Welcome to Wednesday Bible Study. Our opening hymn is 79. 79. God be with you. 79. God be with you till we meet again. By his counsels guide, uphold you. With his sheep securely fold you. Who does look like me again? Till we meet. Till we meet. Till we meet. God be with you till we meet again. By his counsels guide, uphold you. With his sheep secure he'll fold you. God be with you till we meet again. Till we meet, till we meet. Till we meet at Jesus' feet Till we meet, till we meet God be with you till we meet again. God be with you till we meet again. Neath his wings protecting guide you. Daily manners still provide you God be with you till we meet again Till we meet, till we meet Till we meet at Jesus' feet Till we meet, till we meet God be with you till we meet again God be with you till we meet again When life's perils take confound you Put His arms unfailing round you God be with you till we meet again Till we meet, till we meet Till we meet at Jesus' feet Till we meet, till we meet God be with you till we meet again. God be with you till we meet again. Keep love's banner floating, O you. Smite death's threatening wave before you. God be with you till we meet again. Till we meet, till we meet Till we meet at Jesus' feet Till we meet, till we meet God be with you till we meet again 544 when the row is called up beyond the 544, when the row is called up beyond the 544. When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, the time shall be no more, and the morning breaks eternal, bright and fair. When the safe others shall gather on the other shore, and the low is caught up yonder, I'll be there. When the road is called up yonder When the road is called up yonder When the road is called up yonder When the road is called up yonder I'll be there On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, and the glory of His resurrection share, when His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, and the roe is called up yonder, I'll be there. When the coral is called up yonder, When the roe is called up yonder, When the roe is called up yonder, When the roe is called up yonder, I'll be there. Let us labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun. Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care. When all of life is over and our work on earth is done, and the road is called up yonder, I'll be there. When the roe is called up yonder, When the roe is called up yonder, When the roe is called up yonder, When the roe is called up yonder, I'll be there. 548. Sweet by and by. Yeah. There's a land that is fairer than day And by faith we can see it afar For the Father waits over the way To prepare us a dwelling place there In the sweet by and by He shall meet on that beautiful shore In the sweet by and by We shall meet at that beautiful shore We shall sing on that beautiful shore The beautiful songs of the blessed And our spirits shall sorrow no more But a sun or a blessing of rest In the sweet by and by We shall meet on that beautiful shore In the sweet by and by We shall meet on that beautiful shore To our bountiful Father above We will offer our tributes of praise Glorious day of His love And the blessings that hallow our days In the sweet by and by We shall meet on that beautiful shore In the street, by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore. Amen. Thank God for beautiful music that we can sing and we thank God for His grace that we can meet once again for Bible study. Deuteronomy chapter 32 verses 44 to 52 is the text for our meditation. Deuteronomy chapter 32 and verse 44 as we conclude this chapter and also this series or this section of messages. under the outline Ascribe Greatness Unto Our God. This is part 5. Let's read Deuteronomy 32 and verse 44. And Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people. He and Hoshea, the son of Nun, And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel. And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you, because it is your life, and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. And the Lord spake unto Moses that self the same day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain, Abarim, unto Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho, and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession, and die in the mount, whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother died in Mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people." because He transgressed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah, Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because He sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet shalt thou see the land before thee, but thou shalt not go hither unto the land which I give the children of Israel." Amen. Thank God for the reading of His precious Word. ascribe greatness unto our God, part five. We have five thoughts which we began. The goodness and greatness of the Lord, verse one to four. The Mercy of the Lord on His Chosen, verses 5-14. The Spurning of the Lord's Mercies, verses 15-34. The Vengeance of the Lord, verses 35-43, which we concluded the last time. And today, The Sober Reminder, verses 44-52. Verse 44 and 45 says, And Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he and Hosea the son of Nun. So the song were the last words of Moses to the people of Israel. And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to Israel. It was a solemn delivery. He did so by song to the children of Israel. And he spoke it to as many as could hear him. And here, we are told also that Joshua, in another assembly at the same time, delivered it to as many as his voice could reach. The voice, the voice of a a man articulate and speaks and conveys words and how precious is this vocal cord that God gives us that we can commune with God, commune one with another And here, Moses was a mouthpiece for the Lord. Thus, Matthew Henry observed, coming to them from the mouth of both their governors, Moses who was laying down the government, and Joshua who was taking it up, they would see they were both in the same mind, and that though they changed their commander, there was no change in the divine command. Joshua as well as Moses would be a witness against them if ever they forsook the Lord. So the Lord gave us His word and His word provides for you and for all of us the absolute guide to life and we can measure against it and when we do so you will realise that you will not err from the good way, the blessed way. And so you see Moses and Joshua doing so through this song and you can see how he wanted to make a lasting impression, a deep lasting impression upon them when he gave those words. It was with a godly jealousy that that he remind them of the covenant of God, the covenant that God made with them since with their forefathers, so that they would not forget what good things God had done for them and so that they would continue to be steadfast, following the Lord, walking with