JUNE 24, 2023 – CREATION AS A WITNESS

READ: Deut. 31:14-29

Give ear, O heavens, … and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth … For I proclaim the name of the Lord: ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. They have corrupted themselves; … Do you thus deal with the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father …? – Deut. 32:1-6

Moses has finished his sermon. He has spoken and written everything down. Now it must be kept beside the ark and read aloud every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles (31:9,26). The LORD informs Moses that his death is approaching (31:14). Joshua is encouraged to take over the leadership of the people: the LORD will also be with him. At the same time, God predicts that despite all the warnings, Israel will still worship foreign gods. For this, it will undergo the punishment of exile (31:16,20,29).

The LORD wants His people to be very aware of this. He teaches Moses and Joshua a song for this purpose. It serves as a witness for the future. When Israel undergoes God’s terrible punishment, they will have to acknowledge that they are guilty themselves. They must never forget what the LORD says to them in this regard. Then follows the text of this remarkable song. How can they have experienced God’s fatherly care and faithful love in everything, but still turn away from Him, the living true and righteous God?! Do you do this to the LORD?

In this song, God conducts a lawsuit with His people, with heaven and earth, creation, as a witness. It has heard this song and testify to it in the coming centuries. Israel deserves God’s punishment because it has acted corruptly against Him as their Father! How do Christians fare when they reject God’s love?

How does God warn us against apostasy in our time?

Singing: Ps. 106:19,20