Highlights In Today's Reading:
Rather prophetic, the Song of Moses (32:1-43) begins by scolding Israel and warns against provoking God. Don't miss "The Words of Life" and how to prolong your days (32:46-47)! Think about the strange end of the great lawgiver of the Hebrew people. He is not allowed to enter the promised land nor to be honored with 40 or more days of mourning as were Jacob and Joseph (Gen. 50:2-4,10,26).
The heat of the sun and the dew of night may seem far apart and opposed to each other but, unaided by human hands, they work together to produce a harvest. Who hears the dew fall or waits to see this spectacular event? In dry seasons and in darkness it comes unobserved and refreshes the grass. It does not come in sweeping torrential showers but descends gently and softly during the dark of night when we are not aware that it is falling. However, in the morning, everything is refreshed and prepared for the heat of the day.
To illustrate an important truth, God has chosen the insignificant but very important dew. Moses began his song: Hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew (Deut. 32:1-2). Then Moses blessed the tribes. And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew. . . . Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also His heavens shall drop down dew (33:13,28).
The purpose of the dew is to maintain life during dry seasons. Only living things benefit from the dew. It does nothing for stones nor dead leaves but is spontaneously absorbed by wilted plants. Dryness of spirit is always a cause for alarm; darkness is not, for you need not see what tomorrow will bring. Days of meditation in the Word of God will refresh and influence very gently and as unnoticed as the dew in the darkest night, it will bring life back to a dry soul.
Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this Law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life (32:46-47).
Whoso looketh into the perfect law of Liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (James 1:25).
Thought for Today:
Never worry nor fear; God knows how to prepare us for the tests and trials that come each day. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself (Matt. 6:34).
Christ Revealed:
As our Rock (Deut. 32:31). Christ was that spiritual Rock (Petra) that followed (accompanied) them (I Cor. 10:4).
Word Studies:
32:3 publish =proclaim; 32:19 abhorred =despised; 32:20 froward =disloyal; 32:41 whet =sharpen; 32:44 Hoshe'a =Joshua; 33:9 covenant =agreement; 33:15 lasting =everlasting; 33:28 corn =grain; 33:29 tread upon their high places =trample down their heathen altars; 34:2 utmost sea =Mediterranean; 34:6 sepulchre =grave; 34:7 abated =lessened; 34:12 great terror =marvelous deeds.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts to Malaysia sponsored by Paul & Linda Stalter • Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Mrs. Virginia Gardenhire • Assistant to the Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Terry Hall • Government Officials: Sen. Kent Conrad (ND) and Gov. Mitt Romney (MA) • Country: Croatia (5 million) in southeastern Europe • Major language: Serbo-Croatian • Religious freedom • 73% Roman Catholic; 15% Serbian Orthodox; 5% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for your daily needs (Luke 11:3).
Optional Reading: John 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:12