Sermon outline

INTRODUCTION
We should pray God’s promises back to Him. But God has not only issued promises; He has also issued threats. Faithful prayer asks God to be true to both.

THE TEXT
“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass . . . .” (Deuteronomy 32:1-43).

SONG OF MOSES
Yahweh commanded Moses to compose the song of Deuteronomy 32 as a witness against the sons of Israel, so that when Israel turns from Him and suffers trouble as a result, “this song will testify before them as a witness” (Deuteronomy 31:20-21). Deuteronomy 32 is one of the most frequently quoted passages in the Bible. In many passages, Yahweh is called the “Rock” of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 92:15; 119:137; 145:17; Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4) or “Father” (Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 63:16; 64:8; Jeremiah 3:4, 19; Malachi 1:6; Matthew 5:16). The threats of famine, pestilence, and sword in verses 24-25 are frequently mentioned by the prophets (e.g., Jeremiah 14:12-16; 15:2-3). Isaiah picks up the comparison of Israel to Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 32; Isaiah 1:9) and the refrain “I am He” (v. 39; Isaiah 43:10; 48:12).

In the course of this song, Yahweh promises, with His hand raised in an oath, to “render vengeance on My adversaries,” to “repay those who hate Me,” and to “avenge the blood of His servants” (vv. 40-43). Like other portions of this song, these promises are reiterated frequently in Scripture, particularly in Revelation (Matthew 23:35; Revelation 6:10; 11:18; 16:6; 18:24; 19:2). Yahweh is an Avenger, a jealous Husband who does not tolerate assaults on His bride.

CURSED ARE THOSE WHO CURSE
Behind the Song of Moses stands Yahweh’s original promise to Abram. As soon as Yahweh brings Abram to Canaan, He promises not only to make Him a great nation and plant Him in the land, but also to “bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3; cf. 27:29; Numbers 24:9). Notice that the threat is not against those who curse Yahweh. Yahweh threatens to curse those who curse Abram. We are Abraham’s seed (Galatians 3), and thus these promises are ours: Our Lord promises and threatens to curse those who curse us, and to take up our cause against our enemies. If we should turn the promises of Genesis 12 (land, a great nation, blessing, great name) into petitions – and we should – there is every reason to turn the threats of Genesis 12 into petitions as well.

LEX TALIONIS
Another principle operating here is the “law of retribution” or “lex talionis,” the principle of “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Exodus 21:22-25; Leviticus 24:17-22; Deuteronomy 19:16-21). In Deuteronomy 32, Yahweh threatens to carry out this principle against those who shed the blood of His people: Blood for blood (cf. Matthew 23:35). Like the saints under the altar of heaven (Revelation 6:9-11), we should cry out for justice – that the Lord would avenge the blood of His bride.