YOUTH STS LESSON 148 MOSES’ FAREWELL CHARGE AND SONG

TEXT: Deuteronomy 31:1-30; 32:1-52   

MEMORY VERSE: “And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun” (Deuteronomy 32:44).

 

As Moses approached his time of departure from the world, he gave his benediction to the children of Israel. Our passage today explains the words of Moses during this benediction and his charge to Israel, Joshua (the newly appointed leader) and the general laity in Israel. In this benediction, the comportment and character of Moses showed a peculiar and exemplary leadership trait of commitment and dedication in ensuring Israel got to the Promised Land. Also, Moses formally appointed Joshua as the leader of Israel in accordance with the directive from God. Chapter 32 highlights the nature of God and the corrupt nature of the children of Israel (verses 1-6), how God chose Israel and His provision for them (verses 7-14), the consequences of backsliding (verses 1543) and the command of God to Moses concerning his death (verses 44- 52). In the same vein, God, through His love and mercy, sent Jesus Christ, His Son to pay the penalty for our sins, and through Him, all our needs are made available abundantly (2 Peter 1:3,4).

MOSES’ CHARGE TO JOSHUA (Deuteronomy 31:1-13, 22- 27; 2 Chronicles 32: 1,8,21; Joshua 1: 1-9; Acts 20: 28)

As Moses completed his earthly ministry, he called the children of Israel together and spent time to motivate and encourage them to continue their journey. He had been told by God that he would not go with them over Jordan. In spite of this instruction, he did not leave Israel alone, but ensured a proper transition of power between him and the next appointed leader. In his message, he was clear about why he could not continue with Israel. He told them that “I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan” (Deuteronomy 31: 2). He was not filled with self-gratification or self-exaltation. At this point in Israel’s history, he had recorded many miracles in the wilderness to enable them ascribe supernatural power to him. This could have resulted into a self-centred benediction. He used the opportunity to point the children of Israel to God. Moses, knowing the hearts of the Israelites, gave the promise of God to remove any dread of the enemy from their hearts. “The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said” (Deuteronomy 31:3).

God had promised Israel His presence as they went in to possess their possessions. He had given them the land which should be divided among the various tribes. Moses explained that God wanted to destroy the strange nations before Israel, so that they could possess the land. He did not want Israel to live together with these nations as they had strange gods and could lead Israel astray from the Lord (Deuteronomy 12:2). “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31: 6). Fear brings a snare and destroys our ability to move forward. It works against faith and the Lord used this medium to remind Israel not to tremble before the enemies when they face them in battles as He would give them victory. When believing youths are faced with difficulties, trials, and challenges are proving too difficult, they should learn to depend on the Lord who has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”.

Question 1: How should Christian leaders handle succession in the church or school fellowship?

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it” (Deuteronomy 31:7). The announcement of Joshua’s leadership by Moses, was done in the public for everyone to know. Moses having got a clear leading from God regarding the new leadership, he announced without any fear.

Question 2: Mention some qualities of a leader as seen in the life of Joshua.

Joshua was obedient, humble, diligent, hardworking, faithful, and knowledgeable in manner of life and dictates of the law. He was also a man of faith and he displayed this when he was chosen by Moses with Caleb and ten other representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel to go and spy the land of Canaan. While the ten others saw the enemies as giants and themselves as grasshoppers, Joshua and Caleb saw Israel defeating the enemies by the power of God. He was also spiritually minded. Youths, who desire to be used of God, should ensure they are born again, live according to God’s word and surrender themselves to His service. However, we cannot all be appointed leaders over a fellowship. But God has called us to a greater task of preaching the gospel of salvation. This is our main assignment and everyone should endeavour to preach the gospel to the lost and lead them to Christ. Moses explained to Joshua that though the work ahead was great, “…the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8), Joshua was not to depend on the arm of flesh as that would fail. God desires that His children learn to place their confidence in Him and rely on Him for victory. Moses had been instructed by God to write the commandments, which he did. As the first writer and custodian of the law, he had a responsibility of ensuring that the law was passed on as inspired by God. He therefore, as part of his benediction, wrote the law and delivered it to the priests who became the custodians and implementers of the Law of Moses. The elders also were notified of the importance of obeying and teaching the law to the other Israelites. The original copy was expected to remain in the Ark while copies could be made. However, we do not only have the law as given by Moses but do have the complete Scriptures which are meant to be obeyed. As Joshua was appointed to take over the leadership of Israel, the Lord gave him a charge saying “Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee” (Deuteronomy 31:23). God assured Joshua of His presence and continual favour on Israel as long as they continued in His ways. He reassured him of His promise to take them to the land which they were to possess. He encouraged him to be strong at heart in carrying out his duties. What a great way to start his newly assigned ministry!

