Bible Study - Count - Adopt the Right Perspective - Novenber 27, 2011

Bible Study – Count – Adopt the Right Perspective – November 27, 2011.

This is the final lesson in our series of study entitled “Make Your Life Count.”

Our scripture is Deuteronomy 32:1-9, 36-39, 43.

We have journeyed with Moses for the past three (3) lessons. We have studied some of his ups and downs as he served our LORD. We got to know Moses and we got to know GOD through Moses’ interaction with GOD. In our last lesson we saw how the flesh can raise its head, even after Moses had walked with the LORD for many years. This lesson reveals that even though the flesh takes hold of those who have walked with GOD and they stumble, they press on serving the LORD because they know GOD and HIS forgiveness. They know they can come to HIM and find help in times of need. GOD never abandons them. That is HIS nature. As a Christian you can never do anything so bad that you can never come back to GOD through CHRIST. First John 1:9 tells us -
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We may disappoint ourselves in an action we take that disappoints GOD but HIS love for us remains the same. HE may punish us but through our walk and knowledge of HIM, we know that the consequences are just and justified.

As Christians, the shed blood of CHRIST covers their sins, past, present and future, but they still have to suffer the consequences of their sins e.g. if they commit adultery, they may suffer a divorce or if they steal, they have to spend time in prison.

Moses was coming close to the end of his life and his earthly journey with GOD. Our scripture focuses on what is referred to as the song of Moses.  It is actually a poem.

Adopting the right perspective toward GOD is vital for Christians. Christians must reflect on the nature and attitude of GOD. First, GOD loves all people and HIS desire is for them to come to HIM through HIS ONLY SON, JESUS. A person’s part is to come to CHRIST in faith and HIS part is to cleanse him/her by HIS shed blood. GOD declares those who come to HIM through JESUS to be justified and righteous. They can come into the very throne room of GOD and call HIM Father or Daddy. This is accomplished through the miracle of rebirth through faith in CHRIST.

When we understand the love of GOD and the discipline of GOD, adopting the right perspective toward GOD falls into place. Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with CHRIST. Do you have a personal relationship with HIM or have you been going through the motions of playing Christian? If so, it is time to get serious and allow CHRIST to be your Savior and LORD.

Let’s explore!

First let’s read Deuteronomy 31:1, 14-22: (Background)

1 Then Moses continued to speak these[1] Other Hb mss, DSS, LXX, Syr, Vg read all these words to all Israel,
2 saying, “I am now 120 years old; I can no longer act as your leader.[2] Lit no longer go out or come in The Lord has told me, ‘You (Moses) will not cross this Jordan.’[3]

14 The Lord said to Moses, “The time of your death is now approaching. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, so that I may commission him.” When Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the tent of meeting,
15 the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood at the entrance to the tent.
16 The Lord said to Moses, “You are about to rest with your fathers, and this people will soon commit adultery with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will abandon Me and break the covenant I have made with them.
17 My anger will burn against them on that day; I will abandon them and hide My face from them so that they will become easy prey.[13] Lit will be for devouring Many troubles and afflictions will come to them. On that day they will say, ‘Haven’t these troubles come to us because our God is no longer with us?’
18 I will certainly hide My face on that day because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods.
19 Therefore write down this song[14] Dt 32 for yourselves and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it,[15] Lit Israelites; put it in their mouths so that this song may be a witness for Me against the Israelites.
20 When I bring them into the land I swore to [give]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. their fathers, [a land]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper.[16] Lit be fat They will turn to other gods and worship them, despising Me and breaking My covenant.
21 And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because[17] Lit because the mouths of their descendants will not have forgotten it. For I know what they are prone to do,[18] Or know the plans they are devising even before I bring them into the land I swore [to give them]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .”
22 So Moses wrote down this song on that day and taught it to the Israelites.

Moses was 120 years old. GOD told him that he was about to die. GOD instructed him to write this song and teach it to the Israelites because HE knew they would abandon HIM but the song would be a reminder of the true GOD. HE knew that they would come back to HIM and HE would receive them after they repented from going astray. That is the love that GOD has for all of HIS children. The Song of Moses is what GOD told him to write but it comes through Moses as one who had known and experienced GOD. The Israelites knew and would hand down to future generations the walk that Moses had with GOD. To me these first four (4) verses reflect the heart of Moses toward GOD. When GOD instructs HIS children, it comes through hearts that know HIM and have experienced HIM. Dt 3:27

Let’s read Deuteronomy 32:1-4:

Song of Moses

¹ Pay attention, heavens, and I will speak; listen, earth, to the words of my mouth.^[1] Isa 1:2
² Let my teaching fall like rain and my word settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass and showers on tender plants.
³ For I will proclaim the Lord’s name. Declare the greatness of our God!
⁴ The Rock—His work is perfect; all His ways are entirely just. A faithful God, without prejudice, He is righteous and true. 

