 15 when the children of Israel were led out of bondage and through the Red Sea to safety. The great world power that had hold over Israel was crushed and defeated by the Lord.

The second is recorded in Deuteronomy 32. It details the history of the people of Israel from the time they enter the Promised Land through to the end of the ages. Which Song of Moses is being referred to? Actually, both fit the mold of what is said. However, it is surely the latter song that is first and foremost being considered.

The people in the Revelation verse are “those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name.” In the final verse of the song recorded in Deuteronomy 32, we just finished with these words –

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people;
For He will avenge the blood of His servants,
And render vengeance to His adversaries;
He will provide atonement for His land and His people.”

To ensure we don’t make the error Ruckman made, Paul even cites this verse in Romans 15:10 when speaking of believers in the church age. Moses prophesied of a time when the Gentiles would rejoice along with the people of Israel. That time came when Christ fulfilled and annulled the Mosaic Covenant, set it aside, and established the New Covenant in His blood.

Further, the words of Deuteronomy 32 refer to avenging “the blood of His servants.” This is exactly what is being pictured in the Revelation martyrs standing on the glassy sea. Thus, both Jews and Gentiles can sing the Song of Moses (Rejoice, O Gentiles with His people), “and the song of the Lamb” (You are worthy to take the scroll…) as is recorded in Revelation 5:9, 10.

Though the two songs of Moses are different songs, the words of Moses in both songs ultimately refer to the work of God in Christ. Thus, songs such as are found in Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32, and Revelation 5 all build upon the same theme – the greatness of the Lord God.

As for Israel in relation to the words of this song, none of what replacement theology teaches concerning the nation makes any sense when it is taken in the proper light of what Moses pens. And when this song is taken in its proper light, everything occurring in the world, or that will come to pass in it, correctly aligns with what the Lord is doing.

Nothing could be clearer from what has been said here. But what has been said here only builds upon everything else Moses has been saying since the start of Deuteronomy. He is not speaking to the church, and the Gentiles are only included in what is going on; they are not the main focus of it.

Jesus Christ is the main focus, and it is His coming to His own people, Israel, to be received by them that is anticipated. When that didn’t happen on His first advent, the narrative neither stopped nor was it in error. That was simply an anticipated part of the whole.

God has remained, and He continues to remain, faithful to His part of the covenant, even when Israel has consistently failed at theirs. Let us pray that before the terrifying times foreshadowed in these verses come to pass, many – both Jews and Gentiles – will turn and call out for His saving hand. May it be so to the glory of God who has determined all things to be.

Closing Verse: Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, ⁹and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
“For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
And sing to Your name.”
¹⁰And again he says:
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”
¹¹And again:
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!”
¹²And again, Isaiah says:
“There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope.” Romans 15:8-12

Next Week: Deuteronomy 32:44-52 Moses you will die outside of the promise, sadly… (Because You Did Not Hallow Me) (98^th Deuteronomy Sermon)

The Song of Moses, Part V

‘Is this not laid up in store with Me
Sealed up among My treasures?
———-So it is and so it shall be

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense
Their foot shall slip in due time
For the day of their calamity is at hand
And the things to come hasten upon them for their crime

“For the LORD will judge His people
And have compassion on His servants. Yes compassion from Me
When He sees that their power is gone
There is no one remaining, neither bond nor free

He will say: ‘Where are their gods whom they have bought
The rock in which they refuge sought?

Who ate the fat of their sacrifices
And drank the wine of their drink offering?
Let them rise and help you
And be your refuge; let them do this thing

‘Now see that I, even I, am He
And there is no God besides Me – this you shall understand
I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal
Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand

For I raise My hand to heaven, changing never
And say, “As I live forever

If I whet My glittering sword
And My hand takes hold on judgment, just and plainly
I will render vengeance to My enemies
And repay those who hate Me

I will make My arrows drunk with blood
And My sword shall devour flesh, for all to see
With the blood of the slain and the captives
From the heads of the leaders of the enemy

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people
For He will avenge the blood of His servants, His wayward sheeple
And render vengeance to His adversaries
He will provide atonement for His land and His people

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

Hallelujah and Amen…

³⁴‘Is this not laid up in store with Me,
Sealed up among My treasures?
³⁵Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.’

³⁶“For the Lord will judge His people
And have compassion on His servants,
When He sees that their power is gone,
And there is no one remaining, bond or free.
³⁷He will say: ‘Where are their gods,
The rock in which they sought refuge?
³⁸Who ate the fat of their sacrifices,
And drank the wine of their drink offering?
Let them rise and help you,
And be your refuge.

³⁹‘Now see that I, even I, am He,
And there is no God besides Me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
⁴⁰For I raise My hand to heaven,
And say, “As I live forever,
⁴¹If I whet My glittering sword,
And My hand takes hold on judgment,
I will render vengeance to My enemies,
And repay those who hate Me.
⁴²I will make My arrows drunk with blood,
And My sword shall devour flesh,
With the blood of the slain and the captives,
From the heads of the leaders of the enemy.” ’

⁴³“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people;
For He will avenge the blood of His servants,
And render vengeance to His adversaries;
He will provide atonement for His land and His people.”

Deuteronomy 32:23-33

Deuteronomy 32:23-33
The Song of Moses, Part IV

In some of our verses today, Moses, speaking as the Lord, says that He would have utterly eradicated Israel if it were not for the sake of the enemies misunderstanding what had taken place, and why. As such, the Lord would have to put up with the boasting of the enemies as it would be an indication to them that He is not what the Bible portrays Him to be.

Obviously, the Lord has already proclaimed that regardless of their actions, Israel would be kept as a people. But the Song of Moses highlights the keeping of Israel for this particular reason as well.

When considering this, one cannot help but think of the words of Sennacherib, King of Assyria, as called out by the Rabshakeh to the people of Jerusalem…

Text Verse: “Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim and Hena and Ivah? Indeed, have they delivered Samaria from my hand? ³⁵Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” 2 Kings 18:34, 35

In response to this degrading talk, Hezekiah went before the Lord with the words of Sennacherib and prayed to him. His concluding words were, “Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone” (2 Kings 19:19).

Should Sennacherib have prevailed and utterly destroyed Israel, the words of the Lord as conveyed by Moses would have been exactly what would have come to pass. As this is so, is this thought any less true today? Absolutely not. Despite what replacement theologians say, the keeping of Israel is intimately connected with the honor of the Lord.

And that truth is no more poignantly highlighted than in the supposedly sacred, but actually Satanic, book known as the Hadith. From a website about Islam Q&A, we read –

“It is narrated in the hadith that the Prophet [meaning Mohamed] … said: ‘The Hour will not begin until you fight the Jews, until a Jew will hide behind a rock or a tree, and the rock or tree will say: “O Muslim, O slave of Allah, here is a Jew behind me; come and kill him.’”

There are three possibilities with this: 1) Either the Bible is true, and the Hadith is false, or 2) The Bible is false, and the Hadith is true, or 3) both are false. A fourth option is not possible, that of both being true.

As such, Israel will be kept as a people forever, and the Lord has demonstrated that He is God, or Israel will someday be eradicated and Moses is wrong, logically following that then would be that the Lord is not God.

There is a whole lot tied up in the preservation of Israel if one understands the words of the books of Moses. It truly is unfortunate that replacement theology has arisen in the world. Those who hold to it actually place the integrity of the Bible on the same par as Israel’s enemies, even if they don’t intentionally do so. The result is the same.

Let us be sound in our thinking and not get caught up in strange teachings that do not accurately reflect what God is doing in redemptive history

Great things are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. Amassed Evils (verses 23-25)

Since verse 19, the poem has highlighted the results of Israel’s abandonment of the Lord. In response to that, Moses has highlighted the Lord’s rejection of them. Since verse 20, Moses has been writing in the first person as if his words are those of Yehovah.

