Read: Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:56-64; Proverbs 12:24
Moses ended his song with hope even though the song is mostly filled with doom and destruction because of their disobedience. He called them senseless people with no discernment. He promised them that he would one day judge their sins and have compassion on those who had ruled over them. He would use their enemies to discipline them. God would kill and destroy that he might resurrect and redeem a people that loved him. Then he would take vengeance on their enemies and avenge the blood of their people.
Moses and Joshua stood together and said all God’s words to the people. Moses urged them that these were not just words but they were their life. Obeying them will cause them to live long in the land.
After Moses had delivered his speech, he went up on Mt. Nebo to view the land of Canaan. Because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it and ruined the picture God was going to use to teach his ways, Moses would not be able to enter the land he had spent over forty years traveling to. The cost of disobedience is high and God wanted the people to see that. God is no respecter of persons, he is a holy God.
In Luke, Jesus was talking in riddles about his second coming and the rapture. The rapture of the church takes place before the wedding. The second and third watch have to do with the other seasons when God will gather his people up. God has three great harvest times. The first is the barley harvest which happens around Passover, Unleavened Bread and First fruits. The church will be taken to be the bride and go to the wedding. The second harvest is at Pentecost when the 144,000 Jews will be martyred for their new faith in the Lord. That will be the ingathering at the wheat harvest. The last watch or harvest will be in the fall at the Feast of Trumpets when Jesus will come through the clouds with the saints and gather the last of the fruit into the barns. The fruit harvest is the grapes and the olives. They will go through the winepress of persecution.
Jesus is not the thief in verse 39; Satan is the thief. The day of the Lord is the last day when the world will be judged. The thief will break into their houses and destroy. First Thessalonians 5:4 says, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” His warning is to stay awake and doing his will, gladly anticipating his return.
Jesus came to bring fire to the earth and kindle an unquenchable thirst and hunger for him. This fire is not compatible with evil or complacency.
Lord, help us to keep our lamps full of the Holy Spirit and fire. May we not get weary in waiting for your return.
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