God, the way of God's blessing. verse 46, and he said unto them, set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day. So he told them to set their hearts. You see, we can hear something, but if we do not hear, we do not just hear, but we need to imbibe, especially when we come When we come to take time to build our spiritual life, it's no use just having a head knowledge of God's Word, but it must be set in our hearts. So how can it be set in our hearts? Well, I say that we must take time to meditate, take time to think. We need to give time for ourselves to read our Bibles, to pray every day. That's the only way by which we can be reminded. So it is with godly jealousy that he speaks to the people, to set their hearts upon all the words which Moses had spoken, and these are pertinent words for us too, because it reveals to us the weakness of the human heart, the weakness, the sin that so easily besets us. So he tells them to set their hearts unto all the words. Notice here that he's asking them to consider not just one part of the song, the good part, but all the parts to help us to see that as we pursue certain direction, God's way, there is a set end, a good end. But of course Moses also tells them that if they would pursue their own end, then it will not be a good end. And so here we are told by Moses, the duty that he has set before the people of God, that they would cleave to his words with a full purpose of heart, fully to transmit those things to those that come after them. So we have begun our catechism, shorter catechism study and we are hoping that we can take time to remember, to memorize them. Why do we need to do so? Because it reminds us of who we are and what God is doing in our midst. You see, we begin with studying what is the purpose of man's existence. It is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. And how can we glorify God and enjoy Him? Well, it is to find His ways in His Word. So here, God directs us how we can do so by going to His Word. And when we go to His Word, you would realise that we would be guided. And here we are told that they are to set their hearts both to the laws and to the promises and the threatenings, the blessings and the curses that are given in the song. And Here, Moses reminds them and you find that the commandments of God is a very familiar commandment. It's to the family and the families are to be the place for the education of the children. And we are reminded, isn't it, of what God has, since He called the first of His servants, Abraham, that they are to observe, to do all the works of this law. And To set our hearts, Abraham, upon God and to do His will, Abraham sets for us a good example in Genesis 18 verse 19. The Lord gave this commendation of Abraham. For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He has spoken of Him." So the purpose of God for us, God gives us in His Word. And as we take time to meditate upon it, we also have to take time to pass it on, pass it to our children. pass it to our grandchildren so that they too may enjoy that blessing that God has for His people. Verse 47, for it is not a vain thing for you because it is your life. So to set your heart to follow the Lord is not a vain thing. In other words, it will not be a vain effort. it will not be a bubble, something that will become an illusion. Because it is your life. And through this thing, ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. So here, as Matthew Henry Well puts it, the argument he uses to persuade them to make religion, to make their faith, their business, and to persevere in it. To persevere in it, to come to worship God, to come for Bible study, to take time to meditate upon the Word of God, And so do not be indifferent to God's call to meet with Him in worship, in prayer, in Bible study. It is not a trifle, but a matter of consequence, a matter of life and death. And so if we would neglect it, life would be undone. So we are persuaded, and I pray that we would be fully persuaded that this faith that God has entrusted, given to us, will be with us. Psalm 37 verse 9 to 11 says, For evildoers shall be cut off, but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while the wicked shall not be. Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The people of God who walk with him and enjoy his fellowship, they are the blessed of the Lord. And Moses gave this promise to the people of God who choose to walk with him. Through this thing ye shall prolong your days in Canaan. Here it is what Matthew Henry calls it a typical promise of that eternal life which Christ assured us. Those shall enter into that keep the commandments of God. Matthew 19 verse 17. Why callest thou me good? He says there is none good but one that is God. But if thou will enter into life, keep the commandments, This is the evidence of faith in God, or this is the evidence of faith in God, that is obedience to His commandments. So here, He is saying to them to set their hearts upon the words that were being given to them. that it is not a vain thing, but it is for your life. And through this ye shall prolong your days in the land." So Moses tells them, exhorts them to set their hearts and he tells them the blessing that would come in doing so. Verse 48. And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain, Abarim, unto Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho. And behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession. Orders were given to Moses. concerning his death. So you see, God who guides us and leads us, He leads us to do His work. He leads us also in our journey to meet Him face to face. And this instruction was given to Moses that he must go up to Mount Nebo and die. This we see, and this we learn, that His time has come. So orders were given to Moses that same day. So the day that He spoke, gathered the people to speak to them, to rehearse to them the song, was also the same day in which God told him that he had done his work. If we have done our work, why should we desire to live a day longer? But for Moses, he had prayed previously that he might go over Jordan. But here, you see that he is satisfied. As God had bidden him to say no more of that matter. In other words, he will not go over. And he has come to terms with that, that what God is doing is best for him. Verse 50. And die in the mount, whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people. As Aaron thy brother died in Malhaw, and was gathered unto his children. Because he transgressed, the Lord reminded him against me among the children of Israel, as the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, because he sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel." So here God reminds him of the sin that he had been guilty of. for which he would be excluded from Canaan, that he might more patiently, as Matthew Henry puts it, bear the rebuke because he had sinned, that he might renew his sorrow for that unadvised