Deuteronomy chapter 32

vs 41

The message I get from this is that God plans his vengance, lets us know of his vengance, and is very patient and waits for the perfect time for his vengance. Punishment for rebellion is not instant. He gives every chance for repentance.

vs 42

But when it comes, it comes, and in an incredibly violent and destructive way. God will not hesitate for any other reason but that he wants to give full opportunity for repentance, and he wants his wrath to grow fully ripe so that it is entirely just. And that's when this bloody, violent massacre takes place. God's wrath is awful.

vs 43

Yes, this verse is linked to the last two. God calls on his people to rejoice in the just vengance he takes on their enemies. Because Israel's enemies are God's enemies. (Or they were.) In a sense, every time someone goes to hell we should rejoice - because it means that our God is just. We should also mourn, because they are forever lost, and did not take God at his merciful and gracious word. But without justice, God wouldn't be perfect, and we would not be able to rely on him.

vs 44

That's the end of the song - 43 verses. I challenge someone to come up with a tune to it that modern people could use to remember it. It's not exactly your average Hillsong tune.

But Moses and Joshua set about teaching it to everyone.

vs 45

Is this once, or for the 10th time?

vs 46

Is he talking about the song only, or all his words? I think all his words, but he waited until after he had taught them the song, so that they would treat it with the same solemnity.

vs 47

How much clearer can he make it? Without this message from God, without his laws and without his covenant, they will be lost. Their lives will be forfeit.

vs 48

Uh oh. Not a happy message, this one.

vs 49

There's a lookout there now, apparently - so you can go and see the view of Israel that Moses got - as close as he ever got.

vs 50

I guess it's more warning than most of us get. But it is the final nail in Moses' coffin, so to speak - he now knows with certainty that this is the end of the line for him. There is no last minute redemption on his horizon. No doubt that, in one sense, he is possibly glad that he can rest his tired bones. He's an old, old man now.

vs 51

At least God gives a good reason. According to God, by not sticking to what he said and by doing their own thing, Moses and Aaron broke faith with him, and did not uphold his holiness. So that's the thing - although when you look at the incident you might say, "Shout at rock, it it with staff, who cares?" the fact is that it broke faith with God and did not uphold his holiness. When you word it like that, suddenly it sounds serious.

vs 52

He at least gets to see the land, but goes no further.