So this was not fun. Moses is telling the Israelites what will happen if they turn away and basically prophesying in advance that – sadly – they will. This has not yet happened, so in a sense this is a warning that they needed to take to heart. What a dreadful passage of judgment and wrath, right? Do you hear God’s hurt and frustration beneath the punishment? These were HIS people. They were the apple of His eye. He rescued them, parted the Red Sea for them, fed them in the wilderness, and taught them how to live wisely with the Ten Commandments. And yet some future day … they would walk away from the One who loved them fiercely – God their Father.
Like it or not, there are deadly consequences to sin. It’s why God is so vehement about telling us not to! When we lie, cheat, steal, defraud another human being or choose bitterness and envy over kindness there are always consequences. The fall-out can be dreadful. God’s commands are for our good and for our protection. When a child repeatedly disobeys, they get themselves into deep trouble. When we say, “Don’t Touch!” it’s not because we are mean, it’s because we don’t want a child burned by fire or shocked by electricity, right? God so patiently spelled out how to live well, and gave multiple chances – over and over – for repentance and yet Israel did not repent. This Song of Moses was sung over and over and they had ample opportunity to hear these words of warning and consequences. [sigh] We can be just as foolish if we lose our focus. Let’s not do that. Let’s choose the wiser path!
My verse: Deuteronomy 32:29, “Oh, that they were wise and could understand this! Oh, that they might know their fate!”
My response: Father God, this is the anguished cry of a parent who wants a child to do right for their own good, yet watches them make bad choices … You do not want to punish or see evil come upon Your children. If we would but listen and obey. Oh, help me, Lord, to stay near to You and stay on the path You’ve marked out for me! Straying from it looks really scary.
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You are right, Sharon. This was not an easy passage to read. My verse: Deuteronomy 32:30 ESV
How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had given them up?
https://bible.com/bible/59/deu.32.30.ESV
I read that last part of the verse, “the Lord had given them up” and it … hurts! Oh, how it must have grieved You, Lord, to see Your children walk away from all You wanted to give them! Please, keep us near You, where all is well. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Deuteronomy 32:19 When the LORD saw this, He despised them, angered by His sons and daughters.
My response: Our actions don’t only have consequences (good or bad), they effect God’s heart. I want to make our Father glad and to please Him. I know I have done much less of that than provoking His anger and jealousy over the years. Sadly, I’m not the only one and not the last, but the Lord is gracious! Though He was enraged, He still called Israel His sons and daughters. Though He promised them the painful consequences of their foolishness, they were still His children. Not forsaken but to be let down so low, they could only look up to Him. Lord, may I look up to You sooner rather than later in the midst of my own foolishness.
It’s so amazing that our God loves us so much that He hurts when we walk away … and I love the way you shared they were let down so low in order to only look up to Him. Beautifully stated! Thank you.
Such a sobering reminder that even if we see His miracles … we can still walk away, especially during times of plenty. Oh Lord, keep us close to You! How thankful I am that since Jesus’ saving death and resurrection the Spirit now lives within us, guiding and directing.
vs 20 “‘I will hide my face from them,” he said, “and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are unfaithful.”
Lord, I am faithful. Please never hide from me. As I desire to draw closer to you, may you draw closer to me. “For now I see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.” You know me fully, may I be forever faithful.
Amen! I felt the same way reading this passage. Keep me close, Lord! Don’t let me drift away …