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Israel (Deut. 33) but preceded this parallel with Genesis 49, by a 'song'
(Deut. 32:44) to which we now draw attention.
The prophetic outline of Israel's history in this chapter is set forth
in structural form in The Companion Bible. We approach this song afresh as
some of these prophetic forecasts are not easy to establish, and the
following analysis is commended to all who are willing to 'search and see'
and not take matters of such importance for granted.
We observe in the opening verses, that the Song is closely related to
the publishing of 'the name' of the Lord:
'Because I will publish the name of the Lord:
Ascribe ye greatness unto our 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' (Deut. 32:3,4).
The name 'Jehovah' was God's name and memorial 'for the age' (Exod.
3:15). It is given a New Testament expansion in the Revelation: 'He Who was,
and is, and is to come'. This covenant Name spans the age, and carries with
it the pledge that the early promise, though temporarily suspended, shall yet
be realized. This we can trace in the Song before us, which we have called
The Song of Jehovah's Name.
Heaven and earth are called upon to hear this proclamation, the
doctrine of which is likened to rain and dew upon the tender herb, and
showers upon the grass (Deut. 32:1,2). This, we learn from Psalm 72:6, is a
figure setting forth the restoration of Israel at the coming of the Lord:
'He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass (mowings - the grass
having been cut and carried away, leaving all parched and apparently
dead): as showers that water the earth'.
The Psalm that contains these words 'consummates the prayers of David'
(Psa. 72:20), just as Deuteronomy 32 consummates the desire of Moses. This
Song of Moses has been like a quarry out of which succeeding prophets have
been led to take stones for the erection of the great temple of truth.
Isaiah's prophecy traverses much the same ground as that covered in the
Song.
We give the following parallels as examples:
'Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken'
(Isa. 1:2 cf. Deut. 32:1).
'I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled
against Me' (Isa. 1:2 cf. Deut. 32:6,13,14,15).
'Children that are corrupters' (Isa. 1:4 cf. Deut. 32:5).
'Ye rulers of Sodom ... ye people of Gomorrah' (Isa. 1:10 cf.
Deut. 32:32).
'Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it
forth wild grapes?' (Isa. 5:4 cf. Deut. 32:32).
'Thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer' (Isa. 63:16 cf. Deut.
32:6).
'But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay' (Isa. 64:8 cf.
Deut. 32:6).
'Blessed be ... Israel Mine inheritance' (Isa. 19:25 cf. Deut. 32:9).