Getting Ready To Go

Joshua 1:10-18

“Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.” (Joshua 1:10-11)

For almost two months Israel had camped in the plains of Moab, near Mount Nebo, while Moses gave them final instructions as to what they were to do.  They had spent thirty days mourning his death and adjusting to the idea that Joshua was the new leader.  Now Joshua directs them to prepare lunches and pack up because they will cross the Jordan river in three days time, starting their occupation and possession of the land of Canaan.

“And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.  Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them; Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.” (Joshua 1:12-15)

He also reviewed the agreement with the trans-Jordanian tribes, assuring them that the agreement would be honored, and reminding them of their commitment to help the others obtain their land.  Leaders who fail to acknowledge and honor or enforce commitments by previous administrations destroy trust and sabotage their own efforts to lead.

“And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.  According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.  Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.” (Joshua 1:16-18) 

The Trans-Jordanian tribes were more than willing to keep their commitment, pledging loyalty to him like they had had to Moses, as long as they were sure God was with him like he had been with Moses.  It was up to Joshua to demonstrate his relationship to God by his leadership.

Far too often leaders exert their authority in an attempt to intimidate potential opposition, rather than engaging them as potential allies and earning their trust and respect.  It always results in opposition and conflict.  It is what has produced political gridlock for the last several years in the United States.

Claiming the Promised Land

God’s Instructions To Joshua
Joshua 1:1-9

“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” (Joshua 1:1-2) 

Until Moses’ death we have no record of God speaking to Joshua personally, although Deuteronomy 34:9 says, “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.”  Until that time, Moses had been the conduit God used to speak to Israel.  Now God commanded Joshua to finish the job Moses had started, to take the land God had promised them almost seven hundred years before.

“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Joshua 1:3-5) 

God promised Joshua that they would be able to take every piece of land they might traverse, because He would be with Joshua in the same way he had been with Moses, and no one would be able to stand before his power.

The area described here is much larger than what was described to Moses in Numbers 34, which only described the area they would take initially.  It is the same as was described to Abraham in Genesis 15, however, Reaching from El Arish on the Mediterranean shore to Lebanon on the north and east to the Euphrates river and the desert to the south east along the Persian Gulf..  It would encompass much of present day Syria and Jordan, part of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and part of Egypt.  Under Solomon at his peak, Israel came the closest to owning what God had promised them.  When we consider what God had promised Israel, it is not hard to understand the Arab concerns over Israel’s claims to the land based on God’s promises.

“Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:6-7) 

The key to Israel’s victory would be their faith.  They were to be bold both in  their adherence to God’s law, as given Moses.  Surrounded by peoples with different standards they would be tempted to relinquish theirs for those of their neighbors.  They were not to deviate either to a more liberal or a more strict standard, but to follow it exactly.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:8-9)

In order to follow Gods law exactly, without becoming either more strict or more liberal, it would be necessary to constantly review and discuss it.  They would need to take time to think about the Law every day, constantly looking for areas they might be missing if they were to keep everything it said.   Taking the time to do so would ensure victory, success and prosperity in all their endeavors, because it was what God had commanded.  There would be no reason to doubt or hesitate since they could be sure God was with them.

In II Timothy, Paul describes the spiritual preparation needed to serve God.  It is very similar to his instructions to Joshua.  II Timothy 3:14-17 commands. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” In order to please God it is critical that we do the things he has taught us, exactly as he directed.

The scriptures teach everything that is needed in order to please God, but we will need to know what they say, and that can only be learned by studying.  II Timothy 2:15 commands, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Failure to study thoroughly will result in improper interpretation and application of the scripture, and in displeasing God.

Israel’s God

Deuteronomy 33:26-29

“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.  Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.” (Deuteronomy 33:26-28) 

There is no other God or even anything which is even similar.   Isaiah 46:9 declares, “… for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,”.  While there are many that are called gods, I Corinthians 8:4 states, “…we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”  Isaiah 45:18 says, “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.”

This God who created the world is the God of Israel(Jeshurun).  He is the God who protects them from their enemies and supports them like a father carrying his child.  He provides so they don’t have to worry about anything.

“Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.” (Deuteronomy 33:29)

Think how blessed Israel was.  God was protecting them and fighting for them so they had no reason to fear their enemies.  He had promised to overthrow them and give Israel even their most readily defended high ground.


Moses’ Death
Deuteronomy 34:1-12

“And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.” (Deuteronomy 34:1-3)

Obeying God’s command, Moses went to the top of Mount Nebo, to the peak of Pisgah which gave a grand overview of the land.  From there he was able to look back over the land they had already conquered on the east of Jordan.  Facing westward he could see the Mediterranean, as far south as the Negev and north almost to the border of Syria.

