Deuteronomy 32:30-43
THIS chapter gives the solemn judgment of a people, privileged above all others, but who despised the grace and goodness of God. Israel blessed of the Lord as no other nation, nevertheless slighted His love and turned to other gods. Now they must suffer for it; “For a fire is kindled in Mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell.” Here are cast those who forget God.
No other nation has been suspected to such heavy chastening as Israel. Yet grace has spared them, for the Lord said, “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 this.” God might use their enemies to punish His rebellious, erring people, but He would allow the proud adversary to go only so far. He uses the rod to chasten His children and then He breaks the rod.
“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?” We read elsewhere the prose that “one of you shall chase a thousand,” but here Israel are told they would be put to flight by a contemptible enemy, and the reason would be all too plain: because “their Rock had sold them,” and delivered them into their enemy’s hand.
“For their Rock is not as our Rock.” The Lord is unchangeable; He never ceased to be the Rock, no matter what His poor failing people might become, and this their enemies knew only too well.
But the day will come when He will in His grace and pity take up His people Israel again, though this cannot be until after the Church has been gathered out and called home to heaven. Then, “when He seeth their power gone, and there is none shut up, or left,” He says, “I will render vengeance to Mine enemies, and will reward them that hate Me.” Israel’s enemies will be His enemies in that day of judgment.
Israel will be brought into blessing, but the Gentiles will also be brought to rejoice with them in the Lord’s grace and mercy. Thus we read: “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.” v. 43.
So Moses’ song ends with the beautiful picture of the millennial day of blessing which is drawing near, when the little nation of Israel shall call upon all the saved from among the Gentiles to rejoice together in giving thanks to the Lord, for He is good and because His mercy endureth forever.
“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people.
“For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 117.
“I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH, AND THAT HE SHALL STAND AT THE LATTER DAY UPON THE EARTH.” Job 19:25
ML-05/30/1976