Eben

” …they grew fat and kicked; filled with food, they became heavy and sleek. They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior.” Deuteronomy 32:15 (ICB)

The Hebrew word Eben means Rock (or Stone). The word is spelled with characters of the Hebrew alphabet. The First character is the letter, Aleph א (ah-leff). It represents God or Heavenly Father. The second character is Beth ב (Bah-yeet). This represents the Son, Jesus. The Rock. God and Jesus. Always working together.

Jesus is found throughout the Bible , including the Old Testament. God’s entire Word is always relevant.

Our study today is focusing on the Rock, who is faithful and true. The passage in Deuteronomy 32 is the Song of Moses. Every word of the song was given by God.

For I will proclaim Yahweh’s name. Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (WEB)

God intentionally wanted Moses to teach this song to the Israelites because they would eventually reject Him.

The song would be a reminder of their previous rejection of Him and the reason for judgment against them.

But the song would also remind them of His love and constant provision for them and His provision of ultimate salvation, even for the gentiles.

They have dealt corruptly with him. They are not his children, because of their defect. They are a perverse and crooked generation. Deuteronomy 32:5 (WEB)

Discipline for sin will always be reality. It was for the Hebrews, and it is for you and me, too.

But be thankful for that discipline. Do you remember the verse about God’s loving discipline?

“My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him.
or whom the Lord loves, he disciplines and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:6 (WEB)

Sin dishonors our Holy God. Sin leads to darkness and death. Sin led to the brutal crucifixion of Jesus. Sin wasn’t just a Hebrew problem. We can’t read these passages and not see ourselves in them.

We can’t just gleefully have Mardi Gras every day and then have a prescribed day of repentance and mourning. Staying in habitual or planned sin is an abuse of God’s grace. If we can easily sin without true conscience and remorse, then we need to look at our heart. Have we truly given our lives to God?

Of course, no one living on this earth will ever be sinless, but reading this passage should have the effect that God intended. It is a reminder of His Holiness, our rejection of His ways that leads to death, His kindness that leads to repentance, His certain provision for salvation to those who surrender to Him, and our relentless pursuit to be more like Jesus.

The last words of the Song of Moses are a promise that God will “make atonement for his land and people” (Deuteronomy 32:43). This is a significant promise, because the atonement for God’s people is none other than the sacrifice of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:20).

God never has abandoned His people. (Deuteronomy 32:10-12)

The Song continues for you and me, today. Even though this passage was for the Hebrews, our Rock remembered you and me. Jesus.

Salvation for everyone who would have it. (Romans 10:8-13)

He found them in a desert land, in an empty, howling wasteland.

He surrounded them and watched over them;

 He guarded them as he would guard his own eyes.
Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young,

so He spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on His pinions.

Deuteronomy 32:10-11 (NLT)

The Song continues for you and me, today. Even though this passage was for the Hebrews, our Rock remembered you and me.

Share the Good News in your world!

Isaiah 52:7

International Children’s Bible (ICB)

The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.