Israel, on the other hand, was "perverse and crooked" (Deuteronomy 32:5). Moses also called God the Father of the Israelites (Deuteronomy 32:6) whom His people had repaid with corrupt behavior for His many gifts. Such a response was despicable in the ancient East. read more
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
XXXII.(1) Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.—Comp. the opening of Isaiah 1:2, which is almost identical, excepting that the two words for “hearing” are transposed. read more
(2) My doctrine.—Or, my learning, that which I receive—a not very common, but beautiful expression in the Hebrew. Everything that comes down from the “Father of lights” is handed on by one heavenly messenger to another, until it falls upon the heart of man, in just that form in which he can best receive it. The Son of God says,” My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me.” “I speak that which I have seen with my Father.” Of the Holy Spirit He says, “He shall receive of Mine and shall show it... read more
(3)—“For (or when) it is the Name JEHOVAH that I utter; Give ye greatness to our God.” read more
(4) He is the rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.—No such combination of all the words for uprightness, sincerity, equity, and reliability is to be found elsewhere in all Scripture. This is the character of the Rock. This name of God ( Tzur) is one of the characteristics of the song. The word occurs first in Exodus 17:0, where the Rock in Horeb was smitten; “and that Rock was Christ.” From that time we find that... read more
(5)—“He (Israel) hath destroyed himself.Their undutifulness,[5] that is their blot,[5] Literally, they are no sons to him. (Comp. Deuteronomy 32:20.)A froward and crooked generation !”These first two lines are given up as hopeless by many interpreters, not because the words are difficult of translation, but from the great variety of possible interpretations. After careful consideration of the passage with a learned Christian Hebrew,[6] I venture to propound this as the true translation. It is... 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
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 32:1-43
2. The song itself 32:1-43One Old Testament scholar called the Song of Moses "one of the most impressive religious poems in the entire Old Testament." [Note: W. F. Albright, "Some Remarks on the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy XXXII," Vetus Testamentum 9 (1959):339-46.] It contrasts the faithfulness and loyal love of God with the unfaithfulness and perversity of His people. As other important poems in the Pentateuch (e.g., Genesis 49; Exodus 15; Numbers 24), it also teaches major themes."The song... read more