Moses could have been peeved with GOD for not allowing him to enter the Promised Land but he took his punishment.  Moses began by referring to the handiwork of GOD when he referred to the heavens and earth. He instructed them to listen. GOD manifests Himself in all creation. In Jewish law you needed two (2) witnesses to confirm a fact. Moses was pointing to the heavens and the earth as witnesses for what he was about to proclaim.  

The Apostle Paul revealed in Romans 8:19-22 that all of nature waits for the day it will be redeemed by GOD because when death and decay came to mankind it also came to all of nature.  

In Romans 8:19-22:

19 For the creation (nature) eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.
20 For the creation (nature) was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it—in the hope
21 that the creation (nature) itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children.
22 For we know that the whole creation (nature) has been groaning together with labor pains until now.

We need to keep in mind that later in the lives of the Israelites the Song of Moses would be a very important reminder of their former relationship with the true GOD. The heavens and the earth are testimonies of the reality of GOD. When that time would come in the lives of the Israelites, nature would be a reminder of their need to return to HIM. This to me reflects the heart and testimony of Moses as he experienced GOD during his journey with HIM through the many years. He saw GOD manifested in all of nature and that GOD had authority over nature.

 This brings up a good question. Many of us have served GOD through our relationship with CHRIST. What have we learned about GOD? Do we know GOD more now than we did this time last year? If we wrote a song to GOD, what would we say?

Moses continues to express what it means to serve the true GOD of the Israelites. Just as the rain and dew brings much needed water to refresh and nourish all vegetation Moses had learned obediently serving GOD brought refreshment and nourishment to his heart and very soul. Serving GOD would also refresh them.

Moses was overflowing with the joy and knowledge of GOD in his life. Have you ever experienced the presence of the LORD in your life such that you just do not know how to express yourself, that mere words just were inadequate? I get the sense that Moses’ heart was about to burst wide open from the overwhelming knowledge of GOD.  

In verse 4, Moses begins to reveal what he had learned from his intimate, personal relationship with GOD. To me, it was interesting that Moses began by referring to GOD as the Rock. I wondered if Moses thought of the rocks where GOD brought forth water. The first rock was the rock of obedience and the second rock was the rock of disobedience. But at both rocks Moses learned important attributes of GOD - His work is perfect; all His ways are entirely just. A faithful God, without prejudice, He is righteous and true. As we have journeyed with GOD, what would we say about HIM?

Let’s read Deuteronomy 32:5-9:

5 His people have acted corruptly toward Him; this is their defect[2] Or Him; through their fault; Hb obscure —they are not His children but a devious and crooked generation.
6 Is this how you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t He your Father and Creator? Didn’t He make you and sustain you?
7 Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will teach you.
8 When the • Most High gave the nations their inheritance[3] Or Most High divided the nations and divided the • human race,[4] Gn 11:1–9 He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel.[5] One DSS reads number of the sons of God; LXX reads number of the angels of God
9 But the Lord’s portion is His people, Jacob, His own inheritance.

Moses switches from what he has learned about GOD to the nature of the Israelites heart toward GOD. This to me is a glaring example of building a relationship through the lives and eyes of others versus building your own relationship with GOD. Moses had a strong personal relationship with GOD. He knew GOD but what about the Israelites?

The Israelites acted corruptly. Why did they act corruptly?  It was because they never developed an intimate, personal relationship with GOD as their Father. They never became HIS children nor experienced the intimacy and tenderness of the love that a father has for his children. In order to get to know GOD, we must walk with GOD and interact with GOD. GOD wanted Moses to establish this personal relationship between HIM and the Israelites when HE instructed Moses and Aaron to speak to the rock to bring forth water. GOD wanted the Israelites to see HIS Glory or HIS Holiness.

Moses needed to teach the Israelites how to have a personal relationship with GOD or was it that the Israelites were more comfortable depending upon Moses’ relationship with GOD? Christians must leave their comfort zone and build their own relationship with GOD through their relationship with CHRIST.

Some may say, “But what if GOD asks me to do something I do not want to do?” HE might but HE will empower, enlighten and equip you to do whatever HE calls you to do.

Moses was telling those who knew about GOD to reflect back and see what GOD had done for them over their lifetime. The Israelites had quite a heritage of GOD revealing Himself to them through miracles. Most Christians can look back and see the hand of GOD leading and directing their lives.

GOD sets the boundaries. GOD chose Israel, Israel did not choose GOD. GOD chose them over all other nations as the nation who would be instrumental in bringing GOD’S ONLY SON to earth for the salvation of all who would believe in HIM. Since CHRIST has been revealed and HE gave HIS life to pay for the sins of mankind, Christians are HIS chosen people. There will be a time when Israel will become the chosen again because there will be a time when they will acknowledge CHRIST as the promised Messiah.

