Day 554: A haunting song - Deuteronomy 31 vs 19 – 30

The Lord said to Moses: 19-21 “Write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel. For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to give to their fathers, and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and  break my covenant.  And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.”  22-23 So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel. And the Lord  commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

24-26 When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end,  Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, “Take this Book of the Law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against you. For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. 27 Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord. How much more after my death! 

28-30 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak  these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you. And in the days to come evil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger through the work of your hands.” Then Moses spoke the words of this song until they were finished, in the ears of all the assembly of Israel. Deuteronomy 31:19-30 (English Standard Version)

Over the centuries songs have been written for various reasons. Some were to celebrate victories, others to inspire people during times of hardship. In our generation many have been simple love songs, or songs of protest against perceived wrongs in the world. What was the reason or purpose of the song Moses was about to teach Israel? (vs19-21)

It was a song that would serve as a witness to the nation in the days when terrible times would come on them because they rejected God and turned away from the good laws He’d given them. It was a song which (like a bad conscience) would came back to haunt them. The words of some songs tend to linger through the years. So Moses says the words of the song they learned that day would “live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring.”

At the same time Moses taught them the song, the Lord encouraged Joshua who would be leading the people when Moses died, as was about to happen. (vs 22-23) Why do you think Moses was so sure that the people would be unfaithful to God in the future? (vs 27)

He had seen their obstinacy and rebellion many times during the 40 years he had led them through the wilderness and knew things would only be worse when he was gone. Jesus said something similar as He was led to crucifixion and many women were weeping as they followed behind. He said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’, and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Matthew 23:28-31)

How is with our soul today? When we think of what the Bible teaches, does it encourage us, or cause us to tremble? Do words of hymns and songs we learned over the years haunt us or help us? Many who thought little of God when they were young grow up to think less of Him when they grow old. We need to use the time God gives us in this life to take His words to heart. Like Joshua, we need to be strong and courageous in following the Lord.