MOSES EXPERIENCED DIVINE MAJESTY OF JEHOVAH (Deuteronomy 31:14-21,28-30; Psalms

40:5; 50:7-21; Deuteronomy 11:18-22; Acts 26:16)

“And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle” (Deuteronomy 31:15). As Moses and Joshua stood before the Lord in the tabernacle of the congregation, God appeared in a pillar of cloud above the tabernacle and spoke with Moses. The life of Moses is a model for those who seek to walk with God. He lived a righteous life and God continually spoke with him. Moses continually had communion with God. He was called personally by God (Exodus 3: 4-15); God commissioned him and prepared him for the great work of leading Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 6:2). Also, God exalted him and made him a god to Pharaoh (Exodus 7: 1). In the battle between Israel and Amalek, God was with him (Exodus 17:9). God called him to receive instructions for Israel (Exodus 19:3; 20: 19). He was the one who could draw near to God after he spent forty days and forty nights communing with Him on the mount (Exodus 24: 13,18). He received the tables of stone written by God Himself.

 

Question 3: How can a youth continually hear the voice of God?

A youth can only hear God speak if he has the right relationship with Him by accepting and believing in Christ. Also, he should daily read the Bible and fellowship with believers of like- precious faith. God still appears to many of His children today and speaks to them. “Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them” (Deuteronomy 31:28). After Moses finished with God, he gathered the elders so that he could warn them of corrupting themselves (Deuteronomy 31:29). This was in line with God’s earlier warning through Moses. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them” (Deuteronomy 31:16).

 

MOSES’ MESSAGE THROUGH SONG (Deuteronomy 32:1- 52; James 1:22-25; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Proverbs 16:6; Job 11:13-20; 22:23-30)

“Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass” (verses 1, 2). Moses, the servant of God, first stressed the need to give ear and listen to the word of God. This word of God is called doctrine in our text. It is likened to the dew that provides showers upon grass. The dew that comes from the word brings freshness to the soul. This portrays the need of daily reading and meditation on the word of God. It is our duty to preach this word to those around us. The word of God also reveals the nature of God to us.

 

Question 4: From verse 4, mention seven attributes of God.

“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (verse 4). One, He is the Rock of Ages (2 Samuel 22:3; 1 Corinthians 10:4). Two, He performs perfect works (Psalm 138:8). He can perfect your crooked life for His glory.

Three, He maintains right judgment (Daniel 4:37). Four, He is the God of truth (Jeremiah 10:10). Five, He is without iniquity (Psalm 92:15; Romans 9:14). Six, He is just in His dealings. Seven, He is upright. There is no god as the God of heaven. He, therefore, deserves our devotion and worship. From verses 6-8, Moses called on the people to remember how God separated them from other races for Himself. Hence, the children of Israel became the Lord’s portion and inheritance. All these were as a result of His mercy. Through the mercy of God, the children of Israel received redemption (verse 10), instructions from His word (verse 10), security and protection (verses 10, 11), divine leading and direction (verse 12), promotion, prosperity and provision (verses 13,14). At that time, they appreciated the dealings of God and served Him in holiness. “So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him” (verse 12). Today, the mercy of God is still available to forgive our sins and to bless us. The only condition is that sinful youths must turn away from their sins, receive Christ and serve God in righteousness. “But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation” (verse 15). The children of Israel were called, in our text, Jeshurun, who received the blessings from God and kicked against Him. The Scripture says, “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).

However, if we allow pride in our hearts after the Lord has blessed us, we sin against Him.

Question 5: Why was Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land?

“Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel” (verse 51). He was not allowed because he did not believe and honour God at the water of Meribah

(Numbers 20:7-13). Although God forgave him, and he entered heaven, he did not enter the land of Canaan. From the testimony of Scriptures, he is in heaven (Matthew 17:1-4; Revelation 15:3). The lesson we learn from Moses is that he was still faithful and obedient to the end of his life. Today, the Lord is calling us to a life of faithfulness and obedience to Him. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

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