That continues now, referring to His rejection of them, His turning from them, and His judgment upon them. However, verse 21 alluded to His plan to lure Israel back to Himself through His active turning to another group of people.

While that has been occurring, the devastations upon Israel continue today. They are words of terrifying disaster that accurately, but most mournfully, reflect the state of the people of Israel since their rejection of Him at the time of their visitation by Christ Jesus. With that understood, the words of Yehovah continue…

²³‘I will heap disasters on them;

aspe alemo raoth – “I will amass upon them evils.” One can imagine sheets of paper, each with a different evil written upon it, being torn off the stack and tossed onto the land. With the coming of each sheet, another disaster arrives. Soon, the land and the people are completely destroyed, and nothing is left but the sheets of doom lying in heaps, testifying against the people.

They have done evil before the Lord in defiance of His word, and so He sends forth His word to testify against them. As it comes, so come the evils He had promised. They are piercing and they are deadly…

^{23 (con’t)}I will spend My arrows on them.

hitsay akaleh bam – “My arrows I will expend in them.” Whereas the Lord amasses evils upon the people, as if they are coming down from above, it now says He expends all of His arrows in them – as if He is standing amongst them and shooting at one after another directly until all His arrows are gone.

The arrow, in this case, signifies a plague of some sort. The word is being used metaphorically, as can be seen from Ezekiel 5 –

“When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread.” Ezekiel 5:16

Even Job, a man outside of the covenant people, understood this symbolism –

“For the arrows of the Almighty are within me;
My spirit drinks in their poison;
The terrors of God are arrayed against me.” Job 6:4

An interesting internal a/b/c-c/a/b structure is provided with this verse –

(a) I will amass (b) upon them (c) evils
(c) My arrows (a) I will expend (b) in them

These evils and arrows are defined by the words of the coming verses…

²⁴They shall be wasted with hunger,

The entire verse is direct, and it calls for the mental insertion of prepositions and verbs that Moses simply leaves out. That begins with this first clause: maze ra’av– “Emaciated, hunger.” The adjective mazeh is found only here. It comes from an unused root signifying “to suck out.”

Thus, one can think of people that are simply skin and bones, as if a straw was inserted into them and their body fat and muscle were sucked out. The only thing left of them is a state of agonizing hunger. It is a perfectly suited description of the condition of the people when the Nazi death camps were liberated.

So starved were the people that when soldiers showed them a kindness by offering them a candy bar or some other food from their kits, some of the people’s bodies went into shock, and they died. An act of tender kindness turned into an unintended sentence of death. Next, the horror of the arrows progresses…

^{24 (con’t)}Devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction;

u-lehume resheph v’qetev meriri – “And consumed fever and depletion bitter.” Two new nouns are spoken forth. The first is resheph. It comes from saraph, meaning “to burn.” Thus, it is that which burns, like a hot coal. In this case, I would think it is referring to an intense fever resulting from the emaciation.

The second is qetev. This comes from an unused root meaning to cut off. Thus, it is a state of ruin. To maintain it as a noun, I have said “depletion.”

Again, one can think of the horrors of the concentration camps and other such times of immense deprivation that have come upon the people as history has recorded. The people claimed to be Jews, they claimed to be united to the Lord, and yet, they have all but ignored Him.

The wounds, though stated as active events coming from the Lord, are actually self-inflicted wounds. They are the inevitable consequences of their failure to respond favorably to Him. But again, the Lord next states that these are a direct punishment from His hand…

^{24 (con’t)}I will also send against them the teeth of beasts,

Making the words more pronounced, the word is singular, “tooth.” It is a way of uniting all teeth of every formidable beast into one giant weapon: v’shen behemoth ashalakh bam – “And fang beasts I will send in them.”

The tooth (fang) becomes a symbol for the chaos it wreaks. One can think of tearing flesh, blood, bits of bone and hair, all being openly displayed among the people. It is a horrifying thought of appalling devastation. And that terrifying weapon has a companion in its destructive purposes…

^{24 (con’t)}With the poison of serpents of the dust.

im khamath zokhale aphar – “With a burning, reptiles dust.” The word translated as “a burning” is given to signify the state that occurs when bitten. Thus, venom or infection is to be understood. The next word, zakhal, is new. It comes from a verb meaning to shrink back or crawl away as if being shy or afraid.

As other words are translated as snake and serpent, I chose reptile because other reptiles also have bites that cause a burning of the body through venom or infection. The translation of the NKJV is less literal, but it is more understandable.

I am guessing on the structure of this verse, but the use of the connecting conjunctions is notable –

(a) Emaciated, hunger.
(a) And consumed fever and depletion bitter.
(b) And fang beasts I will send in them.
(b) With a burning, reptiles dust.

The terrors come from all directions. They come from above and from within. They come in many forms, and they come with a variety of horrors. But more is yet ahead, and they will be indiscriminate in who they come against…

²⁵The sword shall destroy outside;

mikhuts tesakel kherev – “From out shall bereave sword.” In other words, the terror from outside is the sword that will leave a person childless – be it in war, enemy attack, looters, or whatever. There will be danger on the outside that will leave the parent childless. And more…

^{25 (con’t)}There shall be terror within

It is a plural noun followed by another noun: u-mekhadarim emah – “And from inner chambers, dread.” This is set in contrast to the previous clause. Outside is one place where there is bereavement. However, any place inside, as indicated by the plural, is a place of dread. This is comparable to the curses of Deuteronomy 28 –

“And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the Lord will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul. ⁶⁶Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. ⁶⁷In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see.” Deuteronomy 28:65-67

And these terrors will be…

^{25 (con’t)}For the young man and virgin,

gam bakhur gam betulah – “Also young man; also virgin.” It speaks of those who are young with their entire lives ahead of them. They may be innocent to the things of the world, but the world is there to devour them.

While they think that a long and full life lies ahead, the termination of their days is at hand. It is like considering the tragedy of a man ready to be married, but who is then called up for the draft. Before the happiness can be realized, only sadness and loss are experienced. Further…

^{25 (con’t)}The nursing child with the man of gray hairs.

Because this is a verb and two nouns, it was hard to give the same structure in the English: yoneq im ish sevah – “Suckling with man advancement.” The word sevah signifies being gray and thus old. The word “advancement” is the only noun I thought accurately matches what is said here while still conveying the intent.

This is then set against the young man and the virgin. Those who are much less developed, and those who are much more developed – even from the very beginning of life to the very ending of it – are not exempt from what is promised to come upon the people.

(a) From out shall bereave sword. (location/result)
(a) And from inner chambers, dread. (location/result)
(b) Also young man; also virgin. (comparison)
(b) Suckling with man advancement. (comparison)

It is rather amazing to see the variety of poetic structures Moses uses in his words. They go from one to another, often completely unique from those around it. And yet, they flow together harmoniously. Because of the tragedy, the words convey, the majesty of how they are penned is easy to overlook.

With these terrors duly noted, especially with them noted along with the calling of the Gentiles while they are ongoing, the tenor of the words next takes on a new direction…

Bitter destruction and days of pain are our lot
As multiplying terrors are found on every side
Surely it is as if a terrible plot
Is waged against us until all have died

From without there is evil to slay any and all
From within there is terror at what lies ahead
Around all the people has descended a dark pall
The enemy attacks wanting everyone dead

From where will come comfort and an end to this plight?
When will the Lord relent and end this disaster
Only horror and terror come to our sight
Save us O Lord, our God, and our Sovereign Master!

II. Our Hand is Exalted (Verses 26 & 27)

²⁶I would have said, “I will dash them in pieces,

The word “would” is not correct. The first verb is perfect and the second is known as cohortative. In other words, the first verb is as if the action is accomplished while the second expresses an intention to perform: amarti aphehem – “I have said: ‘I will blow them away.’”

Here we find another word found only this once in Scripture, paah. It comes from a primitive root meaning “to puff.” As such it is then an onomatopoeia meaning “to blow away.”

