The Song of Moses – Part 1

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Song of Moses – part 1

An In-depth Study of Deuteronomy Chapter 32

by pastor Saleem Shalash

Song of Moses - part 1
Introduction

The book of Deuteronomy in Greek is pronounced as “DUETRO NOMY” which is derived from the words “DUETROS” meaning “again” and the word “NOMOS” in Greek meaning “LAW.” Thus the name of the book of Deuteronomy literally means “The Law Again” or a repetition of the Law as it is called in the Septuagint (The Greek Old Testament).

In this book, Moses recalls to the people their history and many of the commandments and laws that were given to them by God, as recorded in the previous books of Exodus, Numbers, and Leviticus.

The book of Deuteronomy is divided into three sermons, a song, a blessing, and a conclusion: The first sermon occurs in verses 1-3. The second sermon occurs in verses 5-28, while the third sermon occurs in verses 29-30. The song takes place in verses 31-32, whereas Moses’ blessing of the people occurs in verse 33 with the conclusion in verse 34.

It can be said that this book is a covenant between God and the people proclaiming that if they keep his laws, He will bless them, and if they don’t, He will punish them. God wants to share his love with His people; and if they love him in return, then they will be happy and blessed.

The sign of His love is His blessings, and the sign of their love is their obedience to His laws. This is the same as God’s original intentions for Adam, but Adam chose to disobey God and was punished with death.

Some themes in the book of Deuteronomy keeps repeating because of their significance:

  • Slavery and Redemption: Israel should not forget that they were slaves in Egypt – it is mentioned that sin is the reason.
  • God’s love: He saved them with his strong hand and that is why they should love Him (if they love other gods they will be enslaved to them) and if they do He will bless them.
  • Good fortune: the Lord has given them a land of milk and honey.
  • People of God: they are unique among all nations and should be a light to the nations.
  • An Altar for the Lord: in the place of God’s choosing. (later on that place came to be Jerusalem)
The Song

Moses sang at the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1, Revelation 15:3) and here in this chapter He’s teaching the people a song unto the Lord. This song is a key to all prophecy that talks about the birth and childhood of a nation along with their ungratefulness and backsliding, their punishment, and return.

The main theme is God’s name and His loving care for his people, His righteousness, and His mercy. This song is one of the wonders of the spiritual and lingual literature in all languages of the world. The Lord inspired it to Moses, his prophet, in a beautiful poetic Hebrew style. Moses wrote this song as the Lord commanded him so the people could learn it themselves. It included:

  • God’s dealings with His people and His miraculous works for them.
  • Prophecy about the people worshiping idols.
  • Punishments for their betrayals.
  • God’s miraculous mercies and His acceptance of their repentance.
  • God’s mercy contains all nations and peoples through accepting faith in Jesus as a Christian prophetic interpretation.

Next week’s Newsletter will feature Part 2 of Pastor Saleem’s in-depth look at Deuteronomy 32 and it’s prophetic significance to Israel and the Church!