Remember the past! Consider each generation! Ask questions!
“This song” in Deuteronomy 32:1-43, attributed to Moses, is the subject of this article.
As the writer of this song, he 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).
Before we look at these three imperative commands: “Remember”, “Consider”, “Ask”; allow me to read this second speech of Yahweh:
7 “Remember the ancient days,
Consider the years from generation to generation.
Ask your father, and he will declare to you,
Your elders, and they will speak to you.
8 “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance,
When He separated the sons of man,
He set the boundaries of the peoples
According to the number of the sons of Israel.
9 “For Yahweh’s portion is His people;
Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance.
10 “He found him in a desert land,
And in the howling waste of a wilderness;
He encircled him; He cared for him;
He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.
11 “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,
That hovers over its young,
He spread His wings and caught them;
He carried them on His pinions.
12 “Yahweh alone guided him,
And there was no foreign god with him. (Deut. 32:7-12, LSB).
J.H. Tigay, in a commentary for the Jewish Publication Society, writes: “Israel should consider its history in order to be reminded of all that God did for it. Compare [Deuteronomy]4:32, where Moses again urges the consideration of ancient history to show the truth of his message. Ask your father … your elders If the audience has any doubt about the truth of what is said, it can turn to its elders—the custodians of historical tradition in a predominantly oral culture—for confirmation. The challenge to consult the elders was apparently a traditional element in ancient rhetoric; examples appear in the Book of Job …”[i]
D.I. Block, in the NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, writes:
“A call to remember Yahweh’s grace ([chapter 32] vv. 7–14). These verses recite the divine actions establishing Israel and elevating her high above the nations. This exposition opens with an appeal to remember Israel’s past. If the hearers themselves cannot remember, they may consult their fathers and elders, the guardians and repositories of history in preliterate societies. The invitation recalls [Deuteronomy] 4:32, …” [ii]
Really! Is Israel supposed to ask questions about things that happened 3000+ years ago? – Yes!
Are non-Jews supposed to ask questions about things that happened 3000+ years ago? – Yes!
How do you know that? Because just two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ Adonai, when approached by a father who took his demon possessed son to the disciples; finding out that they could not cure him, went to Jesus, who after casting out the demon, quoted the Song of Moses: “And Jesus answered and said, “O you unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” (Matthew 17:17, LSB). He quoted Deuteronomy 32:20 directly and 32:5 indirectly.
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 ponder His wonderful words of life.
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).
[i] Tigay, J. H. (1996). Deuteronomy (p. 302). Jewish Publication Society.
[ii] Block, D. I. (2012). The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy (T. Muck, Ed.; p. 752). Zondervan.
