Tehillimandpoetry

If a gentile prophet had uttered this Song [of Moses, i.e. Deuteronomy 32], he would have earned the faith of all who heard it, for it has been fulfilled up to now without exception. Surely, therefore, we should look forward to the [final] fulfillment of the word of God through His prophet Moses. (Ramban)

This week's Torah portion: Ha'azinu

Ha'azinu - האזינו : "Give ear"

Torah : Deuteronomy 32:1-52

Haftarah : 2 Samuel 22:1-22:51

Gospel : John 20:26-21:25

The Song of Moses and of the Lamb

Deuteronomy 32 contains ‘The Song of Moses,’ a fiery oracle predicting the LORD’s wrath on Israel and on the nations. On Israel because of her apostasy; on the nations because of their mistreatment of Israel. At times the reader is left uncertain of whether the song is speaking of Israel or of the nations that have harried her. Nevertheless, the image of God at war, toppling the false gods set up against Him, now chastising His people, now avenging them, spending His arrows, slaking them with blood, sharpening His sword, and satiating it with flesh are vivid poetic images. The climactic drama depicting directly intervening in human events and calling the nations into account lends the song an almost apocalyptic character. It is a song about the eschaton.

Indeed, the book of Revelation draws a great deal of its energy from the Song of Moses.

A major concern of the Revelation is borrowed directly from the Song of Moses—the coming time of vengeance when God’s people will be vindicated. The book of Revelation longs for that coming day when God will directly intervene in human events and unleash His vengeance on the ungodly nations that have martyred His people. At one point in the Revelation, we hear an angel declare, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come!” (Revelation 14:7) As God’s wrath pours out upon the nations—even while the smoke still ascends from fallen Babylon—we are granted an image of the martyred standing before the throne of God, singing the Song of Moses and proclaiming God as “King of the Nations.”

And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!” (Revelation 15:3)

Surprisingly, in Revelation 15:3, the song of Moses is referred to as the “Song of the Lamb.” Deuteronomy 32 is called “the Song of the Lamb.” One would not ordinarily associate the gentle, lamblike aspect of Messiah with the fierce and violent energy of the Song of Moses, yet in Revelation, the Lamb is also a Lion. Messiah is the agent of this final redemption. “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Yeshua.” (Revelation 14:12)