“And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.” (Deuteronomy 34:4)

Over six hundred fifty years before, in Genesis 15, God had promised the land to Abraham.  A hundred years later he made the same promise to Jacob in Genesis 28.  Moses has led them to the very edge of the land, and even helped them conquer part of it, but he will not be allowed to finish the job.  He can look to see what God has and rejoice that they are going to obtain it, but his sin in taking the glory for himself will prevent his getting to finish the job.

“So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.  And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 

And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” (Deuteronomy 34:5-7)

At a hundred and twenty, Moses was still strong and healthy, able to do whatever he needed to.  Even his eyesight was as good as ever.  It is a tremendous testimony to the benefits of obedience to God that he had preserved his health in such a manner.  As God had said, Moses died there, and God buried him in one of the valleys so no one would ever know where he was buried, ensuring that they could not go to his tomb to worship as other groups do their great leaders.

In Luke 4:8, “…Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”  God is the only one mankind are to worship.  John was forbidden to worship even angelic beings in Revelation 19:10.  “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God…”

"And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:8-9) 

For almost forty one years, from early in his eightieth year until well into his one hundred twentieth year, Moses had led Israel.  He had become a fixture in their lives.  Thirty days were spent mourning and remembering the things he had done and where he had led them.  Joshua did not try to hasten the process, but allowed them to grieve fully.  Knowing Moses had appointed him and seeing he had the same spiritual wisdom and power, the people found it easy to accept him as leader during that thirty days.

“And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.” (Deuteronomy 34:10-12)

The wording here clearly indicates that this passage and perhaps the entire book was compiled long after Moses’ death, from the records others had kept of Moses’ final instructions.

Until Christ came, there had never been a prophet like Moses, yet Deuteronomy 18:15-18 prophesied, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.  And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”  Peter referred to this passage in Acts 3.

Moses Commanded To View The Land

Deuteronomy 32:48-52

“And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.  Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:48-52)

The same day Moses finished reviewing the law and taught Israel his song, God directed him to go up on Mount Nebo, also known as Mount Abarim, located just across the Jordan from Jericho.  From the top of the mountain, Moses was to view the land God had promised, then die there.  Forty years before, frustrated by Israel’s complaining, on their second visit to Kadesh, Moses had taken the credit for what God would do.  Aaron had already died, and now Moses would be killed before Israel entered Canaan so no one could credit Moses with having given the victory.  The credit all belongs to God.


Blessing Israel
Deuteronomy 33:1-25

“And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.  And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.  Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. 

Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.  And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.” (Deuteronomy 33:1-5) 

Just before their death, it was customary for a father to pronounce a blessing on his children.  The blessing was sort of a prophecy as to what would happen to them, based on their attitudes and past actions.  As the father figure of Israel, effectively their king, Moses pronounces a blessing on each of the tribes, just as the patriarchs had on their sons.

“Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.” (Deuteronomy 3:6)

More than five hundred years before, Jacob’s son Reuben had been caught between Rachel and Leah’s jealousy and become afraid to take a stand.  That same desire to please everybody had been learned by his descendants, and characterized their tribe.  It would prevent them from ever being real leaders in Israel, despite having plenty of people.   They were one of the tribes tribes which claimed the land east of the Jordan..

“And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies. ” (Deuteronomy 3:6)

Judah refused to be caught between Rachel and Leah, simply going his own way, regardless what the others thought,  As Moses blessing points out, the tribe of Judah would not be dependent on the others, depending on the Lord to help them.  Centuries later they would form a separate nation.

“And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.  They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.  Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again. ” (Deuteronomy 3:7-11)

The tribe of Levi had a very strong commitment to their ideals, even to the point of ignoring their own family relationships to enforce them.  God had placed them in the position of teaching the rest of the people God’s laws.  The Urim and Thummim were symbolic of their authority from God.  There was concern that they stay true to God in their commitment, rather than going after other Gods.

“And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 3:12)

As a Jacob’s youngest and favored son, Benjamin had been protected from a lot of the strife between Rachel and Leah.  Like Judah they were inclined to not worry what the other tribes thought, and would side with Judah when the tribes split.

“And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.  His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.” (Deuteronomy 3:13-17)

Despite their having sold him as a slave, Joseph had been concerned for his family’s welfare, attaining power and prestige while still staying focused on God.   That attitude was learned by his sons, and the tribes descended from him would be blessed accordingly.

