Study 23 From The Book of
Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 32: 1-47
The analysis of this
magnificent poem is as follows:
(a)
The writer’s purpose and hope,
verse 1-3 (see Note 1 below).
(b)
God’s perfection, and Israel’s
perversity, verses 4-6.
(c)
God’s goodness to Israel,
verses 7:14
(d)
Israel’s backsliding, verses
15:18
(e)
Divine judgement upon Israel,
verses 19-29.
(f)
The victory of heathen nations
over Israel is of God’s permitting, verses 30-35.
(g)
But He will finally avenge His
people and show them His mercy, verses 36-43.
1.
What is said of God is His
essential attributes? And what, in
contrast, of the nature of Israel?
2.
What did God do for Israel (at
least seven things are mentioned in verses 7:14), and how did Israel requite
His loving-kindness?
3.
What is God’s purpose in His
judgements, and what will be the final outcome?
Notes
1.
Verse 2. ‘May my teaching drop
as the rain’: an expression of the writer’s hope that this words may act upon
the hearts of men as the rain and dew upon the soil.
2.
Verse 4. ‘The rock’ (see also
verses 15, 18, 30, 31, 37): a figure expressing the through of a refuge and
place of defence.
3.
Verse 8. ‘According to the
number…’: i.e., He reserved for Israel an inheritance adequate to their
numbers.
4.
Verse 15. ‘Jeshurun’: a
poetical name for Israel, signifying ‘the upright one’ Cf. Dt. 33: 5, 26; Is.
44:2
5.
Verse 29. “Discern their latter
end’; i.e., discern whither their perversity must lead.
6.
Verse 34. God is not unmindful
of the sins of Israel’s enemies.
