Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Our readings for today are Deuteronomy 33-34 and Luke 1:24-56.
These chapters in Deuteronomy mark a significant transition in the Old Testament. Reminiscent of the end of Genesis when Jacob blesses the 12 tribes of Israel upon his death… here we have Moses blessing the tribes of Israel just before he dies.
I love the clear God-centredness of Moses’ blessing in chapter 33.
Look at the introduction in Deuteronomy 33:2–5,
[2] He said,
“The LORD came from Sinai
and dawned from Seir upon us;
he shone forth from Mount Paran;
he came from the ten thousands of holy ones,
with flaming fire at his right hand.
[3] Yes, he loved his people,
all his holy ones were in his hand;
so they followed in your steps,
receiving direction from you,
[4] when Moses commanded us a law,
as a possession for the assembly of Jacob.
[5] Thus the LORD became king in Jeshurun,
when the heads of the people were gathered,
all the tribes of Israel together. (ESV)
And then look at his conclusion in Deuteronomy 33:26–29,
[26] “There is none like God, O Jeshurun,
who rides through the heavens to your help,
through the skies in his majesty.
[27] The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
and said, ‘Destroy.’
[28] So Israel lived in safety,
Jacob lived alone,
in a land of grain and wine,
whose heavens drop down dew.
[29] Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you,
a people saved by the LORD,
the shield of your help,
and the sword of your triumph!
Your enemies shall come fawning to you,
and you shall tread upon their backs.” (ESV)
The LORD has come
The LORD has loved them
The LORD has saved them
The LORD is eternal
The LORD is incomparable
The LORD has triumphed!
As Moses’ life comes to an end, he wants the people to know the LORD their God, to know they belong to him, to know they’re his possession, to know they are happy in him, and to keep trusting in Him as they get ready to embark on the next stage of his redemptive plans.
In Chapter 34 we have the death of Moses and then the transition of Joshua as the next leader of God’s people.
The LORD has used Moses to rescue his people from slavery in Egypt.
The LORD is about to use Joshua to take his people into the Promised Land.
Here’s the closing paragraph of the book, where we see the significance of this transition…
Deuteronomy 34:9–12
[9] And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. [10] And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, [11] none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, [12] and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. (ESV)
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.