Tag: Deuteronomy 32

Judges 2: The Gospel in Judges

Throughout the Bible, whenever the concept of the Gospel is introduced, it is usually accompanied by two components that could not be farther apart: 1) utter sinfulness of mankind; and 2) abundant grace and goodness of God. Just to list a few examples: God promised the restoration of mankind by crushing the head of the serpent as soon as Adam and Eve sinned (Gen 3); Romans 3 states that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” then says, “all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Judges 2 shows repeatedly this exact pattern: utter sinfulness and hopeless of the Israelites followed by God’s grace and compassion. Although the events in Judges 2 can be depressing, hope is embedded in between lines.

Fake Tears

The angel of the LORD came from Gilgal to Bochim to rebuke the children of Israel with stark news because they had failed to obey the LORD: He would no longer drive out other nations and they would become as thorns in Israel’s sides and their gods would be a snare to Israel (Judges 2:3). In response, all the sons of Israel lifted up their voices and wept and sacrificed to the LORD in Bochim (2:4-5).

The form of repentance was there, but missing was the true substance in Israel’s reaction to the rebuke of the LORD. To borrow the term used by Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians, this action by Israel is considered worldly sorrows (2 Corinth 7:10): frankly, fake tears, not repentance. Israel demonstrated all the outside elements that are typical of repentance: weeping, voiced lifted, and sacrifices. They were sorrowful because they were losing the privileges granted by the LORD, such as God’s fighting for them to drive out other nations. They were sorrowful because they were merely afraid. Mostly importantly, their behaviors did not change in the aftermath. Israel continued to do evil in the sight of the LORD, serving Baal (2:11), and they forsook the LORD and followed other gods and served Baal and the Ashtaroth (2:13). Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but wordly sorrows brings death (2 Corinth 7:10). This event was not godly sorrow, but worldly sorrow that led to the death (at least spiritually) in Israel. 

Failed Education and Stubborn Heart

After the death of Joshua, it was said “there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel (2:10).” This is indeed a sad statement, yet very instructional for us. 

First, the arising of another generation who did not know the LORD reflects the extreme difficulty of instilling the knowledge of the true LORD God to our children. All throughout the books of Moses, especially from Exodus to Deuteronomy, Moses implored the Israelites over and over the importance of knowing the LORD and teaching this core, life principle to their children. Deuteronomy 6 was just one of the many examples where Moses commanded to teach children and their children so that they may fear the LORD (Deuteronomy 6:2). Joshua relayed this message as well. When Joshua led Israel to cross the Jordan River, he picked up twelve stones to remind the LORD to their children (Josh 4:4-7). After defeating Ai, Joshua wrote down the entire word of the LORD on stone before all the sons of Israel as well as aliens (Josh 8:34-35). Before his death, Joshua made an emphatic statement in his last public address to urge Israel to follow the true LORD (Joshua 24:14-15). Yet, despite all these efforts from the godly leaders, the next generation quickly forgot the LORD. 

Second, the arising of the next generation who did not know the LORD points to the inherent evil condition of the heart of mankind. Sin made a grand entry to this world with Adam’s transgression (Genesis 3). Since then, it was described “every intention of the thoughts of his was only evil continually (Gen 6:5).” It also points to the book of Romans, where Paul stated, “There is no righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands (Romans 3:10).” 

Without God, Israel was hopeless. Without God, mankind is hopeless.

Utter Hopelessness

The Israelites were amazingly good at two things: 1) forsaking the LORD; and 2) serving/following other gods. Their actions were listed aplenty in this chapter. They did evil in the sight of the LORD (2:11). They forsook the LORD and followed other gods (2:12). That they forsook the LORD and served other gods is repeated again (2:13). Even when the LORD raised up judges who delivered Israel, they still did not listen to judges or the LORD and they continued to prostitute themselves and worshiped other gods (2:17). After the judge died, they would act more corruptly than before, in following other gods (2:19). They continued to hold on to their stubborn heart, refusing to abandon their evil practices (2:19).

The list is overwhelming. Is there any hope for Israel? 

God’s Continued Compassion

God is amazingly persistent in pursuing His people by reaching out to them and giving a second chance over and over. 

In contrast to Israelite’s stubborn ways, God continued to demonstrate His grace and compassion. The LORD in HIs mercy raised up the judges to deliver disobeying Israel from a strong enemy (2:16). Even when Israel did not listen to the judges, the LORD stayed with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies (2:18). The LORD had compassion for them when they were groaning because of the affliction and oppression (2:18)

Gospel: God’s Continual Pursuit over Utter Hopelessness of Mankind

This chapter shows these two components abundantly: Utter sinfulness of Israel and abundant grace and goodness of God. 

Therefore, this chapter is the Gospel. Well, in fact, the entire Bible is the Gospel. I hope you perceive and experience this.

Deuteronomy 32: Gospel in the Song of Moses

Moses commissioned Joshua in chapter 31. This chapter introduces the song of Moses – indeed, a strange song it is. However strange it may be, the Word of God is powerful and it gives life.

Imagine the Scene

One of the methods to mediate on the Word of God is to imagining yourself as one of persons in the Bible. The setting of this chapter is simple, comprising only two players, the speaker and the listeners. Moses was speaking, teaching the song, and the Israelites were listening, learning the lyrics and melody of the song. Have you ever had a music lesson? Then, you can imagine yourself as one of the the Israelites. With the exception of Joshua and Caleb, every Israelite was younger than 60. Among the listeners were some non-Israelites who joined the great Exodus and spent the past 40 years of journey with the Israelites.

