MEDITATION: GOD'S RESPONSE TO ISRAEL'S APOSTASY
Text: Deuteronomy 32:19-43
19 October 2009
MEDITATION: GOD’S RESPONSE TO ISRAEL’S APOSTASY
1. Righteous anger of God
“For a fire is kindled in My anger” Deuteronomy 32:22
2. Judgment of God
“For the LORD will judge His people” Deuteronomy 32:36
3. Rationale
“Because of the provocation of His sons and daughters” Deuteronomy 32:19b
4. Assessment of Israel
a) A perverse generation Deuteronomy 32:20c
b) Faithless Deuteronomy 32:20d
c) Provocative Deuteronomy 32:21
d) Foolish Deuteronomy 32:28, 29
5. Relationship with Israel affected
a) Spurning of Israel
“And when the LORD saw it, He spurned them” Deuteronomy 32:19a
b) Withdrawal
“I will hide My face from them” Deuteronomy 32:20a
c) Warning of severe punishment
i) Disasters Deuteronomy 32:23a
ii) War Deuteronomy 32:23b, 25
iii) Hunger Deuteronomy 32:24a
iv) Pestilence and bitter destruction Deuteronomy 32:24b
v) Wild beasts Deuteronomy 32:24c
vi) Vengeance Deuteronomy 32:35
6. Hope amidst dire words of warning
a) Israel
i) Heart
“I will move them to anger by a foolish nation” Deuteronomy 32:21d
ii) Mind
“Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end” Deuteronomy 32:29
b) God
i) Restraint
“I would have said, ‘I will dash them in pieces…” Deuteronomy 32:26a
i) Compassion
“And have compassion on His servants” Deuteronomy 32:36b
iii) Atonement “He will provide atonement for His land and His people” Deuteronomy 32:43d
ADMONITION
“And he said to them, ‘Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe- all the words of this law.
For it is not a futile things for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:46-47
1. Set your hearts on all the words
2. It is not a futile thing
3. It is your life