29:1-29
- God has done great things for His people – ‘in the land of Egypt… in
the wilderness’ (2,5). Acknowledging Him to be the Lord their God, they
were to live in obedience to Him (6,9). The way of obedience is the way
of blessing. Moses warns the people that they must not depart from the
way of blessing. Moses warns the people that they must not depart from
the way of obedience (16-28). Turning away from the Lord leads to
judgment – ‘anger and fury and great wrath’ (24-28). There are ‘secret
things’. There are ‘things that are revealed’. Some ‘things’ we will
never understand. These ‘things belong to the Lord our God’. There are
many ‘things’ we have learned and have firmly believed. ‘The things that
are revealed’ are found in ‘the Holy Scriptures’. Through God’s written
Word, we are brought to ‘salvation’ and we are ‘thoroughly equipped’
for Christian living (29; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).
30:1-31:13
- For Israel, a real turning to the Lord with ‘all the heart and soul’
involved obedience to ‘His commandments… written in this book of the
law’ (30:10). We are not left wondering what God wants us to do – ‘…the
Word is very near you…’(11-14). Through His Word, God ‘sets before’ us a
choice. He calls us to ‘choose life’ (15-20). Joshua was to succeed
Moses (31:1-2,7-8). Conflict lay ahead. God’s people needed His Word of
encouragement: ‘Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in
dread of them’. Beyond the conflict, there would be triumph. God gave
His Word of promise: ‘It is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will
not fail you or forsake you’ (31:6). Turning from the people to Joshua,
Moses spoke the same words (31:7-8). Hear; Learn to fear the Lord; Be
careful to obey His Word (31:12-13).
31:14-32:18
- ‘Write this song, and teach it to the people of Israel’ (19,22).
Moses did not delay his obedience to God. ‘Write… Teach…’: God is
speaking to us about the renewal of our worship. Don’t say, ‘It’s never
been done that way before’ – ‘the seven last words of the church’!
Moses’ song was ‘a witness for God against the people of Israel’ (19).
It can still help us, in this generation, to confess our sin – We ‘have
dealt corruptly with Him’ (5) – and glorify our God – ‘I will proclaim
the Name of the Lord’ (3). Modern music can help us to hear afresh the
ancient message: ‘Ascribe greatness to our God…’ (3-4; Mission Praise, 40). Let us praise God ‘in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs’ (Ephesians 5:18-20).
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