Moses completed this song and presented this to 600,000 people. What was the melody like? How did the audience, composed of diverse background, life stage, and the knowledge level of God, took this message? The content of the song itself was far from cheerful or exciting. Then, what was the message and purpose of the song? Was this ever played and sung collectively by the assembly of the Israelites after Moses died?

The overall content of the song

First, notice the level of confidence that Moses displayed in the content of the song itself. The first verse shows his confidence very clear as the song started with “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth [bold emphasis added] (Deut 32:1).” He was very confident that the content was worth the attention from both the heavens (perhaps, even all the angelic beings) and the earth (all men and creation).

Well, then let’s examine the content of the song to find out what made Moses extremely confident.

After the initial claim, Moses continued the song with further proclamation of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Then, soon, the rebuke kicked in against the Isrealites. The corruption of the Israelites was highlighted. The lyrics were too heavy and grievous to be a song. Yet, this was the last public message by Moses to the entire Israelites.

  • V1-4: The introduction and the proclamation of the goodness and faithfulness of God

  • V5-7: Reminder of their rebellion and sins of the Israelites.

  • V8-14: Reminder of the goodness of God to their forefather Jacob and how the LORD led and nurtured him.

  • V15-18: How Israelites became arrogant, forsaking and despising the LORD and turning to idols.

  • V18-25: How the LORD responded in anger

The proclamation of the goodness of God was followed by the depravity of mankind, represented by the Israelites from their rebellious hearts and actions throughout their 40 years of wilderness.

Ok, then what was so special about the song that Moses called both the heavens and earth to hear the word of his mouth? The next two sections will unfold some of the mystery.

Purpose of the song

The initial purpose of the song was to testify the future evils and troubles that the Israelites would commit as indicated in Deuteronomy 31:19-21. The LORD already knew that the sons of Israelite would fall away in the new land and break the covenant with God.

Duet 31:19- 21: 19 “Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel. 20 For when I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and are satisfied and become prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn Me and break My covenant. 21 Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore. [Underline emphasis added]”

However, the ultimate purpose of the song was to warn ahead so that the Israelites would be careful to observe all the words of the Law, which was their life. The ultimate purpose of the song was to have the Israelites repent and come back to the LORD to have LIFE.

Deut 32:46-47: “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. 47 For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. [bold emphasis added]”

So, this is a song? 

The lyric of the song is very atypical – actually, they are eccentric. The proclamation of the LORD is great. Yet, the rebuke and the anger of the LORD may elicit a variety of responses. Especially from verses 19 to 25, some of the vivid description of the anger of the LORD and how He may respond to the Israelites are scary and shocking. For some, this can be an excellent reminder of their sins, leading them further into repentance. For others, this song may repel them and make their hearts even harden. Remember the good soil parable of Jesus? Good soil listens to the word of God and rejoices. Hard soil simply rejects and remains hardened (refer to Jesus’ parables in Matt 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15). The Gospel does not convey just cheerful, ear-pleasing messages. It also starkly reminds of us of depravity of our sins.

Then what were the purposes of these harsh rebukes and warnings in the song that Moses wrote? The message contained truth – it was a vivid description of the heart of the Israelites and their rebellious and stiff-necked responses to the LORD. Perhaps, one of the function of the song was to weed out the “true” followers from the “fake” ones. The song itself was the testing of the hearts and minds of the Israelites.

Can you imagine playing worship songs that reveal all the past, current and even future sins of the congregation? Even if that worship song ends with the promise and the goodness of God, it is hard to imagine any church community would do it.

Read this until the end: Gospel, sinfulness and faithfulness

Although the majority of content is composed of rebuke of the Israelites and just punishment of the LORD, the latter part of the song accentuates the LORD’s grace. He will not let go of His people to the path of a complete failure. God promises to defeat their enemies and restore them.

This seems to be the pattern throughout the history: Faithfully sinful mankind, and faithfully loving God. Whenever the good news of the Gospel is introduced in the Bible, it is usually accompanied with the rebellious and sinful heart of mankind.

The table below provides a comparison of the song of Moses to other well-known accounts of the introduction of the Gospel.

Event and reference

Sinful mankind

Faithfully loving God

Adam and Eve received judgment and gospel (Gen 3:14-19)

Adam and Eve trespassed God’s command in the garden of Eden by eating the forbidden fruit (Gen 3:6)

Although God punished them, God promised the restoration and presented the first gospel – the son of woman would crush   trespassed God’s command (Gen 3:15)

 Nicodemus visits Jesus (John 3)

The first generation Israelites’ outright rebellious attitude resulted in God’s immediate punishment with the release of fiery serpents in the wilderness (John 3:15).

Then, an immediate redemption was promised. Jesus stated that “for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”

Paul’s letter to the Romans (Romans 3)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:16)

[but] all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:25)

Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32)

The Israelites had sinned in the wilderness all throughout 40 years and the Israelites in the future would continue to be disobedient to the LORD (Deut 32:15-18)

But, the LORD will vindicate them and bring them back (Deut 32:34-43)

Perhaps, the reason for Moses’ confidence in the content of the song was that the song itself was an epitome of the Gospel. The song, by highlighting the depravity of mankind, however unpleasant, and accentuating the lovinkindness of the LORD and His promise of vindication, presents the core message of the Gospel, even without necessarily and explicitly mentioning Christ Jesus.

The LORD vindicates us despite our continual sinfulness (with Christ). The LORD continues to chase us to provide us with an opportunity to come back to Him. To those who respond to a persistent love of God will be vindicated by the LORD.

God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.