Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 23, 2020

Their Rock and Our Rock

Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47

In our text this morning, Moses is about to leave the people he has led for so long. Some of his parting words are expressed through speaking the words of a song. The song conveys the stark contrast between the security of dependence on God and the futility of devotion to any other focus of worship. It also communicates a timeless and solemn summons: Rely on the only Rock!

Background/Context

-reading of the law prescribed
-Joshua commissioned

Survey of Deuteronomy 31

-ascription and explanation (3-4)
-contrast between unfaithful people and the faithful God (5-18)
-The LORD’S corrective discipline (19-30)
-contrast between the Rock and the rockless (31-38)
-a sovereign declaration (39-43)
-a specific directive (44-47)

Observations about the Rock

-repetition: 8 times in Deut. 32
-firm foundation
-safe refuge
-inexhaustible refreshment
-untroubled rest
-connection to Christ: Matt. 7:24-27 and 1 Cor. 10:1-6

So what?

-Because the LORD alone is a rock, rely on Him exclusively.
-“If God is not our best good, we have no solid good.” (Maclaren)
-“Rock of Ages, cleft for me…” (Toplady)
-“On Christ the solid rock I stand…” (Mote)