One gets the sense of the Lord breathing in deeply and then rapidly exhaling – “Paaaaaah!” It was the intention of Him to do just that, and in His anger at this disobedient nation, He exclaims that this is exactly what He will do. In this frame of mind, the dialogue marches on…

^{26 (con’t)}I will make the memory of them to cease from among men,”

Again, the first verb is cohortative. The Lord intends to do this thing: ashbitah me-enovosh zikram – “I will cause to cease from mankind memory them.” This complements what was just said. The Lord says purposefully that He will blow the people away.

It will be such a great and pronounced exhaling that they will simply be eradicated. There will be of them not even a memory of a memory left among humanity. The structure of this verse is a simple a/a parallel –

I have said:
(a) ‘I will blow them away.’
(a) I will cause to cease from mankind memory them.

Despite the adamant proclamation that the Lord would eliminate Israel, there is a caveat that will spare them…

²⁷Had I not feared the wrath of the enemy,

lule kaas oyev agur – “If not provocation enemy I would abide.” The words here are difficult and are widely rendered by scholars, even if most translations are similar. The word kaas is the same as in verse 32:19 last week. It signifies to provoke.

Also, the word gur is used. It signifies to sojourn, reside, live as an alien, and so on. But at times it is rendered as “fear.” Hence, most translations take this route. It is mentally easy to justify for the sake of the reader.

But that does not seem to be the intent, even if it is the result. If the Lord were to blow away the people, He would have to live in the provocation of Israel’s enemies for as long as man remained on earth. Thus, there would be, in the mind of the enemy, the thought that the Lord was incapable of controlling His own people.

Therefore, the idea would be that in His frustration at them, He decided to just entirely eliminate them. If this was the case, then what kind of a God would He be? This translation is then fully supported by the next words…

^{27 (con’t)}Lest their adversaries should misunderstand,

The word “misunderstand” is just the opposite of what is stated, even if it may be implied: pen y’nakeru tsaremo – “Lest should discern their adversaries.” The meaning is clear. The adversaries see that Israel is destroyed. It is a fact that they have recognized.

But this brings in all of the complications that could possibly come forth from such an event. The Lord established them. He gave His word through and to them. He brought the Messiah through them, but He also promised to keep them as a people and never break His covenant with them. On and on the thoughts would go.

The entire fabric of the redemptive process, up to and including the coming of Jesus and His promised return to Israel, would be suddenly and inextricably unwoven.

Just think of nations like Hitler’s Germany or Iran. They have been or they are completely set on the destruction of Israel. It is their greatest desire and their deepest hope. With the destruction of Israel would come a defiling of the name of the Lord, and an exaltation of the name of their supposed god.

The Lord would have to live in their provocations. At this point in the Song of Moses, everything is centered on the fact that Israel must continue, even though they have been as faithless as Hosea’s wife.

As these words are recorded concerning a time that occurs at the same time as the calling of the Gentiles, it is an absolute testimony to the fact that Israel was, is, and shall remain. Otherwise, the enemies of God would have an unearned right…

^{27 (con’t)}Lest they should say, “Our hand is high;

pen yomeru yadenu ramah – “Lest they will say: ‘Our hand is exalted!’” The terrors described above included the sword, implying enemies who wield the sword.

The Lord may use pestilence, famine, or other means, but to completely eliminate a group of people that is scattered around the world – in part or in whole – would require the sword to fully accomplish the task. If Hitler had prevailed, one can see him rejoicing and taking credit for what he was able to do.

Likewise, if this came about today, it is absolutely certain that adherents to Islam would take credit for the victory, and for the rest of time they would proclaim that their false god was actually the victorious and true god. The Lord could not, and indeed He cannot, allow that to occur.

In the world, there would be a complete misperception concerning what actually transpired…

^{27 (con’t)}And it is not the Lord who has done all this.”’

v’lo Yehovah paal kal zot – “And no Yehovah who accomplished all this.” The obvious meaning is, “It is we who have destroyed Israel and Yehovah neither had anything to do with it, nor was He able to stop it. We have prevailed, we are exalted, and Yehovah is not God.”

The Lord would have to abide in this. Any other options would be completely contradictory to His nature. In other words, and by default, the very act of Him blowing Israel away so that they were eliminated from mankind is also completely contrary to His nature. Israel, despite what they deserve, must stand.

The words of this verse are set in an a/b pattern –

(a) If not provocation enemy I would abide. (provoking)
(b) Lest should discern their adversaries. (discernment, but in the sense of not discerning)
(a) Lest they will say: ‘Our hand is exalted! (provoking)
(b) And no Yehovah who accomplished all this. (not discerning)

Who is great like our God? Who is he?
Who does such great wonders and mighty things?
Is there another so great? Can there be?
No! To our God alone all of creation sings

He has redeemed His people for His own
And He has kept them despite their constant falling away
Through this people His fame has grown
Great is His name, and greater day by day

Who could restrain Himself as has the Lord?
From destroying those who so callously turn away
But because of His faithfulness to His word
He has kept this people as His own, to this very day

III. Their Rock Had Sold Them (Verses 28-33)

With the last section complete, a new idea is put forth by Moses. It is in verses 28-33 that the evident nature of Israel’s unworthiness to be spared is detailed. As such, it highlights that they are, in fact, spared.

²⁸“For they are a nation void of counsel,

I disagree. The nation is a nation filled with counsel, of the highest sort and from the most impeccable Source. It is not that they are void of counsel. Rather: ki go obad esot hemah – “For nation devoid prudence they.”

The word go, or nation, is usually used when referring to Gentiles. However, they are here likened to any other nation. In fact, they are actually much duller than any other nation. That is seen in the word Moses introduces here.

It is the word etsah, coming from a verb signifying advice. As such it speaks of counsel, prudence, purpose, and so on. It is not at all that Israel lacked counsel. They had the law, they had the prophets, they had the Redeemer Himself. And then came the apostles after Him.

They had miracles, signs, and wonders performed among them. And yet, they had as much sense as that of a tree root, and maybe less. If God Himself appeared among them… wait a minute, He did. And even then, they could not perceive it. They failed to recognize the time of their visitation. And to this day, they remain blinded…

^{28 (con’t)}Nor is there any understanding in them.

v’en bahem tevunah – “And no in them understanding.” This is a parallel thought to the previous clause. Just as there is no prudence in their thinking, they are also devoid of understanding. Both words of this verse now are used in a single verse in Proverbs –

There is no wisdom or understanding [tevunah]
Or counsel [etsah] against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30

In this, “counsel” is fine because that speaks in relation to the Lord about a thought or action against Him. However, here in Deuteronomy it is speaking of the state of Israel having counsel but not applying it because they lack the prudence or discernment to do so. One can see this in the parallelism –

(a) For nation devoid prudence they.
(a) And no in them understanding.

But this is not the Lord’s fault. He has done everything to make it otherwise, even giving them the prophetic word to warn them…

²⁹Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this,

The first verb is perfect, the second is imperfect: lu hakemu yaskilu zot – “If they were wise, they would understand this!” In other words, they have their history, they have the prophecies, they have the promises, and they have the WORD OF GOD to guide them.

It is all recorded there, both the past and the future. What has happened isn’t because they didn’t have sufficient information, but because they have been unwilling to simply check out the facts.

A perfect example of their inability to discern is seen in regard to the coronavirus issue. All of the information one needs to know concerning what is going on is out there. But Israel was the first to jump into the proverbial pot, implementing mandates of all sorts, and they have continued to seethe in the boiling water as the spices have been added.

They do not have the reason to grasp what is so painfully obvious. How much more ridiculous are they in regard to the weightier matters set before them…

^{29 (con’t)}That they would consider their latter end!

An important preposition, to, is overlooked: yavinu l’akharitam – “They would consider to their latter end!” The words are parallel to the previous clause and can be understood when combined with the opening thought – “[If they were wise], they would consider to their latter end.”