“And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.” (Deuteronomy 3:18-19) 

Zebulon would be known for their shipping and fishing skills while Issachar would mine the minerals of the sands and mountains.

“And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad; he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.  And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.” (Deuteronomy 3:20-21)

As another of the Trans Jordan tribes, Gad would be especially exposed to foreign attackers, although it was the land they had chosen, even before they crossed Jordan.

“And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.” (Deuteronomy 3:22) 

Like a lion’s cub pouncing, Dan would frequently act unexpectedly.

“And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.” (Deuteronomy 3:23) 

Naphtali would tend to be contented with what they had, not always wanting more.  They were to inherit the south western area.

“And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.  Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” (Deuteronomy 3:24-25) 

Asher was to have many children and a good relationship with all the other tribes, blessed with plenty, as demonstrated by his dipping his foot in olive oil, as compared to just rubbing some on.  They would grow stronger as time passed and not be defeated by small obstacles.

Moses’ Song

Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47

“And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.  He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deuteronomy 31:30-32:4)

The goal of the song is to make people aware of the greatness of God.  Even at best, the song will only hint at the majesty and glory of God.

“They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.  Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?” (Deuteronomy 32:5-6)

Contrary to the prideful belief of Israel they are not a pure and holy people in themselves.  Their sins are not the sins of a people trying to serve God, but those of people who don’t even know him.  They are like a child who is rebelling against his parents, forgetting that they have provided for him and cared for him from the first day of his life.

“Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.  When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.  For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.  He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.  He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape. “ (Deuteronomy 32:7-14)

Israel needs to remember what God has done for them.  It may be necessary to even go ask the older people what he has done, or to look back into their history, even recognizing he established this land for them from the time of Adam.  He took a single person and made an entire nation of his descendants, caring for him like an eagle bringing food to her eaglets, and carrying them on her back to help them learn to fly.

“But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.  They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.  They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.  Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.” (Deuteronomy 32:15-18)

The picture Moses paints is of a spoiled little child kicking away the food their mother has prepared and screaming “I hate you” when she tries to feed them.  Having never been hungry, they have no appreciation of the effort required to get the food or what it would be like to go without.

“And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.  And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.  They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.  For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.  I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. 

They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.  The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.” (Deuteronomy 32:119-25) 

Like the frustrated parent of the spoiled child, God has decided to spank them for their behavior and send them away without food.  He will not give in until they are hungry enough to enjoy what he provides.

“I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.  For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.  O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! ” (Deuteronomy 32:26-29) 

The spoiled child who didn’t get his way may well decide to run away or cook what he wants for himself, so despite their frustration, the parent must still keep an eye on them to protect them from the consequences of such actions.  Like the spoiled child, Israel needs to consider the consequences of their actions and what God has done for them.

“How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?  For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.  For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.  Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures

To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.  For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.  And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.?” (Deuteronomy 32:30-38) 

In their rebellion and pride, Israel needed to realize the only reason they could so easily overcome much more powerful nations was because the god’s they worshipped did not protect them from God.  In fact, as Paul tells us in I Corinthians 8:4, “…we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”   Just as Sodom and Gomorrah’s riches had allowed them to ignore God’s judgment for a while, each of the countries around them were trusting in their possessions for protection.

Like Sodom and Gomorrah, when their wickedness reaches a certain point, God will judge them.  If Israel turns to similar wickedness, God will judge them the same way.  They will find that those false Gods they have sacrificed to are no more able to save them than they were the people who originally worshipped them.

“See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.  For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.  If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. 

Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.” (Deuteronomy 32:39-43) 

As the creator of the world, God has the right to give or take life, to hurt or to heal.  He will destroy those who turn against him and those who harm or kill innocent people.  At the same time he will protect and bless those nations who please him, whether they be Jews or not.

“And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.  And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel: And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.  For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.” (Deuteronomy 32:44-47)

The law was not just a set of arbitrary standards, they were the basic principles for having a good life.  People’s very existence depends on keeping these principles, and since Israel had been given them in a precise written form,  they had a greater responsibility than those who had not.

It is this song that is referred to in Revelation 15:3.

Music As A Teaching Tool

Deuteronomy 31:14-30

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.  And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.” (Deuteronomy 31:14-15)

Inevitably, any organization that lasts will be forced to change leadership.  No leader lives forever.  Joshua had worked alongside Moses from the time they left Egypt.  He had led the army in defeating the Amalekites in Exodus 17 and had accompanied Moses to the top of the mountain, in Exodus 24.  Exodus 33:11 tells us that while Moses went to and from the Tabernacle,  “… his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.”  In Numbers 14, he was the only one of the twelve spies to stand with Caleb, insisting God was able to give the victory.  It is not surprising that God chose him to take Moses‘ place.

