(40, 41) For I lift up my hand.—This is the form in taking an oath. (Comp. Revelation 10:5.) The two verses may be connected thus: “For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, As I live for ever, if I whet my lightning sword, and my hand take hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and repay them that hate me.” read more
(42) My sword shall devour flesh.—Comp. Isaiah 66:16 : “For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many” With blood.—Literally, from the blood of the slain and of the captivity, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Judgment must begin at the house of God, as it did in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 9:6), “and begin at my sanctuary;” but it will not end there. read more
(43) Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people.[9]—This is cited by St. Paul to show that the Gentiles must also “glorify God for His mercy” in sending Jesus Christ. But it is not wholly fulfilled yet. “If the fall of God’s people was the wealth of the world . . . what will the receiving of them be. but life from the dead?” (See Romans 11:12; Romans 11:15; Romans 15:10.)[9] The LXX. have a longer version of this verse, “Rejoice, ye heavens, with Him, and let all the angels of God worship Him... read more
THE SONG AND BLESSING OF MOSES(A) THE SONG OF MOSESDeuteronomy 32:1-52CRITICS have debated the date, authorship, and history of this song. For the present purpose it is sufficient, perhaps, to refer to the statement on these points in the note below.But in discussing the meaning and contents of the song the differences referred to cause no difficulties. On any supposition the time and circumstances, whether assumed as present, or actually and really present to the prophet’s mind, can clearly be... read more
2. The Song of Moses CHAPTER 32:1-43 1. The introduction and the theme (Deuteronomy 32:1-4 ) 2. The foolish people (Deuteronomy 32:5-6 ) 3. How Jehovah loved them (Deuteronomy 32:7-14 ) 4. Their apostasy (Deuteronomy 32:15-18 ) 5. The results of the apostasy (Deuteronomy 32:19-33 ) 6. Jehovah’s final dealing with Israel (Deuteronomy 32:34-42 ) 7. The glorious consummation (Deuteronomy 32:43 ) The song of Moses is a great prophecy. The first great prophetic utterance is found in... read more
32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, [with] his people: for he will avenge the {u} blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, [and] to his people.(u) Where the blood of God’s people is shed for their sins or trial of their faith, he promises to avenge it. read more
GOD: MAJESTIC AND FAITHFUL (vs.l-4) In these four verses the introduction of this song of Moses is both magnificent and beautiful. The heavens and the earth are called to hear the faithful words from the mouth of the Lord. His teaching drops as the rain, not like a cloudburst, but as the refreshing, nourishing dew on the land or as showers on the grass. How well it would be with us if we received it as such, appreciating its living value and refreshment. For it begins, not with what we may... read more
THE CLOSE OF MOSES ’ LIFE ENCOURAGEMENT (Deuteronomy 31:1-8 ) The law has been rehearsed and Moses’ exhortation is drawing to a conclusion. Several days may have been occupied in the review covered by Deuteronomy thus far. And now, Israel, by its leaders, having been gathered together at the place of meeting, Moses is apprising them of his imminent departure. Though advanced in years (Deuteronomy 31:2 ), was he conscious of mental or physical decay (Deuteronomy 34:7 )? Can you perceive a... read more
The Song of Moses Deuteronomy 32:0 What interest can we have in the study of events which occurred thousands of years ago? If that is the question which we put to ourselves, no wonder the answer is sometimes disappointing. We do not study the events which happened thousands of years ago. That would be too narrow a way of putting the case; we might then be mere antiquarians, deeply interested in something that transpired innumerable centuries since. We are not studying the events. We are... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:1-52
The Song of MosesThe theme of this noble Song is the goodness of Jehovah in choosing Israel and bringing them into a rich land. When they provoke Him with their forgetfulness and unfaithfulness, He disciplines them. But He does not utterly reject them; when they repent He takes part with them against their enemies and delivers them. It will be observed that the exodus begins and concludes with a Song of Moses: see Exodus 15:1-18. Psalms 90 is also attributed to him.1-6. Heaven and earth are... read more