This is speaking of the nation. It is true that blessings are promised to them in the Messianic age, but that is clearly indicated as being preceded by a time of great wrath and destruction upon them. This is evident from the words of Moses, the prophets, and Jesus Himself.

If they considered the time “to their latter end,” they would know that things will only get worse before they finally get better. But like sappy churches that fill the world, the focus is always, always, always on the blessing, the good, the prosperity, and the favor.

And yet, this is only a portion of what God says belongs to Israel, and what belongs to the church. The sadness of not considering what the word says to the people to whom it is directed – and indeed to the whole world – will fully, finally, and tragically be realized someday.

If they were wise:
(a) They would understand this!
(a) They would consider to their latter end!

As for Israel, the question is asked…

³⁰How could one chase a thousand,

ekah yirdoph ekhad eleph – “How could chase one a thousand?” It is the opposite, and multiplied, of what was promised to Israel as a blessing in Leviticus 26 –

“Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight;
your enemies shall fall by the sword before you.” Leviticus 26:8

Here, Moses indicates that the opposite is in store for Israel in the future. Asking it as a question implies that there is a fixed answer that is as obvious as the nose on one’s face. But before he explains how it could be, he provides a parallel example…

^{30 (con’t)}And two put ten thousand to flight,

u-sh’nayim yanisu revavah – “And two cause to flee a multitude?” It is another and greater multiplication. Where one will chase a thousand, a foe of only two will cause an entire multitude to flee. The word revavah simply means a vast multitude whether definite or indefinite. But how could this happen…

^{30 (con’t)}Unless their Rock had sold them,

It is not conditional. It is a perfect verb preceded by a positive conjunction: ki tsuram mekaram – “For their Rock had sold them.” The Lord gave them sure and great promises that He would be with them in battle and that they would defeat their enemies.

But in a state of being sold, the impossible would come to pass. It speaks of an amazing defeat of the people because they turned from their Rock, and then, He sold them…

^{30 (con’t)}And the Lord had surrendered them?

v’Yehovah hisgiram – “And Yehovah delivered them.” Yehovah is clearly stated in parallel to the Rock of the previous clause. The word here literally means to shut up or to close. But it figuratively means “to deliver.” When one is shut up, he can be delivered over. This is seen, for example, in Amos where the same word is used –

“The Lord God has sworn by Himself,
The Lord God of hosts says:
‘I abhor the pride of Jacob,
And hate his palaces;
Therefore I will deliver up the city
And all that is in it.’” Amos 6:8

The amazing words show how far the people have gone from the Lord that the Lord would sell off and surrender the people.

(a) How could chase one a thousand?
(a) And two cause to flee a multitude?
(b) For their Rock had sold them.
(b) And Yehovah delivered them.

³¹For their rock is not like our Rock,

ki lo ketsurenu tsuram – “For no like our Rock their rock.” Moses, speaking of the Lord, makes a comparison between the gods of the enemies and Yehovah. They are not at all like Him. This is stated throughout Scripture, such as –

“Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, ¹⁹and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone.” Isaiah 37:18, 19

The contrast is absolute. Yehovah is God and all other “gods” are simply the work of men’s hands or the imagination of their minds. With that stated, Moses next says…

^{31 (con’t)}Even our enemies themselves being judges.

v’oyevenu pelilim – “And our enemies, judges.” Many translations insert words here hoping for clarity. Others paraphrase what is said in an attempt to explain what is being said. But none that I found really explain what the meaning of the words must be.

It is apparent that the clauses are parallel. In looking at it as such, the meaning may come forth. I have set forth two variations either of which can be grammatically correct –

For no:
(a) like our Rock (b) their rock
(b) And our enemies, (a) judges

(a) For no like our Rock (b) their rock
(b) And our enemies, (a) judges

What appears to be the case here, and it is tough to be dogmatic, is that it is one of two options based on how the word “judges” is set in parallel to the Lord – either in a positive or a contrasting parallel.

If contrasting, it is saying that the Lord is the Rock and their gods are no rock. Likewise, their enemies are not judges. It is the Lord who made the decision, and both sold and surrendered them. The enemies actually had nothing to do with what occurred. I would prefer this.

However, it could be a positive parallel. If so, then He is the true Judge, and they are judges only because the Lord has allowed it. Said differently, Israel was sold by Yehovah to the enemy who then judged them. This makes less sense to me. Either way, the verses are set in parallel, and one of these two meanings seems to be the case.

³²For their vine is of the vine of Sodom

ki mi’gephen sedom gaphnam – “For from vine Sodom their vine.” It is debated who this is referring to, Israel or the Gentiles just mentioned. The answer must be Israel. Israel is compared to a vine again and again throughout Scripture, such as –

“Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality.
How then have you turned before Me
Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?” Jeremiah 2:21

Also, it is only they who are morally compared with Sodom and Gomorrah in the rest Old Testament –

“Hear the word of the Lord,
You rulers of Sodom;
Give ear to the law of our God,
You people of Gomorrah:” Isaiah 1:10

This then is given to explain the reason why the Lord sold them and surrendered them. That then leads to…

^{32 (con’t)}And of the fields of Gomorrah;

u-mishadmoth amorah – “And from fields Gomorrah.” It is another new word, shedemah, coming from sadeh, or “field.” It is a field that is cultivated and should produce. However, what is produced by the vine and the field is next noted…

^{32 (con’t)}Their grapes are grapes of gall,

anavemo ineve rosh – “Their grapes, grapes of poison.” Their produce of the vineyard is of no value at all, and in reality, it is harmful. The grapes here speak of the people’s actions, the fruit of their conduct. Putting up with them is like drinking wormwood.

^{32 (con’t)}Their clusters are bitter.

ashkelot merorot lamo – “Clusters bitter to them.” This is the conduct of the people. It is a society filled with repulsive wickedness and perversion, as if they are carrying around entire clusters of inedible grapes. It is all they produce because their vine and their fields can produce nothing else.

(a1) For from vine Sodom their vine.
(a2) And from fields Gomorrah.
(b1) Their grapes, grapes of poison.
(b2) Clusters bitter to them.

Moses is explaining to the people their very nature in the future and the reason why all the evils will come upon them. As such, they deserve the same punishment that Sodom and Gomorrah received. But more of their character is brought forth next…

³³Their wine is the poison of serpents,

khamath tannim yenam – “Burning of serpents their wine.” This means that their wine is that made of serpent’s poison, which causes burning. The type of serpent, tannin, can only be guessed at. The word is used when speaking of things in the sea in Genesis 1:21, and it is what Moses’ rod turned into in Exodus 7:9. It was obviously poisonous because Moses ran from it.

Regardless of that, as wine is representative of a cultural expression in Scripture, it means that their entire culture is one that is just like the poison of serpents. It permeates everything about them as a people, flowing through them. Moses then further describes what the culture of Israel is like…

*^33 (fin)And the cruel venom of cobras.

v’rosh pethanim akzar – “And poison vipers cruel.” Here is a new word, pethen. It is a venomous snake either in the cobra or viper family.

Due to the variety of vipers found in Israel, using “vipers” is a good possible translation, but there are also black desert cobras there as well. Regardless of the type of snake, the meaning is obvious. The “wine,” or cultural expression, of Israel is that of a highly venomous snake. Taken together, the clauses are set in a simple a/a parallel.

(a) Burning of serpents their wine.
(a) And poison vipers cruel.

The words of Moses are the words of Moses, and the Lord inspired them. Hence, one cannot say that what is said here is not reflective of the people without denying that these are the true words of God.

As a general statement concerning Israel, they must be considered a true, accurate, and current description of them as viewed from the Lord’s perspective. They have rejected their Messiah, they do not adhere to the word of the Lord, and they are filled with wickedness and self-righteousness.

And yet, despite their state before Him, He has kept them, and He will continue to keep them. The day is coming when they will again be His holy people. In the meantime, they have been handed over to Satan for what they rightly deserve.

