God’s Story... For My Life
Moses’ Song
Read Deuteronomy 31:30—32:47
“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! Hear, O earth, the words that I say! Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! . . .
“For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession. He found them in a desert land, in an empty, howling wasteland. He surrounded them and watched over them; he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes. Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions. . . .”
When Moses had finished reciting all these words to the people of Israel, he added: “Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.”
(Deuteronomy 32:1-4, 9-11, 45-47)
Reflect
After three sermons, Moses changed the form of his message to singing. This song recalled Israel’s history. It reminded the people of their mistakes, warned them to avoid repeating those mistakes, and offered the hope that comes only in trusting God.
Moses’ song reminded the Israelites that they had many reasons to trust God. He had shielded them like a kindly shepherd. He had guarded them like a person protects his eyes. He had been the encircling protector, like a mother eagle who protects her young. The Lord alone had led them. The story of Israel is a good reminder for us, too. They help us to see why God is someone deserving of our trust. Let us remember to trust in him.
Moses’s song also urged the people to think about God’s Word and teach it to their children. For us, the Bible can sit on a bookshelf and gather dust, or it can point us back to God as we take time to read and study it. The Bible is not merely good reading—it’s real help for real life.
Respond
Where is your Bible? When would be a good time for you to spend time with God? Reading the Bible and praying can be two vital practices to help grow your relationship with him. Talk to him about how you can build your relationship.