God’s Word Renewing Word of Faith
Introduction
Deuteronomy 32:28-44: Today’s reading is the conclusion to Moses’s song which contains God’s promise to take revenge and punish Israel’s enemies along with God’s promise of mercy for those who serve him.
Scripture Reading
28 “Israel is a nation without sense;
they have no wisdom at all.
29 They fail to see why they were defeated;
they cannot understand what happened.
30 Why were a thousand defeated by one,
and ten thousand by only two?
The Lord, their God, had abandoned them;
their mighty God had given them up.
31 Their enemies know that their own gods are weak,
not mighty like Israel’s God.
32 Their enemies, corrupt as Sodom and Gomorrah,
are like vines that bear bitter and poisonous grapes,
33 like wine made from the venom of snakes.
34 “The Lord remembers what their enemies have done;
he waits for the right time to punish them.
35 The Lord will take revenge and punish them;
the time will come when they will fall;
the day of their doom is near.
36 The Lord will rescue his people
when he sees that their strength is gone.
He will have mercy on those who serve him,
when he sees how helpless they are.
37 Then the Lord will ask his people,
‘Where are those mighty gods you trusted?
38 You fed them the fat of your sacrifices
and offered them wine to drink.
Let them come and help you now;
let them run to your rescue.
39 “‘I, and I alone, am God;
no other god is real.
I kill and I give life, I wound and I heal,
and no one can oppose what I do.
40 As surely as I am the living God,
I raise my hand and I vow
41 that I will sharpen my flashing sword
and see that justice is done.
I will take revenge on my enemies
and punish those who hate me.
42 My arrows will drip with their blood,
and my sword will kill all who oppose me.
I will spare no one who fights against me;
even the wounded and prisoners will die.’
43 “Nations, you must praise the Lord’s people—
he punishes all who kill them.
He takes revenge on his enemies
and forgives the sins of his people.”
44 Moses and Joshua son of Nun recited this song, so that the people of Israel could hear it.
Today’s Key Verse: Deuteronomy 32:39a
“I, and I alone, am God; no other god is real.”
Reflect
Verse 43 concludes the song and acknowledges God as a righteous judge of all the earth. What other verses in this section speak of God’s justice? What does today’s reading teach you about God?
Pray
God of justice and mercy, you alone are God. Whenever I feel helpless and in need of renewed strength, I know I can turn to you and seek forgiveness for my sins. Thank you, God, for your never-ending love. Amen.
And now, join us in praying for the global Bible translation movement. Loving God, we lift up to you in prayer the acceleration of Bible translation work so that all peoples will have access to your Word by 2033. There are millions of people around the world who are still waiting for their own Bible so that one day they might have access to your Word in the languages they think in, dream in, and pray in. Lord God, we ask your continued blessing on local church leaders who are engaged in translating the Bible and for those who generously support this vital work. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Deuteronomy 32:45-52: Moses gives the people final instructions.