But as I remind you each week, they are simply a snapshot of us. We are His people, and yet we fail Him constantly and in many ways. Despite that, just as His covenant with Israel stands, so His covenant with any who come to Him stands.

God, because of Jesus Christ, could no more reject one of His saved believers than He could reject His own Son. The covenant has been cut, the blood has been shed, and the commitment has been made.

Israel’s failings will not, nor can they ever, negate the faithfulness of the Lord to His side of the covenant. Likewise, our failings will not, nor could they, negate His faithfulness to the seal with which He has sealed us.

Because of this, how much more should we be willing to live for Him instead of following after the same failings that upset the Lord. If you are secretly caught up in adultery, you must consider your ways. If you are thieving from others, it is time to change what you are doing. If you treat your spouse with less than the greatest of respect, it is time for you to redirect your actions.

These are things that the Lord looks disfavorably on. And why should we be recorded in the annals of history as being just like those of Israel who have so greatly displeased the Lord? Let us do our utmost to live for God because of His great love with which He first loved us. May it be so, starting even today.

Closing Verse: “’I overthrew some of you,
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning;
Yet you have not returned to Me,’
Says the Lord.
¹²‘Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel;
Because I will do this to you,
Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!’” Amos 4:11, 12

Next Week: Deuteronomy 32:34-43 Amazing words, and that ain’t no jive… (The Song of Moses, Part V) (97^th Deuteronomy Sermon)

The Song of Moses, Part IV

‘I will heap disasters on them without haw or hem
I will spend My arrows on them

They shall be wasted with hunger
Devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction
I will also send against them the teeth of beasts
With the poison of serpents of the dust; a horrid concoction

The sword shall destroy outside
There shall be terror within, terrifying cares
For the young man and virgin
The nursing child with the man of gray hairs

I would have said, “I will dash them in pieces, right there and then
I will make the memory of them to cease from among men

Had I not feared the wrath of the enemy
Lest their adversaries should misunderstand
———-their thinking being amiss
Lest they should say, “Our hand is high
And it is not the LORD who has done all this

“For they are a nation void of counsel as if from jackals
———- they stem
Nor is there any understanding in them

Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, and wisdom
———-they would spend
That they would consider their latter end!

How could one chase a thousand
And two put ten thousand to flight
Unless their Rock had sold them
And the LORD had surrendered them in their plight?

For their rock is not like our Rock who needs no nudges
Even our enemies themselves being judges

For their vine is of the vine of Sodom
And of the fields of Gomorrah through and through
Their grapes are sour gall
Their clusters are bitter too

The poison of serpents is their wine
And on the cruel venom of cobras they dine

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

Hallelujah and Amen…

²³‘I will heap disasters on them;
I will spend My arrows on them.
²⁴They shall be wasted with hunger,
Devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction;
I will also send against them the teeth of beasts,
With the poison of serpents of the dust.
²⁵The sword shall destroy outside;
There shall be terror within
For the young man and virgin,
The nursing child with the man of gray hairs.
²⁶I would have said, “I will dash them in pieces,
I will make the memory of them to cease from among men,”
²⁷Had I not feared the wrath of the enemy,
Lest their adversaries should misunderstand,
Lest they should say, “Our hand is high;
And it is not the Lord who has done all this.” ’

²⁸“For they are a nation void of counsel,
Nor is there any understanding in them.
²⁹Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this,
That they would consider their latter end!
³⁰How could one chase a thousand,
And two put ten thousand to flight,
Unless their Rock had sold them,
And the Lord had surrendered them?
³¹For their rock is not like our Rock,
Even our enemies themselves being judges.
³²For their vine is of the vine of Sodom
And of the fields of Gomorrah;
Their grapes are grapes of gall,
Their clusters are bitter.
³³Their wine is the poison of serpents,
And the cruel venom of cobras.

Deuteronomy 32:15-22 (The Song of Moses, Part III)

Charlie Garrett Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy (written), Deuteronomy Sermons (written), Old Testament, Old Testament (written), Sermons, Torah, Torah (written), Writings Sunday, March 20th, 2022Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

Deuteronomy 32:15-22
The Song of Moses, Part III

My dad mentioned to me many years ago that when typing a book, the less references there are to a specific period, the more likely the book will be relevant at any time. If one refers to Ronald Reagan in the book, the material becomes dated. As such, it will only be relevant to those who are looking into that specific era or topic.

I’ve tried to remember that lesson and have attempted to make things I write more useful to any generation. However, there is also the truth that when writing things, there is often more of an appeal to the audience if a lesson from “right now” is included.

It is hard to get away from “right now,” because it is our reference point to gauge the past and compare it to our own circumstances. This can be especially relevant in a sermon where people need to wake up to what is happening around them.

It may be helpful to make a comparison of Israel as Moses describes him in today’s passage to some other point in time, like ancient Rome that also grew fat and complacent, but if that is all that is stated, it ignores the obvious connection to us today.

This sermon will refer to our circumstances in the US as we become the latest example in the history of the world to follow the same pattern since creation. Society is formed, society develops until man increases and has ease, man forsakes God and grows in wickedness, and man is judged, reaping what he has sown.

Text Verse: “Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant,
And Israel whom I have chosen.
²Thus says the Lord who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you:
‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant;
And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. Isaiah 44:1, 2

The Lord formed Jacob His servant, and He chose Jeshurun, meaning Israel. As such, there should have been a resulting appreciation for what the Lord had done, a clinging to Him, and an ever-increasing bond between them.

But that is not human nature. Instead, people, communities, nations, and indeed the entire world tend to move away from God as they prosper and develop. The more prosperous the city, the more liberal and wicked the people become.

This is why a nation, such as the United States, may have massive areas of conservative voters that are spread out across the nation, but the cities and populated states quickly turn left and take on a distasteful shade of blue. There is a joining together of those who are prosperous, and the result is discussions about new, inventive, and exciting ways of doing evil.

With the global prosperity that has arisen in the past century, the entire world is heading down the same path as the pre-flood world. Only when real calamity arises will people turn back to the Lord. Unfortunately, when real calamity arises, it is often too late.

When a nuke detonates over Rome, for example, there won’t be much time to think on how to get right with God. Only those on the outskirts of the blast zone will have time to maybe humble themselves and reach out to Him before the radiation consumes what is left of them too. And those further away may, if they are wise, see and turn.

But it all started with a life of ease. When things are going well, we forget our God and find other things to chase after. Let us be wise and pay heed to Him now, before things devolve, not after.

Such lessons as this are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. The Rock of His Salvation (verses 15-18)

We have been following the progression of the Song of Moses as it develops. There has been an introductory call. Moses then proclaimed the perfections of Yehovah. He then provided a contrast by noting the imperfections of Israel. Next, he spoke of the calling, establishment, and exalting of the nation. Verses 15-18 will tell of Israel’s abandonment of Yehovah because of prosperity and ease, leading to apostasy from Him and to false gods…

¹⁵“But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked;

As was the case previously, the verbs are imperfect, giving the sense of the events happening right before our eyes: va’yishman Yeshurun va’yivat – “And he grows fat, Yeshurun, and he kicks.” Jeshurun is a proper noun and is a play upon the name “Israel.” One can see the similarity when written in Hebrew:

Yisrael: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Yeshurun: יְשֻׁרוּן

It will be seen only four times – here, in 33:5 & 33:26, and in Isaiah 44:4. It is derived from the word yashar, which means straight, level, or upright. Some see it as a diminutive and thus a term of endearment, which is then something like “Child of the Upright,” or “Blameless Little People.”

