And He made him suck honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock – Deut 32:13
A Brief word on the authorship and ownership of the song that Yahweh gave to Moses to write and to teach
“This song” in Deuteronomy 32:1-43, attributed to Moses, is the subject of this article.
Moses having written “this song” (Deut 31:19) , then became the owner of these wise words.
So, “This song” can be called the song of Moses because he wrote these words as part of the collection of words in the book of Deuteronomy. It is just as Scripture says: “The words of wise men are like goads, and masters [owners] of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.” (Ecclesiastes 12:11, LSB).
However, the composer of the song of Moses is Yahweh: “Then Yahweh said to Moses, … ‘So now, write this song for yourselves and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it in their mouths, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel’.” (Deut. 31:14, 9), LSB).
As we ponder the rock and the hard place; allow me to read this third speech of Yahweh:
13 “He made him ride on the high places of the earth,
And he ate the produce of the field;
And He made him suck honey from the rock,
And oil from the flinty rock,
14 Curds of cows, and milk of the flock,
With fat of lambs,
And rams, the breed of Bashan, and goats,
With the finest of the wheat—
And of the blood of grapes you drank wine.
15 “But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—
You grew fat, thick, and sleek—
Then he abandoned God who made him,
And treated the Rock of his salvation with wicked foolishness.
16 “They made Him jealous with strange gods;
With abominations they provoked Him to anger.
17 “They sacrificed to demons who were not God,
To gods whom they have not known,
New gods who came lately,
Whom your fathers did not dread.
18 “You neglected the Rock who begot you,
And forgot the God who brought you forth. (Deut 32:13-18, LSB).
“The High Places of the Earth”
There are three occurrences of “high places of the earth”: Deut 32:13; Isa 58:14; and Micah 1:3.
These verses describe, in the same order: “I will make him ride on the high places of earth”; “I will make you [masc. Singular] ride …”; and “He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.
Also, there are two instances of “my high places”: 2 Sam 22:34 and Hab 3:19.
These two passages illustrate: “He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.”
Already, from the above scriptural references, it seems that two songs are touching each other. “This song” (Deut 32:19) of Yahweh that Moses spoke here in Deuteronomy 32; and “this song” (2 Sam 22:2) that David spoke in 2 Samuel.
Here are some comments by D.L. Christensen to begin a discussion on “The High Places of the Earth”:
“Though expressed in metaphorical language, במותי ארץ, “the heights of the earth,” refers to the central highlands of Israel. On the wide range of meanings in the term במות, “high places,” see Vaughan, Meaning of Bāmâ. G. E. Wright translates the text as “he made him ride on the back of Arṣ,” where Arṣ was taken as another name for the Canaanite god Môt, Death[ The Lawsuit of God: A Form-Critical Study of Deuteronomy 32,” Christensen, D. L. (2002). Deuteronomy 21:10–34:12 (Vol. 6B, p. 797). Word, Incorporated.] …” I will continue this discussion when I extend this blog in the future.
Honey and oil are in the Rocks and Crags of Life
P.C. Craigie writes:
Honey from the crag—infertile places would be rich in produce in God’s land; it is possible that the specific reference may be to honeycombs located in the fissures of the cliff-faces. Likewise, the oil from the flinty rock may refer to olive trees growing in places otherwise bereft of fruit-growing trees.[ Craigie, P. C. (1976). The Book of Deuteronomy (p. 381). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.]”
Jon Courson shows agreement with the above statement. And he provides an excellent word of encouragement for those who find themselves between a rock and a hard place:
Jon Courson writes: “In Israel, bees make their honeycombs, and olive trees take root in crevasses or fissures in the rocks. Therefore, what would seem to be an unproductive place actually produces sweetness and sustenance.
‘I’m on the rocks,’ we cry.’This is it. I’m through.’
And yet God would say, ‘There’s honey and oil in those rocks, for in them you will discover sweetness you never knew about, empowering and anointing you never would have experienced.’
If you’re between a rock and a hard place, realize that it is there that you will find honey and oil you never knew existed.[ Courson, J. (2005). Jon Courson’s application commentary: Volume one: Genesis–Job (p. 626). Thomas Nelson.]”
We have come to the end of today’s InAllWisdom Blog. A daily blog dedicated
to wisdom for life. Thank you for reading and pondering along with me.
Please join me again to consider and gain understanding about His wonderful words and work in our lives.
Until he COMES ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory, I give this blessing that was given to Israel: “… Yahweh bless you, and keep you; Yahweh make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; Yahweh lift up His face on you, And give you peace… “ (Numbers 6:22-27, LSB).
