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The Song of Moses
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMusic permeates our lives and holds a significant place in the worship of God, who created it and is constantly surrounded by the songs of angelic choirs praising Him. In the heavenly vision of Revelation, the redeemed stand before God's throne, enveloped in music, singing songs of glory for His works and what He has done. Among these songs is the song of Moses, mentioned in Revelation 15, where the overcomers—those who did not worship the beast—sing this song alongside the song of the Lamb, though it remains unclear whether these are one song or two. The song of Moses likely refers to one of the compositions attributed to Moses in Scripture. One candidate is the song sung by the children of Israel on the shores of the Red Sea, found in Exodus 15, after God's miraculous parting of the waters and the drowning of the Egyptian army. This song praises God for His astounding judgment and intervention, punishing the wicked and saving the redeemed, with imagery of standing by the sea that parallels the saints on the sea of glass in Revelation 15. The themes of God's wrath on enemies and redemption of His people resonate with the events of the end times, making it a fitting song for the Kingdom. Another strong possibility is the great song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32, composed before Israel entered the Promised Land. This longer song addresses universal truths about God's dealings with sin, His judgment on those who oppose Him, and His redemption of His servants. It speaks to the heavens and earth, suggesting a broader message beyond just Israel, with themes of vengeance, wrath, and salvation that echo the contrasts in Revelation 14 through 16, such as the harvest of the righteous and the wicked. References to wine, blood, and plagues align with the imagery of the seven last plagues and God's end-time judgments. Both songs carry themes of destruction and salvation, reflecting God's dual response of wrath on enemies and compassion on His people. While Exodus 15 aligns closely with the imagery of deliverance and judgment at the Red Sea, Deuteronomy 32 offers deeper universal applications with phrases that may connect to Revelation 15:3-4. The exact song remains uncertain, but both are viable, emphasizing God's consistent nature in rewarding His servants and punishing those who reject Him. As part of the first resurrection, the redeemed will sing the song of Moses before God's throne, joining in the heavenly chorus. This song, whichever it may be, encapsulates lessons of God's justice and mercy, lessons that will be carried forward as the redeemed serve as kings and priests, teaching others during the Millennium to choose life over death, just as they have done. The task now is to continue choosing life, to be among those who will stand before Him, singing His praises in song.
Moses, Psalmist (Part 3)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughMoses, known as a writer of psalms of praise to God, reveals a multifaceted nature in his songs, which extend beyond mere praise to encompass the roles of historian and prophet. In Exodus 15, the first Song of Moses, recorded as "I Will Sing to the Eternal," begins with the context of the Red Sea crossing and the drowning of the Egyptian army, exalting God's victory over Pharaoh and Egypt. This song, divided into three parts—verses 1-5, 6-10, and 11-18—captures the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites in triumphant, descriptive poetry. The first section introduces the victory, crediting God entirely, as seen in verse 2: The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him. It outlines a progression where God acts mightily for His people, they praise Him, and He delivers them as their God. The middle section details the Red Sea crossing, emphasizing God's direct involvement—His right hand dashed the enemy, His fury consumed them, His breath parted the sea, and His wind returned the waters to destroy the Egyptians. The final section opens with the rhetorical question, "Who is like you, O LORD?" affirming that no other Being is so excellent in holiness, awesome, praiseworthy, and capable of such wonders. Moses, donning his prophetic role, predicts the terror and paralysis of nations along Israel's route to the Promised Land, foreseeing their entry as inevitable after witnessing God's power at the Red Sea. He envisions a sanctuary in the mountain of God's inheritance and concludes with a triumphant declaration of the perpetuity of God's reign in verse 18, marking the first biblical reference to God as a king in grand style.
Moses, Psalmist (Part 1)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughMoses, a remarkable figure in history, is not only known for leading Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness but also for his contributions as a psalmist. The Pentateuch contains two significant Songs of Moses, found in Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32, which stand as enduring works of praise and meditation. These songs, along with other poetic fragments attributed to him, highlight his role as the original psalmist of Israel, setting a style and thematic foundation for later psalmists. God Himself affirms Moses' skill as a songwriter, as evidenced by Revelation 15:3, where those who have victory over the beast are depicted singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, while standing on the sea of glass.
Moses, Psalmist (Part 4)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughAt the end of his life, Moses left Israel a song that encapsulates much of what he learned about godly living. In this song, as recorded in Deuteronomy 32, Moses proclaims the name of the LORD, summarizing in verse 4 that He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. Moses presents this song as doctrine or teaching, focusing on the nature of God Himself. The song breaks down into five sections: an introduction in verses 1-4; God's faithfulness contrasted with Israel's faithlessness in verses 5-18; God's just chastisement of Israel in verses 19-33; God's eventual compassion on Israel in verses 34-42; and a conclusion in verse 43. Through these sections, Moses expounds key themes. First, God is always faithful, right, just, provident, and merciful in His dealings with Israel, having found, nurtured, protected, and instructed them as the apple of His eye, giving them the best of the earth. Second, the Israelites consistently forsook Him, turning to other gods and even sacrificing to demons. Third, God's reaction to their idolatry, bringing various deadly disasters and scattering, is justified by their faithlessness to the covenant, though He restrains His wrath out of concern that Israel's enemies might misunderstand His actions and take credit for its downfall. Moses notes that this happened because Israel failed to foresee the consequences of their behavior and to understand God's character. Fourth, while God takes vengeance and inflicts punishment, He also shows compassion and mercy, pardoning the remnant of Israel once they learn that the gods they worshipped are nothing compared to the true God, allowing them to resume their relationship with Him. Finally, Moses concludes the song with an image of Gentiles rejoicing with Israel because God is faithful to His promises and will provide atonement for His people.
God's Faithfulness and Hope
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Psalms: Book Four: He Is Coming!
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The Commandments (Part Two)
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The Fear of God (Part One)
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Psalms: Book One (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause Jesus is God's Son, we can avoid the rod of His anger by paying respect with worshipful awe. We must know both His instruction and Him personally.