Others say it is a descriptor: “Upright One.” But if you look at the other times it is used, it is given synonymously for the name Jacob. As such, it is a proper noun: “Upright” –

“Moses commanded a law for us,
A heritage of the congregation of Jacob.
⁵And He was King in Jeshurun,
When the leaders of the people were gathered,
All the tribes of Israel together.” Deuteronomy 33:4, 5

Of this name for Israel, Moses describes his state as “he grows fat.” It is a new verb, shamen, meaning to grow fat. It is always used in conjunction with Israel. The idea is that of having plenty and thus being at ease.

In such a state, there is a resulting lack of reliance on the Lord. In essence, “All is good and I have no needs. I can do as I want without a care.” The other three uses of the word show the process by which Israel departed from the Lord. The first to note is found in Isaiah, prior to any thought of exile –

“And He said, “Go, and tell this people:
‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
¹⁰“Make the heart of this people dull, [lit: make fat]
And their ears heavy,
And shut their eyes;
Lest they see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And return and be healed.’” Isaiah 6:9, 10

From there, Moses’ words are fulfilled in the people as described by Jeremiah –

“‘They have grown fat, they are sleek;
Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked;
They do not plead the cause,
The cause of the fatherless;
Yet they prosper,
And the right of the needy they do not defend.
²⁹Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord.
‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’” Jeremiah 5:28

And then, after the exile, Nehemiah recalls the state of the people –

“And they took strong cities and a rich land,
And possessed houses full of all goods,
Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves,
And fruit trees in abundance.
So they ate and were filled and grew fat,
And delighted themselves in Your great goodness.” Nehemiah 9:25

One can see how ease (growing fat) leads to a growing fat of the heart, meaning the understanding, and that then leads to a rejection of the Lord and a need for His corrective measures. If one can’t see that in our nation today, he is not looking very hard.

Moses says that in this state of growing fat, “and he kicks.” It is another new and rare verb, baat. It will only be seen one more time and the sense of the meaning is understood from it –

“Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?” 1 Samuel 2:29

The idea is “to despise.” In Jeshurun’s growing fat, their attitude towards the Lord and His goodness towards them is to despise Him. As before, it is exactly what is seen in our nation today. Next, Moses again uses the word signifying to grow fat along with another new word…

^{15 (con’t)}You grew fat, you grew thick,

It is correct: shamanta avita – “You grew fat! You grew thick!” The aspect of the verbs is now in the perfect. Note the change –

“And he grows fat, Yeshurun, and he kicks.”
“You grew fat! You grew thick!”

From the action of growing fat, the result is realized. Along with that, a new word, avah, or “to be thick,” is seen. One can see Upright, no longer upright. He is a blob that has grown out instead of up. So much so that…

^{15 (con’t)}You are obese!

kasita – “You are bulging!” The verb kasah is found only here. It comes from the cognate noun kasah, meaning to cover. A literal translation would be, “You are covered.” But the unstated meaning is being covered with fat. Yeshurun has gorged himself so much and so often that he is nothing but a roly-poly blob. As such…

^{15 (con’t)}Then he forsook God who made him,

va’yitosh eloha asahu – “And he deserts God who made him.” Explaining the verb natash will clarify the action. It comes from a root meaning to pound. As such, when something is pounded, it spreads out and the edges move farther and farther away.

What is evident is that as Israel grows, there is a resulting movement away from God. It just happens. It is the inevitable result of prosperity. The same has been the case in the US. We have grown fat, really fat.

We have “kicked” in our obesity, and the disdain we have shown for God has only grown as the prosperity has increased. This is so much the case that to even speak of Him in public is considered objectionable by the left. They literally hate Him and want Him erased from every public meeting place.

Israel was there before we were, but many of Israel are still here. The halls of our government are inclusive of Jews who literally hate the thought of God, but they are only a part of the left’s machine of this hatred. They are just more practiced at it after all of this time…

^{15 (con’t)}And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

vay’navel tsur yeshuato – “And he humiliates Rock his salvation.” The verb navel speaks of being foolish or stupid. As this is used causatively, the action is toward the Lord, and it is hard to come up with a suitable word to convey the intent, but I would liken what they do to how Christ was treated on the cross. He was mocked and humiliated. In this, the sense seems to come through appropriately. Verse 15 has a particular parallel structure to it –

(a) And he grows fat, Yeshurun, (b) and he kicks.
– (a) You grew fat! You grew thick!
– (a) You are bulging!
– (b) And he deserts God who made him.
– (b) And he humiliates Rock his salvation.

Israel looked around and saw that life was good. There is no need for anything and no care for life with the Lord, and so they looked down on Him instead of looking up to Him. Yeshurun humiliates the Rock of His salvation. On to the next verse…

¹⁶They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods;

yaqniuhu b’zarim– “They move Him to jealousy in strangers.” Notice how the words have gone to the plural. Israel forsook the Lord, and all of the people go astray in their own unique way. One after this, and one after that.

The words themselves are reminiscent of the man in Numbers 5 who is jealous of his wife who has strayed. There it says, “if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself” (Numbers 5:14).

The people go after strangers, meaning gods other than the Lord. In this, they move Him to jealousy. It is the US today, ten thousand false gods – wood, stone, digital, sexual, powerful influence, financial, religious… it goes on and on. There is time for anything and everything except for the Lord. As such, it is…

^{16 (con’t)}With abominations they provoked Him to anger.

b’toevot yakisuhu – “In abominations they are provoking Him to indignation.” The jealousy leads to the anger. Their false attitude towards Him is the grounds for His anger. This is perfectly seen in the record of Jeroboam, where the same verb is used –

“because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he had sinned and by which he had made Israel sin, because of his provocation with which he had provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger.” 1 Kings 15:30

Jeroboam had set up the golden calves in Bethel and in Dan for the people to worship, but even more offensively, he ascribed to them the people’s deliverance from Egypt –

“It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 1 Kings 12:28

But this is what the people had already done, even from the very moments after they had accepted the terms of the covenant –

“And Aaron said to them, ‘Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.’ ³So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. ⁴And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf.
Then they said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’” Exodus 32:2-4

But Aaron went further by then stating that what they had just made was, in fact, the Lord, saying, “A feast to Yehovah, tomorrow!” (CG). In these things, the people not only prostituted themselves to others, but they did so while claiming that what they were worshipping – something which is a part of what He created – is actually the self-existent Creator, Yehovah.

It is like watching the pope kiss the feet of a plastic model of baby Jesus or a wooden image of Jesus hanging on a cross and calling it a good thing, as if that is somehow connected to the Lord who actually came and walked among us and who was then crucified for our sins. There is no reasoning as to the true nature of their actions before the Lord. In this verse, we see reverse parallelism –

(a) They move Him to jealousy (b) in strangers
(b) In abominations (a) they are provoking Him to indignation

It is future, but it is assured. The charges against them are laid out, in advance. But more indictment against Israel is ahead…

¹⁷They sacrificed to demons, not to God,

yizbekhu la’shedim lo eloha – “They are sacrificing to the demons, not God.” It is a rare and difficult word, shed, found only here and in Psalm 106:37. Some say it is of foreign origin, like the Arabic word for Satan. As such, and being plural, it would be “to the Satans,” and thus demons.

It may also come from the Hebrew shud, signifying waste. This would still refer to demons, as something malignant. Moses was aware of them, in advance, and the Psalm bears out that Israel did exactly this, even with their own children –

“They even sacrificed their sons
And their daughters to demons,
³⁸And shed innocent blood,
The blood of their sons and daughters,
Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
And the land was polluted with blood.” Psalm 106:37, 38

The horror of their actions cries out from the pages of their own Scriptures, testifying against them both in advance and after the fact. This is what Paul later warned the church of –

“Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. ²¹You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. ²²Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?” 1 Corinthians 10:20-22

This is a practice often seen in Roman Catholicism where the false gods of the nations are actually incorporated into the church through what is known as syncretism – the merging of different religious expressions.

