Songs of the Bible: Deuteronomy 32

Song of Moses – Deuteronomy 32

– Literary Structure

• 1-7 Introduction
• 8-14 Israel’s call
• 15-21 Apostasy of Israel
• 22-33 Wrath of God
• 34-38 Judgment of nations
• 39-43 Vindication of the righteous

v.19 – Song was a witness of God against Israel

v. 1-7

• Introduces God as their rock, faithful and just
• Contrast Israel who has rebelled
  • Father/Creator – points back to creation and Abraham narrative

v. 8-14

• Divided / boundaries – Gen 10
• “sons of Israel”: sons of God – divine council
• God saw, guarded and protected Israel in Egypt and brought them to the promised land.
  • Only Yahweh did this – no other god

v. 15-21

• Israel forgot and abandoned God who
  • brought them out of Egypt
  • guides them as a father
• They turned to gods and idols of no value
• v. 21 – a sign that Gentiles would be part of God’s people

v. 22-33

• No one can escape God’s wrath/judgment
  • Famine
  • Plague
  • Beast
  • War
• God’s speech ends in v. 27
• For the sake of his honor, God won’t totally destroy
• No other god compares to Yahweh

v. 34-38

• God will avenge Israel’s enemy
• When He judges nations he is also judging the god they worship

v. 39-43

• God will vindicate Israel’s enemy
• The bloodshed most likely describes war
• Making atonement for the people and land of Israel will be the purpose of vengeance
• Though his people are unfaithful he will always remain faithful