Today we begin Deuteronomy Chapter 32.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click here.
For the King James version, click here.
“Hear, oh heavens, as I speak!
Listen, earth, to the words from my mouth!
May my teaching fall like rain.
May my speech condense like dew,
like light rain on blades of grass,
or showers on growing plants.”
-Deuteronomy 32:1-2
When studying the Song of Moses, there are a couple of interesting features about this powerful poem that stand out.
FIRST, nowhere anywhere will you find the covenants of Mount Sinai or Abraham mentioned.
SECOND, there is zero legal jargon present that is normally characteristic of the peace treaties created between a vassal state and a king ruling over his empire.
Many scholars have suggested that the Song of Moses is patterned after such legal treaties.
They are wrong.
In academic circles, this idea is known as the “Suzerain Treaty Theory”.
The very fact that there is no mention of any of the common terms and jargon normally contained in a peace treaty should be the deathblow of the Suzerain Treaty theory forever.
So what exactly should we liken the Song of Moses to?
The answer is simple when you consider that Israel is the Lord’s firstborn son.
Remember, a “firstborn son” is exactly how the nation of Israel is referred to in Scripture.
בְּכוֹר bəḵōr in Hebrew.
“Thus saith the LORD,
Israel is my son,
even my firstborn.”
-Exodus 4:22
So the tone of this poem more reflects the dealings of a loving but stern father with a rebellious son.
HASHEM created Israel and has elevated them above any other nation on the planet.
And because Israel is His most precious firstborn son whom He so loves dearly, it is the Lord’s duty to protect His child.
However, the other side of that coin is that God’s firstborn son Israel has a moral obligation to respond to their Father in Heaven with obedience, gratitude and loyalty.
Onward.
Notice verse 1 says..
“…Hear, oh heavens, as I speak!”
The Lord says that the heavens and the earth are to stand as witnesses to the facts when Israel is accused of rebellion.
Keep in mind here that the word “heavens” is NOT referring to God’s spiritual dwelling place.
It is not referring to heaven.
In this context, the word “heavens” is only referring to the created objects in the sky, nothing less and nothing more.
The Lord is calling on the heavens and the earth to listen to His case against Israel.
It will not be their job to carry out punishment against Israel.
That will be the Lord’s job.
Later on, the prophets will utilize this exact same imagery of the heavens and the earth who are standing as trustworthy and immoveable witnesses to Israel’s unfaithfulness to God in later times.
This poem brings to memory all of those times my papa sat me down and tried to talk some good sense into me after I did some really stupid stuff in my life (like trying to flying off to Los Angeles from Tokyo with an expired passport to become an actor without telling anyone).
Even though my father’s words were harsh, looking back I can see that the motivation behind his words were love and caring and just really wanting the best for me.
And that is exactly the tone and atmosphere of how the Lord is addressing His firstborn son Israel here.
He is letting them know that He really wants to bless them and that His only purpose for them is good.
In this powerful poem, the Lord is telling Israel that He is offering Israel His wisdom and love.
They can either welcome it with open arms like how moist soil takes in a nourishing rainfall OR…
…they can be stony and stubborn soil and let God’s wisdom and love just just roll off them.
Ultimately, the Song of Moses is poem of hope that Israel will listen to God’s Chosen Mediator Moses before they fall into trouble because of their rebellion.
God is pleading with Israel to listen and remember everything He has done for them lest they pay for the consequences of their rebellion that the Lord’s justice requires…
…yet at the same time because of His mercy and love, there is a part of the Lord that does NOT wish to bring harsh judgement upon them.
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