Just two years ago, a statue of Pachamama (Mother Earth) of Amazonian worship was incorporated into a Vatican display during prayer services. As praise and prayers are considered sacrifices to God, this is perfectly akin to what Israel was charged for. Their allegiances were directed…

^{17 (con’t)}To gods they did not know,

elohim lo yedaum – “‘Gods no they knew.” The Lord was God to them. He had removed them from a land of gods to be their only God, but they didn’t just go back to the old gods of Egypt. They actively went seeking after new gods to serve…

^{17 (con’t)}To new gods, new arrivals

It is a plural adjective: khadashim miqarov bau – “Newbies, from near they came.” The word qarov, or near, can mean in time or in vicinity. Due to the structure of the verse, it is probably referring to time. They are newbies…

^{17 (con’t)}That your fathers did not fear.

lo searum avotekem – “No have they dreaded, your fathers.” One gets the sense of appeasement with these words. The word sa’ar doesn’t mean to just fear, but to be terrified of. It comes from a root signifying “to storm.”

Thus, it speaks of being terribly afraid. We can imagine the false gods conjure up by people when telling stories. Eventually, like in a Hollywood movie, the people become terrified of them. In order to pacify them, sacrifices are made to them.

This is unlike their fathers who were close to the Lord. Their relationship was not of terror, but of awe that indicated a right fear of Him. Instead of trusting in and fearing the Lord (we’ll say, “Take a chance on Me!”), they feared the demons and sacrificed to them (to the Lord they said “So long!”). Hence the abba structure –

(a) They are sacrificing to the demons, not God.
(b) ‘Gods’ no they knew. (previously unknown)
(b) Newbies, from near they came. (previously unknown)
(a) No have they dreaded, your fathers.

Enough pop music for now! Of the false gods, they were mindful, but of the Lord from whom they issued, however…

¹⁸Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful,

The second verb is a jussive: tsur yeladekha teshi – “Rock brought forth you; may you forget!” It is also a word unique in Scripture, shayah. It comes from a root signifying to keep in memory; be unmindful. Being a jussive, however, it is as a command to forget.

Also, the words are all in the singular: You, Israel. Therefore, it is a play on words. There is the Rock, stable and unchanging, who brought Israel forth, and then there is Israel being practically commanded by Moses to forget Him because of their actions toward Him…

^{18 (con’t)}And have forgotten the God who fathered you.

va’tishkakh el mekholelekha – “And you have forgotten God in travail with you.” The idea conveyed is the process the Lord went through in order to establish Israel. It is as if He brought them forth as a woman in labor. All of His efforts were expended to do so, and yet Israel has forgotten Him. Moses uses the same term to describe the formation of the world itself –

“Before the mountains were brought forth,
while Thou wast yet in travail with earth and world,
and from eternity unto eternity Thou art God!” Psalm 90:2 (Ellicott)

Again, we see here reverse parallelism –

(a) Rock brought forth you; (b) may you forget!
(b) And you have forgotten (a) God in travail with you.

The Rock of our salvation is not like any other God
He is steadfast and mighty to save
To Him alone do the redeemed shout and applaud
A marvelous thing He did when His Son He gave

Let us refrain from provoking Him
By following after that which is less than bubbles
That will set us on a path, dark and grim
And set our feet on a way filled with troubles

In Him alone, let us find our rest
And to Him alone, let us direct all of our praise
He is worthy of it all, even our very best
And He is worthy of it all, even to eternal days

II. I Will Provoke Them to Jealousy (Verses 19-22)

With Israel’s abandonment of the Lord noted by Moses, he will now bring out Yehovah’s rejection of them, His turning from them, and His judgment upon them. However, in verse 21 it will allude to His plan to lure Israel back to Himself through His active turning to another group of people.

¹⁹“And when the Lord saw it, He spurned them,

va’yar Yehovah va’yinats – “And saw, Yehovah, and spurned.” The words are of Moses beholding the results of Israel’s actions. They are direct, comprehensive, and unambiguous. Israel’s doings are completely open and exposed before the Lord. In seeing what they have done in spurning Him, He in turn snubs them. We cannot help but see the ultimate spurning of Him in the Person of Jesus.

It’s not that they just rejected Him and nailed Him to the tree, but they continued to do so, even after the innumerable evidences that He had resurrected and that in His name healing came to the people through miracles being performed. And so, He spurned them…

^{19 (con’t)}Because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters.

mi’kaas banav u-benotav – “From provocation His sons and His daughters.” Here, the idea of the previous verse continues. The Lord brought them forth and He was in travail with them.

Taken with the previous verse, one can see an additional parallelism where the forgetting of the people leads to the spurning of them by the Lord and how the forgetting of their Father is equated to provocation of the children. It is an a/b/a/b pattern –

a) Rock brought forth you; may you forget!
b) And you have forgotten God in travail with you.
a) And saw, Yehovah, and spurned.
b) From provocation His sons and His daughters.

They are His sons and His daughters, but they are disobedient and unfaithful to their Father…

²⁰And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them,

va’yomer astirah panay me’hem – “And He said, I will hide My face from them.” This is the result of His spurning them. Moses speaks on behalf of the Lord: “I will hide my face from them.” This thought was first expressed in the previous chapter –

“And the Lord said to Moses: ‘Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. ¹⁷Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, “Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?” ¹⁸And I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.’” Deuteronomy 31:16-18

When the expression “I will hide my face from them” is used, one can get the sense of the Father not allowing his disobedient children to come into His presence. Cambridge stupidly says the words “And He said” are a gloss that overloads the rhythm. A gloss is added only to highlight the rhythm, not overload it.

The words are perfectly placed to draw out the thought of the Lord for us to consider. The people are cast off and left to their own devices as a form of discipline against them. The Lord is curious how they will fare…

^{20 (con’t)}I will see what their end will be,

ereh mah akharitam – “I will see what their end.” For sure, the Lord knows their end. It is an ironic way of saying it, just as a parent would say when a child threatens to run away – “Go ahead and go then! We’ll see how far you get.” The Lord knows that without Him, their end won’t be a happy one…

^{20 (con’t)}For they are a perverse generation,

ki dor tahpukoth – “For generation contrariness.” It is a new noun to Scripture, tahpukah, coming from haphak, meaning to turn or overturn. Hence, it refers to them as those who are contrary, always turning things around. This word will be seen nine more times, all in the Proverbs. A good example of it is –

“A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He purses his lips and brings about evil.” Proverbs 16:29, 30

Like the violent man whose facial expressions give away the things of his heart, so is Israel as they devise things that are perverse and mull over doing evil. They are…

^{20 (con’t)}Children in whom is no faith.

hemah banim lo emun bam – “They children no trustworthiness in them.” It is a new noun, not an adjective, emun. It is derived from aman, to confirm or support. Thus, it speaks of the state of being established or trustworthy. Israel is being equated to children that are asked to do the chores while dad is away, and when he comes home, he finds that nothing was done.

Instead, the house is sloppier than before, the animals all ran away because the gate was left open, and the day’s vegetables have bugs in them because they weren’t taken inside and washed. And instead of memorizing their daily Bible passage, they have torn out the pages and made paper airplanes.

One can see the a/a/b/b structure of the verse when it is set forth as a whole –

And said,

a) I will hide My face from them.
a) I will see what their end.
b) For generation contrariness.
b) They children no trustworthiness in them.

In their untrustworthiness, He says…

²¹They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God;

hem qinuni b’lo el – “They provoked me jealous in ‘no-god.’” Israel worshipped anything and everything that they could set before them. Not one of the things they set before them was God. The singular is used to describe all of the various things as one. Cumulatively, they are all a “no-god.” The Lord contrasts Himself to them, giving the reason for His jealousy. But there is more…

^{21 (con’t)}They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols.

kiasuni b’havlehem – “They have moved Me to indignation in their bubbles.” The word hevel signifies vapor or breath. To give the sense of something that can be seen but has no substance, I said bubbles. They look like something, but they are nothing – like your breath that you see on a cold morning, and then it is gone.

