TODAY’S READING IN THE ONE YEAR BIBLE:
APRIL 8 - Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:56-64; Proverbs 12:24
MOSES’ LAST SONG
Some songs stick with us for a lifetime. When we hear them, they can rouse foundational convictions, stir up youthful silliness or trigger the memory of a particular person or place in our past history. They can subtlety persuade us to vocalize a philosophy we do not truly believe. They can guide us to ways that are true or false. We hear just the hint of a familiar melody from our school days and our brain will boot up an old recording and we will find that the song is being played repeatedly throughout the day, complete with lyrics.
Moses was told to put a strong prophetic warning to Israel in the form of a song. Moses would be gone, but his prophetic voice would be heard. The Lord wanted the new generation and the generations to come, to know the truth. They would one day turn away from their covenant loyalty to God and suffer the consequences.
They might think. How could this happen to us? We have experienced the dealings of the Lord first hand. We are the generation that is inheriting the land.
The temptation to deception would come once they were settled down and had become prosperous in the land. They would slowly turn away from the true God to worthless idols.
Moses was to write and teach them this sad song recorded in Deuteronomy 32 that they might recognize the deceitfulness of Canaan’s counterfeit gods, and return to faith in the Sovereign Lord of Israel as soon as they had opportunity.
The song reminds us that false gods leave us disillusioned, bankrupt and miserable.
God promised to deal with His people. He would do so out of love.
What does the song call for? Repentance and a renewed vision of God as the Sovereign Lord.
Deuteronomy 32:39 (NASB) 39 'See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
The children of Israel were to receive this word as their means of salvation. They were to believe it. This instruction points to the Living Word, the New Torah, Yeshua (whose name means salvation). This Greater Joshua will bring us into what God has promised of a greater inheritance than that of Canaan. He brings us into the gift of forgiveness of sins, the inheritance of eternal life, and participation in His righteous rule throughout the ages.
Deuteronomy 32:47 (NASB) 47 "For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess."
THE DEATH OF MOSES
Moses was told that the time had come for him to die. He was to go up to the top of Mt. Nebo where he would be able to look out at the Promised Land of Canaan. Whereas Aaron climbed Mt. Hor (Sinai), where the Law had been given, and died there, to be gathered to his people, Moses would climb Mt. Nebo to view the threshold of promise. The purpose of the Law is to bring the diagnosis (the commands of God revealing the sinfulness in our hearts). The Law also points out the cure- The Tabernacle, where God comes to dwell among us, put away our sin and reconcile us to His Holy presence in the Holiest of All, Jesus Christ.
Moses represents the Law. He can point to the righteousness that God requires but he does not have it in himself, to bring us there. Nor can he enter in himself. It is to be received as a gift by the means of Another.
Deuteronomy 32:52 (NASB) 52 "For you shall see the land at a distance, but you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving the sons of Israel."
Luke 12:35-59
Jesus gives a number of parables reminding us to live each day as if it could be our last. We need to be prepared to meet Him. We will meet Him when we go to Him in death, or when He returns to earth. He calls us to be ready, watchful, faithful, wise stewards and generous ministers.
(We heard these parables before when reading the Gospel of Matthew (Matt 24-25) when Jesus was on the Mount of Olives teaching of His Second Coming.)
Jesus is teaching that His followers must live in the light of an appointed Day of Reckoning that awaits us in the future.
Hebrews 9:27-28 (NASB) 27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.
In His first coming, Jesus came to take away sins. In His second coming He will take away saints, that is, He will be bringing believers to serve with Him in His kingdom, either with rewards, or having suffered loss through neglecting fellowship in His grace and being saved as by fire.
BE READY
The first picture is one of servants ready to receive their master when he comes home from a wedding feast and knocks on the door seeking entrance into his home. He will surprise and bless those servants who greet his arrival, even if in the middle of the night, by having them recline at the table and he will dine with them and serve them! (Luke 12:37)
Jesus continually demonstrates His unsurpassed humility, even in His kingdom, as the one among us who serves.
Luke 22:27 (NASB) 27 "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
BE WATCHFUL
Whereas the first picture is one of our being ready to answer the door when he knocks, the second is a matter of our not being watchful when He breaks in like a thief. This parable emphasizes that His coming will be sudden and unexpected.
BE FAITHFUL
Jesus then speaks of the “faithful and wise manager” who has been appointed to give a portion of food at the proper time. He is consistent and reliable. He will be blessed by his master by being given responsibilities over all his possessions. This person lives each day with such excellence that he would be pleased if his master would come that day.
BE RESPONSIBLE
Jesus contrasts this faithful and wise manager with one who lives for himself rather than to please his master. He is cruel and unjust towards others and self-indulgent in his practices. He is punished rather than rewarded when his master comes. Jesus dramatically illustrates him being cut up and assigned a place with the unbelievers (See Matt 24:51; Luke 13:27-28). These metaphors for judgment indicate the eternal punishment and separation from God that awaits the unfaithful.
BE OBEDIENT
The fourth picture (in verse 47) is that of a slave who knew the master’s will but did not get ready or act in accord with his will.
BE GENEROUS WITH WHAT HE HAS GIVEN- GOOD STEWARDS
When you are given the knowledge of the will of God, you are required to do it. When we are given material blessings, we are to ask our Master how He would have us use it in His service.
Luke 12:48b (NASB) From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
BE READY TO COUNT THE COST (TO SACRIFICE)
It costs something to be ready, watchful, faithful, reliable, and to be a good steward. It costs you your reputation, for these values are countercultural. Jesus speaks of division being caused on account of Himself. If we are faithful to His Word, diligent in doing His will, we must be ready for opposition.
Jesus knew that the will of God involved suffering. His suffering would involve a baptism in which He would taste the cup of God’s wrath against sin. He would suffer at the hands of men and God. Yet He would remain faithful.
Let us draw strength by looking to Him.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NASB) 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
TODAY’S PSALM -Psalm 78:56-64
The Psalmist recounts the history of Israel in their relationship to God. When he describes how they have turned aside to other gods, he likens them to an treacherous bow in archery, sending the arrow’s trajectory away from the intended target.
Psalm 78:56-57 (NASB) 56 Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God And did not keep His testimonies, 57 But turned back and acted treacherously like their fathers; They turned aside like a treacherous bow.
What kind of instrument are you?
The Archer’s bow that was once considered reliable has become useless. When the heart is turned aside, the trajectory of every arrow will miss its God-glorifying target.
Pastor David
So, naturally, we proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. (Colossians 1:28, J.B. Phillips paraphrase)
New Life Community Church, Concord, MA 10742
Meeting Sundays at 10:30 AM at the Emerson Umbrella for the Arts, 40 Stow Street, Concord MA
Mailing Address: Post Office Box Five, Concord, MA 01742
Church Offices: 35 Bypass Rd. Lincoln, MA 01773 978-369-0061
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