Devotion April 23 - Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Spanish

Tuesday, April 23 – Deuteronomy 31, 32 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 43, “The Death of Moses”

Study Questions:

1. Why couldn’t Moses cross the Jordan? Deuteronomy 31:1, 2

2. What is usually the basis of our fears, and what should be the basis of our confidence? Deuteronomy 31:6

3. What was the purpose of reading the law to the people every seven years? Deuteronomy 31:9-12

4. What was the purpose of the song that the Lord ordered Moses to compose? Deuteronomy 31:19

Commentary and Reflection:

When Moses appeared before Pharaoh for the first time, he was 80 years old; now, after 40 years in the desert, he feels the weight of his 120 years. By the direction of the Lord, he prepares himself and the people for the transition of leadership. There are no protests or complaints, only trust in the plan and purpose of the One who called him in the desert of Midian. It’s interesting that Moses received his calling in the desert and ends his life and mission also in the desert.

We are reading the conclusion of his exhortations and instructions to the people of Israel. “The work of Moses as leader of Israel was ended. Still he forgot himself in his interest for his people. In the presence of the assembled multitude Moses, in the name of God, addressed to his successor these words of holy cheer: “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.” he then turned to the elders and officers of the people, giving them a solemn charge to obey faithfully the instructions he had communicated to them from God.” PP 470

The Lord orders the old leader to go with the new one to the Sanctuary to receive instructions. In front of the people, the cloud descends, a sign of the divine presence. The Lord is concerned about His people, that prosperity and well-being in the new land may make them forget their history and their calling. Here are three orders to help the people remember:

1. Give a prominent place to the Book of the Law beside the Ark of the Covenant. It refers here to the “Torah,” as these five books are called, the product of Moses’ inspiration. For Israel, for a long time, this was the “Word of God” or their Bible, the only written revelation they had. We must note the difference between the “Torah,” which God commanded to be placed beside the Ark, and the Decalogue, which God commanded to be placed inside the Ark. “The principles inscribed upon the two tables of stone were of such a nature as to place them in a class by themselves. The Decalogue was supreme; the “book” containing “the words of this law” (Deut. 31:24) was an amplification and application of its principles to the economy of Israel.” SDABC, Deuteronomy 31:26

2. Moses ordered that every seven years, in the year of remission or jubilee, the book of the Law should be read to the people. Moreover, the Lord commanded parents to put signs in their houses and to repeat “these words” to their children, and the priests constantly read portions in the Sanctuary. The inspired Word of God was to have a central place in the life of the people. There are important lessons for us here.

3. The Lord commanded Moses to compose a song (chapter 32), and teach it to the people so that, throughout history, the song with its words would serve as a reminder. Here we see the power of music and its place in the instruction of the people.

“Moses had lived a long and eventful life. He had served God and His people unselfishly and tirelessly. On earth he could never be greater than he was at that moment; yet God had more in store for him, in the heavenly Canaan.” SDABC, Deuteronomy 31:6

The old man of God didn’t know it, but in the sadness of the farewell and in the process of his death, the Lord had something better for him. Moses didn’t understand it at the moment, but he trusted. His faith was not disappointed.

It is my prayer that your faith in the Lord remains despite your failures and disappointments.

Pastor Abel Paulin

Devotion April 22

Devotion April 24

Tuesday, April 23 – Deuteronomy 31, 32 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 43, “The Death of Moses”

ABC Store Hours

Shop online at AdventistBookCenter.com

Tuesday, April 23 – Deuteronomy 31, 32 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 43, “The Death of Moses”

About Us

Shop online at AdventistBookCenter.com

About Us