Because of worshipping something so ridiculously stupid, they have moved the Lord to a state of vexation. As this is so, a plan has been devised to bring them back to their senses…

^{21 (con’t)}But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation;

There is an emphasis in the words: va’ani aqniem b’lo am – “And I, I will provoke them to jealousy in no-people.” One can almost hear the Lord call out as He contrasts what He will do to what they have done. “They have done this, and I, I will do that.” He then contrasts their “no-god” to His “no-people.”

It is the call of the Gentiles. Israel’s gods were many and thus they are no-god. The Gentiles are many peoples and thus they are “no-people.” The contrasting thought continues with…

^{21 (con’t)}I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.

It is a brilliant statement forming a play on words between two clauses and an alliteration between two different clauses. The words go naval, or nation foolish, are set against havlehem, or bubbles, forming a play on words. The words naval and hevel are spelled with only one letter difference in the Hebrew.

The alliteration is seen in the words aqniem (provoke to jealousy) and akisem (move them to anger). Moses is speaking for the Lord in a unique and remarkable way. Great structure can be seen in the verse –

(a) They provoked me jealous (b) in ‘no-god.’
(a) They have moved Me to indignation (b) in their bubbles [הבל].

(a) And I, I will provoke them to jealousy [אַקְנִיאֵ֣ם] (b) in no-people.
(b) In nation foolish [נבל] (a) I will move them to indignation [אַכְעִיסֵֽם].

This verse is carefully used by Paul as he makes his case for the gospel of justification by faith alone through the calling of the Gentiles in Romans 10 –

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
¹⁶But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” ¹⁷So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
¹⁸But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
¹⁹But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:
“I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”
²⁰But Isaiah is very bold and says:
“I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
²¹But to Israel he says:
“All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.” Romans 10:14-21

Israel failed to find Christ and the Lord turned to the Gentiles to provoke them. But His anger was also to be brought to bear against them…

²²For a fire is kindled in My anger,

ki esh qadekhah b’api – “For fire kindled in My nostril.” Here is a new word qadakh. It signifies to kindle. The Lord spoke through Jeremiah of this using the same word –

“And you, even yourself,
Shall let go of your heritage which I gave you;
And I will cause you to serve your enemies
In the land which you do not know;
For you have kindled a fire in My anger which shall burn forever.” Jeremiah 17:4

The idea of the burning nostril is that of fire shooting forth from it. His anger and hot displeasure burn forth as such…

^{22 (con’t)}And shall burn to the lowest hell;

va’tiqad ad sheol takhtith – “And shall burn even to Sheol lowest.” The word sheol can signify various things: the pit, the underworld, the grave, and so on.

The word “hell” is an archaic word used to refer to Hades, the underworld. Today, hell takes on the thought of the place of eternal damnation. This is not the intent. The fire will burn to the lowest places, even the realm of the dead. One can think of Jesus’ parable about Lazarus and the rich man. Nowhere will be safe from the burning anger of the Lord. As such…

^{22 (con’t)}It shall consume the earth with her increase,

va’tokal erets vibulah – “And consume land and her increase.” This is specifically referring to the land of Israel at this time. The judgment being referred to is solely upon Israel. As far as the connection to the corresponding clause, it says in Genesis 3:19 –

“In the sweat of your face [literally: nostril] you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19

Man tends to the ground as the sweat rolls down his nostril to bring forth the increase of the earth. The fire of the Lord’s nostril shoots down upon the earth and consumes all that Israel has worked for. Nothing will be left; everything in the land will be devoured…

*^22 (fin)And set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

va’telahet mosde harim – “And enflame foundations mountains.” Moses uses another new word, lahet. It is derived from a root meaning to lick. Thus, by implication, it means to enflame as tongues of flames lick up everything.

This is a poetic way of speaking of the strongest fortifications, even those set directly into the base of mountains, being utterly consumed by the fire the Lord kindles. There would be flames and burning until nothing was left.

(a) For fire kindled in My nostril.
(b) And shall burn even to Sheol lowest.
(a) And consume land and her increase.
(b) And enflame foundations mountains.

The marvelously structured and worded verses are given to excite the imagination and provide an anchor for remembering the content. But the contents are based on an actual meaning. They were given by Moses as a warning of what lay ahead for Israel.

Unfortunately, they failed to pay heed, and the terrors that were prophesied came to pass. Their failure continues to this day, and greater terrors lie ahead in the contents of the poem. But more, what lies ahead also includes the world at large.

Thus, the poem, along with the rest of Scripture, is given as a testament and a warning to the world. But the big question is, “Does anyone think the world will pay heed when even the church doesn’t?”

The large majority of the church is asleep at the wheel. Entire denominations are being led astray by truly wicked people. The holiness and sanctity of the word is disregarded. It is relegated to a bunch of myths outside of a few verses that somehow demonstrate that all will be well, and that God accepts what we do, no matter how depraved and vile it is.

This is not the case. Israel failed to pay heed, and even after the millennia of judgments upon them, they still have their heads buried deeply in the sand. The church has – for all intents and purposes – followed suit. And thus, the world has no reason to assume that the contents of Scripture hold any merit at all.

In this state, things will not – indeed they cannot – go well. But you, fellow Christian, I would ask you to take stock of what you have heard, apply it to your life, and not be led astray by those who say, “All is well; the Lord does not see or care.”

They are deluded, and in this, the wrath of God shall come upon the entire world. This is the warning of Scripture, but it is preceded with a mark of grace. God was willing to spend His wrath towards us in His own beloved Son.

The pains and wrath that Christ faced were sufficient to stay the wrath of God that we deserve, because the righteousness He bears is sufficient to remove from us the sin we bear. In Him, and in Him alone, the exchange can be made.

Israel has yet to figure this out, but the people of God – those who understand the significance of the cross – have seen and understood. If you are like disobedient Israel, today is the day for you to wake up from your slumber and reach out to the God who loves you enough to do what He did… just for you. Don’t waste a moment but call out to Him for life and length of days, even to eternity in His presence.

Closing Verse:^“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
²⁷For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.’” Romans 11:25-27

Next Week: Deuteronomy 32:23-34 The majesty of the words will go on some more… (The Song of Moses, Part IV) (96^th Deuteronomy Sermon)

The Song of Moses, Part III

“But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked
You grew fat, you grew thick. You are obese!
———-you disobedient nation
Then he forsook God who made him
And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation

With foreign gods they provoked Him to jealousy
With abominations they provoked Him to anger exceedingly

They sacrificed to demons, not to God
To gods they did not know, they drew them near
To new gods, new arrivals
That your fathers did not fear

Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, sad but true
And have forgotten the God who fathered you

“And when the LORD saw it, He spurned them
———-this disobedient nation
Because of His sons’ and His daughters’ provocation

And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them
I will see what their end will be
For they are a perverse generation
Children in whom is no faith towards Me

They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God
They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols
———-that cannot soothe
But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation
By a foolish nation, I will them to anger move

For a fire is kindled in My anger
And shall burn to the lowest hell, below the deepest fountains
It shall consume the earth with her increase
And set on fire the foundations of the mountains

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

Hallelujah and Amen…

¹⁵“But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked;
You grew fat, you grew thick,
You are obese!
Then he forsook God who made him,
And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
¹⁶They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods;
With abominations they provoked Him to anger.
¹⁷They sacrificed to demons, not to God,
To gods they did not know,
To new gods, new arrivals
That your fathers did not fear.
¹⁸Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful,
And have forgotten the God who fathered you.

¹⁹“And when the Lord saw it, He spurned them,
Because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters.
²⁰And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them,
I will see what their end will be,
For they are a perverse generation,
Children in whom is no faith.
²¹They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God;
They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols.
But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation;
I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.
²²For a fire is kindled in My anger,
And shall burn to the lowest hell;
It shall consume the earth with her increase,
And set on fire the foundations of the mountains.