Word of Encouragement (03/08/2023)
He said, "The LORD came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand. 3 Yes, he loved his people, all his holy ones were in his hand; so they followed in your steps, receiving direction from you, 4when Moses commanded us a law, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob. 5 Thus the LORD became king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together. (Deut. 33:2-5)
This is the prelude to Moses’ final benediction on the Israelites. In it, Moses gives a brief reminder of God’s kingship over Israel and how it came to be so. Why does he begin in this way?
First, Moses shows the source of his benediction. He has been Israel’s undisputed leader for the past forty years. Now that he is about to depart from the world, he wants to bless the people, for whom he labored tirelessly for the past four decades. He loves them dearly and is concerned about their future. But, as much as he loves them, what power and authority does he have to make this benediction come true? With this prelude, Moses assures the people of Israel that God their King is the source of the benediction he is about to pronounce. In fact, he is suggesting that this benediction is prompted by the inspiration of God, who loves them. If God should be its source, this benediction is different from the mere well-wishes of men; He has the power to bring it to fruition.
Second, Moses shows the reason for this benediction: the Israelites are receiving this benediction because God is their King, and they are His people. We can randomly bless people, even strangers, because we happen to feel euphoric and generous. But they are as fleeting as the morning mist. A father’s blessing for his children is different. It doesn’t come from a random thought or feeling; it has its origin in his deep, constant love for his children. Of such kind is God’s blessing for His people, except it runs deeper and lasts longer. Moses may care for the people of God, but his love is only finite. God’s love for His people is infinite and long-lasting: “Yes, he loved his people...” (v. 3). And by entering a covenant relationship with His people, the King has bound His glory and honor with the wellbeing of His people. He has all the more reasons to bless His people.
How did God come to be their King? Moses focuses on the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai (vv. 1, 4-5). Having a king is not just about receiving his protection and blessing; it is also about living under his authority and law. This is all the more so when God, the sovereign LORD of heaven and earth, is our King. But God’s blessing and His law should not be pitted against each other. The law is good as it is established by God, who alone is good. It shows God’s goodness and righteousness and wisdom. It clarifies and elevates our innate sense of morality. If we find the law burdensome and oppressive and even distasteful, as the Israelites did, it is only because our hearts are tainted with sin.
But praise be to God! “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3-4). Our blessing descends not from Mount Sinai, from which the law was given through Moses, but from Mount Zion, from which God’s grace and truth were given in Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Because of God’s redemption, we can even appreciate and enjoy the law as God’s blessing as we walk according to the Spirit! If we can appreciate God’s law, imagine how much more we will appreciate the blessing of His promises of love and protection and guidance! Bless the Lord for your rich life in Christ Jesus!