word which he said And the Lord reminds him of the death of his brother Aaron. And here we see how the Lord prepares His people for life, even for death. I remember there was an elderly lady who was told a testimony that in her later years of her life, especially in the last week, she began to call everybody in the church to bid them farewell. Somehow she had an idea that the Lord is going to receive her to glory. And so she bid her farewell the week before. And the week after, when her children were staying with her children in a house, and when the children came back, they saw that in the evening that the lights were not on. And so they suspected something is amiss. Normally Mother is home and the light would be on. So true enough, when they went in, they saw her lying in the bed. And the Lord has taken her home peacefully, quietly. She knew that it's time to go, to be with the Lord. So that's what the Apostle Paul says, to be with the Lord is far better. God has brought him to the third heaven, to paradise, to see the good things that are there. And compared with this earthly life, there's no comparison. And so it is a better life, eternal life with the Lord. And the Lord gives to Moses that understanding, to help him to understand and see, verse 52, Yet thou shalt see the land before thee, and thou shalt not go over unto the land which I gave the children of Israel." So if you go to Israel, there is a place in Mount Nebo that they make a tomb for Moses. And there, a representative says that this was where he viewed the promised land. So from the tomb, a big stone with an arch, and if you turn this side, you will see below you the promised land. You can have a clear view of the land. And this was what the Lord showed him. Those may die with comfort and ease wherever God calls for them, notwithstanding the sins they remember against themselves, who have a believing prospect and a well-grounded hope of eternal life beyond death." So, he was not a perfect man. There is none that is perfect. And yet, we see that The Lord has forgiven him, but there is a consequence to sin. And it's a good reminder for us, isn't it? To live our life according to what God would have us to do. So we say that the new birth brings forth the new man, the spiritual man when we come to know God. And That new life that we have in Christ is a special life where the Spirit of God comes to indwell us, where we are counted righteous, we have made right with God and we are justified before God by faith. And that faith that God first gives us will tarry with us till we are conducted by His power all the way to heaven. This was the life of Moses and Paul puts it in Romans 1.17, for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written the just shall live by faith. So the word to live is not just to live in physical life, isn't it? In eternal life, we live by faith. Before we die, we don't see it. But after we die, it is clear to us, we would see it. Thus we are made a spiritual being. The Lord says that when we come to Christ, all things are passed away. Behold, all things become new. And as such, the old life of sin and its misery is now a thing of the past. We are a new man in Christ. And Paul says in Ephesians 2.10 that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. And this was the life of Moses. The Lord had called him to walk with Him and it is recorded for us the good life of Moses, when God called him to lead his people out of Egypt. So it was the last third of the life of Moses. And we are told that Paul recorded it in Hebrews chapter 11. when he said this concerning Moses. By faith Moses, verse 23 of Hebrews 11, by faith Moses when he was born was hid three months in his mother's, of his parents because he saw that he was a good proper child and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith, Moses, when he was come to ears, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." So the Lord is going to reward him. And he saw that by faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible through faith, he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land, which the Egyptians are saying to do, were drowned. So, this is what happened. So, this is what happened. So, this is what happened Here you can see how the Lord, it was the first series of miracles in human history, Three Apples, the time of Moses, the time of Elijah and Elisha, and the time of Christ, where we see miracles taking place and you see the Exodus, the crossing of the Red Sea, the manor from heaven, and the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. All these were demonstrated for us to see. And so you can see that His life where God has ordained that we should walk in them, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. We are created unto Christ Jesus to bear forth the attributes of God in this new life. So Jesus himself said in Matthew 5.16, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. And so the new man is a vessel unto honour sanctified and meet for the Master's use and prepared for every good work. So our life has a consummation. As Paul says in 2 Timothy 2 verse 19 to 21, nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his, and let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, some to honour, some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from this, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the master's use and prepared for every good work." And so, he says no to sin. The Lord has made him clean, and he abhors uncleanness. And this new life is holy in character, pure, undefiled. Jesus himself says, blessed are the pure in spirit, for they shall see God. Where he sins, he sought the Lord for forgiveness. 1 John 1 verse 8 to 10. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, it is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us. So daily confession would be, search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. So the demeanour of a man of God is there is a poverty of spirit, there is a mourning for sin, As Jesus says, blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven, and blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. So there is a holy inclination towards the things of God and you see this fulfilled in Moses' life. a pleasure to do the will of God. This new character is called Myknos. He fulfills the purpose for which he was created, and God accords for him a place of existence and testimony upon earth to bring glory to him. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. The meek man has an inclination to love and obey the holy commandments of God. Psalmist says, O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. This was the man Moses. In Numbers 12 verse 3, the Lord himself wrote, Now the man Moses was very meek. Above all, the man who were upon the face of the earth. Amen. Thank God for His precious Word. As we meditate upon it, may the Lord bless us with understanding. Amen.