Deuteronomy
chapter 32 contains the “Song
of Moses“.
As stated in the previous chapter, this song was given because
Israel “will
become utterly corrupt and turn away from the way“.
It is amazing how we can remember words when they are put to music.
This song of prophecy is written to a future lost generation that has
fallen away from God. It offers hope to the hopeless and life to the
spiritually dead.
The
song begins, “Listen
O heavens… hear O earth… let my teachings fall like rain… like
abundant rain on tender plants“.
Salvation through Christ is proclaimed in heaven and earth and is
for all to hear. Notice, the gospel does not destroy tender young
plants; it is a gentle rain. The gospel of grace is refreshing and
provides sustenance to those that have tried to “get right with
God” on their own. “He
is the Rock, His works are perfect, all His ways are just. A
faithful God.”
Six times in the song God is referred to as “the rock”. Verse
15 plainly prophesizes, “He
(the
nation of Jacob)
abandoned God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior“.
And verse 18 reads, “You
rejected the Rock who fathered you and forgot the God who gave you
birth“.
The chapter describes the effect of rejecting Salvation. “I
will hide My face from them, and see what their fate will be: a
perverse generation… unfaithful… They made Me jealous… I will
heap calamity upon them… there is no discernment in them… their
foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes
upon them… The Lord will judge His people and have compassion on
His servants… He will say, ‘Now where are their false gods?’…
I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me.”
There is a clear choice here to honor God, or reject the Salvation
of the Messiah.
The
chapter ends with God instructing Moses that he may climb “Mount
Nebo in Moab across from Jericho and view Canaan, the land I am
giving the Israelites“.
Moses is reminded of his rebellion in misrepresenting the symbolism
of Jesus Christ by striking the rock a second time instead of
speaking to the Rock as God commanded (Exodus 17). It is bittersweet
for Moses to see the land but not to cross over into it. God is
merciful, yet He does not compromise His righteousness. Sadly many
today are almost ready to embrace God, but do not take the step of
faith necessary.
In
Matthew chapter 16 after Jesus asked the apostle Peter, “Who
do you say that I am?”
Peter, responded, “You
are the Christ“.
Jesus explains that this is the foundation of the New covenant,
“Upon
this rock, I will build My church“.
1 Peter 2:4 calls Jesus, “The
living stone rejected by men but chosen by God“;
and then verse 8 calls Him, “A
stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall“.
Peter concludes since “He
Himself bore our sins on His body”
then, “By
His wounds we have been healed“.
Will you accept Jesus as Savior by faith, or will you stumble over
your desire to earn salvation by your own efforts? The Rock has
already been struck once; all we need to do is call on Him for our
salvation.