I will proclaim the name of the LORD
Tue, 27 June, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.
1 “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak,
and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
2 May my teaching drop as the rain,
my speech distill as the dew,
like gentle rain upon the tender grass,
and like showers upon the herb.
3 For I will proclaim the name of the LORD;
ascribe greatness to our God!”
Moses is coming to the end of his review of all that God has done for Israel. He has recalled the Exodus, and the years of wilderness wandering. He has recalled Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s covenant faithfulness. He has reminded them of the victories God has given over the enemies who fought against them on this side of the Jordan. Moses’ purpose is to inspire obedience to God and faith in Him as the are about to enter the promised land. And so Moses teaches Israel this song to recall what God has done for them.
What do we learn from this?
It is good to sing our praise to God. There seems to be a special link between singing and remembering. We remember what we sing, and so singing of God’s great acts of mercy makes it easier for us to remember what He has done for us.
But it is also important for us to proclaim the greatness of God. Not only do we sing for our own benefit of remembering and praising God for what He has done, but we also sing to share with others what He has done. We proclaim the name of the LORD to others and ascribe greatness to Him as we sing His praises.
Where is Christ in this passage?
Jesus Christ has saved us through His work on our behalf, dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. We are saved from eternal punishment and welcomed into God’s presence because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now that is something God has done for us that we should be quick to proclaim to the people around us.
