No Empty Words

Read Deuteronomy 31& 32
 
Deuteronomy 31:19-22 “So write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel. Help them learn it, so it may serve as a witness for me against them. 20 For I will bring them into the land I swore to give their ancestors—a land flowing with milk and honey. There they will become prosperous, eat all the food they want, and become fat. But they will begin to worship other gods; they will despise me and break my covenant. 21 And when great disasters come down on them, this song will stand as evidence against them, for it will never be forgotten by their descendants.”
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Deuteronomy 32:45-47 When Moses had finished reciting all these words to the people of Israel, 46 he added: “Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. 47 These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.”
 
“AFTER a life of service to the nation Moses heard troubling news from the LORD... ‘They will begin to worship other gods; they will despise me and break my covenant.’ Moses had repeatedly warned them of the dangers of idolatry and of the need to obey the stipulations of the covenant. Still the Lord knew they would succumb to temptation. In response to their defection, God in his anger would withdraw his presence from them. As a result, when disasters would befall the nation, they would find no relief.
   “However, even in their rebellion they would find God’s grace. In Moses’ song in Deuteronomy 32:1-22, Israel would find the reason for their judgments. And they will know the path of repentance as written in Deuteronomy 32:45-47. They will have no excuse. They will know the reason for their troubles and the way out of their trouble. God certainly knew the human heart is prone to stray from him: ‘I know what they are disposed to do.’”
(from Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries)
   How sad it must have been for Moses. He, the very reluctant shepherd whom God called out of the desert, had become the great Lawgiver, Prophet and General of Israel. The one who said, “Oh, LORD, I’m not very good with words.” (Exodus 4:10) had become a powerful preacher to proclaim God’s blessings. He had worked long and diligently for Israel’s well-being. Yet, sin was still knocking on Israel’s hearts. Moses would depart with a sadness for Israel, submitting Israel’s future to God and to Joshua would be next to contend with the rebellious human nature in Israel.
          A lesson to learn is that we cannot control how others will respond to God’s grace. But we can control how we respond to the LORD. May you take to heart all God’s words. Pass them on to the next generation and to your neighbors. Trust the LORD’s work.