Remember Ephesians 1:4-6 - 4 for He chose[3] Rm 11:5–7; 1 Co 1:26–31; 1 Th 1:4; 2 Th 2:13; 1 Pt 1:1–2 us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] Vv. 3–14 are 1 sentence in Gk. In love[5] Or In His sight in love
5 He predestined[6] Ac 4:28; Rm 8:29–30; 1 Co 2:7; Eph 1:11 us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will,
6 to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.

If the young Israelites did not remember the days when GOD led them or their ancestors, then they should ask their earthly fathers. This is so important today that fathers and mothers tell their children how they became Christians and journeyed with CHRIST. But I know that some in this generation have had bad experiences with the organized church. Some Christians can be very unchristian and it has resulted in some people staying away from the organized church or Christian fellowship. Thus their children are often not in church today.

Don’t let the way you were treated in a church or by a fellow Christian rob you of the joy of obediently serving the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 32:36-39, 43:

36 The Lord will indeed vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that [their]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. strength is gone and no one is left—slave or free.
37 He will say: “Where are their gods, the ‘rock’ they found refuge in?
38 Who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you; let it[25] Sam, LXX, Tg, Vg read them be a shelter for you.
39 See now that I alone am He; there is no God but Me.[26] Isa 40:25; 43:11–13; 46:9; Ezk 36:23 I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal. No one can rescue [anyone]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. from My hand.[27]  

GOD watches over HIS own like any loving and caring father. By the same token HE also disciplines HIS own. When I think of the Israelites I think of a wheel. They would come close to GOD and then stray. GOD would allow something bad to happen to them. They would return to GOD.

In verse 36, GOD made it clear that the Israelites needed to exhaust every ounce of their strength and ability before they would turn to HIM. When they had reached that point, HE would come to their aid.

Don’t many of us have this same nature? If there is a scintilla (a tiny amount of something) of our ability in a situation which it works out, we often think we had something to do with the outcome.

When the Israelites had exhausted their ability and GOD delivered them, HE would ask them - “Where are their gods, the ‘rock’ they found refuge in?
38 Who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you; let it[25] Sam, LXX, Tg, Vg read them be a shelter for you.
39 See now that I alone am He; there is no God but Me.[26] Isa 40:25; 43:11–13; 46:9; Ezk 36:23 I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal. No one can rescue [anyone]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. from My hand.[27]  

They had found that their own so-called “rock” in a pagan god had turned out to be useless. Now, after having faith in false gods, they hads rediscovered the true GOD Who has the power over all things. HE alone secures HIS children in HIS mighty hand and nothing on the outside can capture them. Notice, “no one” but we must keep in mind that we can take ourselves out of the circle of GOD’S protection. That is why Satan does all he can to deceive and tempt those who serve GOD through CHRIST to lure them outside of GOD’S circle of protection.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 32:43:

43 Rejoice, you nations, over His people,[29] LXX reads Rejoice, you heavens, along with Him, and let all the sons of God worship Him; rejoice, you nations, with His people, and let all the angels of God strengthen themselves in Him; DSS reads Rejoice, you heavens, along with Him, and let all the angels worship Him; Heb 1:6 for He will avenge the blood of His servants.[30] DSS, LXX read sons He will take vengeance on His adversaries;[31] DSS, LXX add and He will recompense those who hate Him; v. 41 [32] Ps 79:10 He will purify His land and His people.[33]

All nations should rejoice at the protection of GOD over HIS chosen people. GOD will “avenge”, “take vengeance” and HE will “purify.” This promise is for Christians today. When we obediently serve HIM, HE prepares the path ahead. HE provides the power and the strength when we have the right attitude toward HIM. If we become stiff-necked, arrogant and self-sufficient, then HE will remove HIS care and let us see that HE was the ONE leading, directing and protecting our lives.

Verse 43 ends with the word “purify” which means “to make atonement.” In the Old Testament, we see the judgment of GOD. This is a fore-shadow of the coming of CHRIST. When CHRIST comes and gives HIS life to pay for the sin of mankind, HIS atonement will prepare the way to GOD for all who will believe in HIM. This included those in the Old Testament who were looking forward to redemption by the Messiah, as well as, those looking back to the cross.

Second Corinthians 5:17-21: (CHRIST reconciles those who believe in HIM with GOD through HIS shed blood.)

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things[11] Other mss read look, all new things have come.
18 Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”
21 He made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us (Believers), so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 Syr, Tg; DSS, Sam, LXX, Vg read His people’s land  1 Sm 2:6–8What is your view of GOD? Do you have the right perspective of GOD? I know that times are really bad for many around the world. I also know that GOD gets our attention in bad times so that HE can have the proper place in our lives. This life compared to eternity is not a drop in the bucket. Keep in mind that GOD did not create us for time but for eternity. Blessings to all and I pray that all had a wonderful Thanksgiving because you have a deeper relationship with the LORD JESUS CHRIST.