Week 10: Deuteronomy 32-34; Joshua 1-24; Moses and Joshua, serving God our father

This week’s reading begins and ends with the farewell addresses of Moses in Exodus and Joshua in Deuteronomy. Between them is demonstrated the faithfulness and power of Yehovah as he drives out the Canaanites from the land. Brining the people into the land and delivering it into their keeping keeps the promise God had made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob hundreds of years earlier. God always keeps His promises.

It is also interesting that the people’s time in the wilderness begins and ends with a “Song of Moses.” In Exodus 15 after the people cross the Red Sea on dry ground and Pharaoh’s army is destroyed, Moses sings of the glory of God. Exodus 15:2-3 states, “Yehovah is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. This is my God…Yehovah is His name.”

The second Song of Moses is given under less favorable conditions. God tells Moses that after his death the people will fall into idolatry. So God gives Moses this song to teach to the people to be a witness that will call them back to Yehovah. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 “For I proclaim the name of Yehovah; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.”

In this song we are reminded that God is our Father in heaven. Deuteronomy 32:6 “Is not He your Father who has bought you? He has made you and established you.” God had described Israel to Pharaoh as being His firstborn son. So Moses reminds them of their special relationship with Him. How wonderful it is that now we also are the sons and daughters of God!

In Joshua’s farewell address He also reminds the people of their special relationship with God and calls on them to serve Him. Joshua 24:14-15 “Now, therefore, fear Yehovah and serve Him in sincerity and truth; …If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve Yehovah, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: …but as for me and my house, we will serve Yehovah.”

In the New Testament this concept of serving God is expressed as being the bod servant of God. Paul, Peter, James John and others describe themselves as being bond servants of God and Jesus. This concept was established in Exodus 21 where a person would willingly commit to serving a family for life rather than leaving after the time of their original service was completed. Exodus 21:5 states, “I love my master…I will not go out as a free man.”

In the same way we choose to obey God in all His instruction willingly. We understand the world will see this as giving up our freedom but we understand it as becoming the sons and daughters of our heavenly Father and choosing to live our lives under His direction and for His glory. By doing this we find true purpose and fulfillment for our lives.