MOSES wrote Deuteronomy on the eve of his approaching death, so we can understand why the book has such an earnest and solemn tone. He speaks with much affection at times, just as a father would address his children when about to depart and they should see his face and hear his voice no more.
He deeply feels the sorrow of not being able to lead Israel across the Jordan and into that good land the Lord had given them. But though he cannot go in himself, still he desires earnestly that they should enter in and enjoy that beautiful country. Therefore he presses on them continually the lesson of obedience to the Lord. Not only was Israel’s success in possessing the land bound up with their obedience, but their keeping it as well.
Alas, for the words of the aged lawgiver were lost on the people for though they did gain possession of Canaan, they did not keep it for long. They lost it all through their disobedience, and became wanders, outcasts among the nations. Still it is beautiful to turn to the end of the book and read of the Lord’s promises of future restoration and blessing, when they shall repent and turn to Him again. He will give them back their land, surely not because they deserve it, as if there was any good in themselves, but because of His sovereign mercy and love and compassion toward them.
Going back over the past Moses reminds them of the time when he said, “I am not able to bear you myself alone.... How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?” How often His patience had been tried by their strivings and their unlovely manners! Yet it is lovely to see Moses’ spirit here. He loved them because they were God’s people. God had multiplied them until now they were as the stars of heaven for multitude, but he longs for their further blessing and he adds so sweetly, “The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as He hath promised you!”
Moses had felt he was not able to cope with their great increase and told them to appoint chiefs and magistrates among them, men who had the confidence of their brethren and who deserved the confidence they enjoyed. This they had done and Moses charged these rulers and officers to be faithful in that which was entrusted to them.
“Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s.”
Surely this is wholesome admonition for God’s people in all ages, ourselves especially. There is much of Scripture that is not about us as Christians, but it is all for us.
We are called to be faithful at all times in matters of judgment. Let us suppose the case of a relive, or one whose friendship we have enjoyed, and one who perhaps has done us many favors. A difficulty arises. We are not to allow this friendship or family connection to influence our judgment in the matter. We are not to “respect peons in judgment,” but need to seek grace from the Lord to be faithful, “for the judgment is God’s.” If we, dear young friends, heed the words of Scripture the Lord will be honored and we shall surely have His mercy and blessing.
ML-10/13/1974