Now God has revealed that Moses is to relinquish leadership to Joshua.  He needs to spend a little time giving Joshua specific directions as to how to proceed as he first steps into Moses position.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.  Then my anger shall be kindled 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, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?  And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.” (Deuteronomy 31:16-18)

Nothing stays the same forever.  Eventually, when Moses was not there to prevent it, the Nation of Israel would begin to let down their standards and turn away from God.  When they did, they would experience exactly the things God had warned them about.  They would begin to feel that God had forsaken them.

“Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.  For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.   And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.” (Deuteronomy 31:19-21) 

Songs are a powerful teaching tool.  An old Rock song speaks of the kind of music that “just sooths the soul.” One hardly ever forgets the old nursery songs, or the ones he listened to as a teenager.  The tune just keeps coming into our mind and influencing our thoughts.   God directed Moses to write a special song to remind them that the things they experienced were the result of their turning away from God, because it would not be forgotten as easily as a lesson.  It would serve to remind them to obey God long after Moses was dead.

Because music has such a power influence, we need to consider the kinds of music we listen to.  Colossians 3:16 commands, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms(songs of praise) and hymns(songs of worship) and spiritual songs(songs which promote a spiritual attitude), singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  According to Hebrews 13:15, praise is giving thanks for what God has done.  Worship is acknowledging his holiness and power.  The songs that please God are the ones that teach about what God has done or encourage us to obey him.  It is troubling how many modern songs are only about building excitement, rather than teaching.  The right songs will be a powerful influence to guide even those who have backslidden toward what is right.  The wrong ones can be used by Satan.

“Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.  And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:22-23) 

Though he knew they would someday turn away from the Lord, Moses had done everything he could to prevent it happening.  An orderly transition to Joshua’s leadership would delay the eventual change.  His charge here was an expression of confidence in Joshua and his abilities, and a warning not to spend a lot of time trying to second guess himself or worry about what Moses would do, but o just trust God to lead him.

Over the years, I have watched hundreds of Missionaries and Mission groups who were afraid to relinquish control of their churches because they were afraid they might fall away.  While some of those who are released do turn away, most of them go on to become strong autonomous churches.  Those who are not released become increasingly dependent on the parent organization for support, much like a child who is never allowed to grow up.  A twenty year old church, like a twenty year old man, should not be dependent on their parents.

“And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.  For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?” (Deuteronomy 31:24-27)

The Ark of the Covenant already contained the two tables of stone on which God had written his commandments.  Now Moses puts all the laws from the rest of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy into a single book which the Levites were to put into the Ark as well.  Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy all focus largely on the historical events.  Leviticus focuses mostly on the Law.  Moses is never credited with writing the history, but he is credited with writing the law.  He had the law put into the Ark, that their behavior could be compared at a later date to show their wrong.  It is probable that Moses did not write the entire Pentateuch.

"Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.  For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.   And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.” (Deuteronomy 31:28-30)

Moses then ordered all the people together knowing that they would one day turn away from God, bringing his wrath upon them.  He would teach them his song as a way of influencing them to serve God in the future .

Periodic Refresher Courses Needed

Deuteronomy 31:9-13

“And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.  And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 

Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.” (Deuteronomy 31:9-13) 

While there was to be a memorial with the entire law on mount Ebal and the Jews were to post portions of the law on their gates and around their homes, it is easy to forget things.  Every seventh year, they were to assemble the entire congregation and read the entire law during the feast of tabernacles, the national campout remembering their forty years in the wilderness.  Taking the time to do this would refresh their memories of what the law said, and remind them of things they might not have realized in the past.  At the same time it would formally introduce the children to the law and to what God expected.

While most of us would prefer to learn new things, it is easy to forget that new Christians don’t know the old ones, and that we forget.  Teaching the basics is not just for the disciple ship program or the new converts class.  II Peter 1:12-13 says we are negligent if we fail to review the basics.  “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;”  In I Timothy 4:6, Paul said reminding them of these things will make one a good minister.  “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”

While it may seem a little tedious to repeat the same things, it enables the hearers to keep doing the proper things,  I Philippians 3:1 Paul says, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.”  Realizing how important it is to remind them of the basics makes it far easier to focus on those things.  While it may be more exciting to teach calculus or algebra, it is far more important that the student learns and remembers how to add and subtract.  The same principle applies to being a Christian.