Deuteronomy 32
09/29/2025
Deuteronomy 32:15 NKJV: who is Jeshurun?
In Deuteronomy 32:15 (NKJV), "Jeshurun" is a poetic name for the people of Israel. The verse states:
"But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation."
The name "Jeshurun" (Hebrew:יְשֻׁרוּן, Yeshurun) means "upright one" or "righteous one" and is used symbolically to refer to Israel as God's chosen people, emphasizing their ideal state when faithful to God. In this context, however, the verse criticizes Israel for becoming spiritually complacent and rebellious despite God's blessings, turning away from their covenant relationship with Him.
This song is very powerful and frightening. It reminds me of what is revealed in Revelation.
You're absolutely right that Deuteronomy 32, often called the "Song of Moses," carries a powerful and sobering tone, with themes that resonate deeply with the warnings and judgments found in the Book of Revelation. The imagery and message in Deuteronomy 32:15 and beyond—where Israel, referred to as Jeshurun, turns away from God despite His blessings, leading to divine judgment—are indeed striking and can evoke a sense of awe and fear. The song blends praise for God's faithfulness with warnings of the consequences of disobedience, much like Revelation's vivid depictions of divine justice, rebellion, and ultimate restoration.
In Deuteronomy 32, the portrayal of Israel's rebellion ("Jeshurun grew fat and kicked") and God's response—judgment tempered with mercy—parallels Revelation's themes of humanity's waywardness, divine wrath against sin, and the call to repentance before the final judgment. For example, Revelation's warnings to the churches (Revelation 2-3) and the apocalyptic imagery of God's wrath (e.g., Revelation 6:12-17) echo the Song of Moses' blend of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God. Both texts emphasize God's sovereignty, justice, and desire for His people to return to Him.
The connection is even more explicit in Revelation 15:3-4, where the redeemed sing the "Song of Moses" alongside the "Song of the Lamb," tying the themes of God's deliverance and judgment from Deuteronomy to the ultimate victory of Christ in Revelation. The frightening aspect likely comes from the stark reality both texts present: God's holiness demands accountability, and rebellion leads to dire consequences, yet His mercy offers hope for redemption.
I find verses 26-28 interesting in that God says he would just wipe them all out, but for the fact that Israel's enemies would not understand what was happening and would take credit for it.
You're absolutely right that Deuteronomy 32:26-28 is a fascinating and revealing passage within the Song of Moses, highlighting God's complex balance of justice, mercy, and concern for His own glory. Let's look at the verses in the NKJV for clarity:
"I would have said, 'I will dash them in pieces, I will make the memory of them to cease from among men,' Had I not feared the wrath of the enemy, Lest their adversaries should misunderstand, Lest they should say, 'Our hand is high; And it is not the LORD who has done all this.' For they are a nation void of counsel, Nor is there any understanding in them." (Deuteronomy 32:26-28, NKJV)
In these verses, God expresses that He could have completely destroyed Israel due to their rebellion and unfaithfulness, erasing their memory entirely. However, He restrains Himself, not out of leniency alone, but because of how Israel's enemies might misinterpret such an act. If God annihilated Israel, their adversaries would likely take credit for the victory, boasting in their own power and failing to recognize God's hand in the judgment. This would obscure God's sovereignty and justice, allowing the pagan nations to falsely claim superiority.
This passage underscores several profound theological points:
- God's Concern for His Glory: God's decision to spare Israel, even in part, is tied to His desire to ensure His name is not misrepresented. He wants it to be clear that any judgment or deliverance comes from Him alone, not from the power of human enemies. This aligns with themes throughout Scripture where God acts "for His name's sake" (e.g., Ezekiel 36:22-23).
- Judgment Tempered by Mercy: While God's anger is real and justified due to Israel's rebellion (as seen earlier in the song), His restraint here shows His mercy. He doesn't completely destroy them, preserving a remnant, which foreshadows the hope of restoration later in the song (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:36, 43).
- The Folly of the Nations: The passage also critiques the "nation void of counsel" (the enemies), pointing out their lack of understanding. They fail to see God's hand in history, arrogantly attributing victories to themselves. This blindness parallels the spiritual ignorance warned against in Revelation, where nations rage against God without recognizing His sovereignty (e.g., Revelation 19:19).
The connection to Revelation that you mentioned earlier is striking here as well. In Revelation, God's judgments (e.g., the seals, trumpets, and bowls) are often misunderstood by the unrepentant, who curse God rather than acknowledge His power (Revelation 16:9, 11). The nations in Revelation, like Israel's enemies in Deuteronomy, fail to grasp that God is the one directing events, not their own strength or schemes. Both texts highlight God's ultimate control over history and His intent to make His justice and power known, even when humanity misinterprets or defies Him.
Our Sunday School lesson yesterday was about God's punishment of the Israel for failing to enter the promised land. Moses's intercession was based on this same concept of preserving God's name and glory. I know Moses didn't change God's mind, rather God was teaching Moses this concept.
Your observation about the connection between Deuteronomy 32:26-28 and Moses's intercession during Israel's earlier rebellion is spot-on, and it ties beautifully into the theme of God's concern for His name and glory. The Sunday School lesson you mentioned likely referenced events like those in Numbers 14, where Israel refused to enter the Promised Land due to fear and unbelief after the spies' report. There, Moses intercedes for Israel after God threatens to destroy them and start over with him. Let's unpack this connection and the theological lesson you're highlighting.
In Numbers 14:13-19, after Israel's rebellion at Kadesh Barnea, God declares His intent to strike the people with pestilence and disinherit them (Numbers 14:12). Moses intercedes, appealing to God's reputation among the nations:
"Now if You kill these people as one man, then the nations which have heard of Your fame will speak, saying, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring this people to the land which He swore to give them, therefore He killed them in the wilderness.’" (Numbers 14:15-16, NKJV)
Moses argues that wiping out Israel would lead the surrounding nations to misunderstand God's power and character, assuming He was unable to fulfill His promises. This is strikingly similar to Deuteronomy 32:26-28, where God Himself expresses concern that annihilating Israel would lead their enemies to boast falsely, claiming victory for themselves rather than recognizing God's judgment. In both cases, the preservation of God's name—His glory, power, and faithfulness—is central.
You're absolutely correct that Moses's intercession doesn't "change God's mind" in the sense of altering His ultimate plan. Rather, God uses these moments to teach Moses (and Israel) about His character and purposes. This is evident in how God responds to Moses's intercession in Numbers 14:20: "Then the LORD said: ‘I have pardoned, according to your word.’” Yet, He still imposes consequences—Israel must wander for 40 years, and the rebellious generation will not enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:21-23). This shows that God's mercy and judgment coexist, and His response to Moses aligns with His larger plan to uphold His covenant while disciplining His people.
The lesson God imparts to Moses in Numbers 14, and later reflected in Deuteronomy 32, emphasizes several key truths:
- God's Glory is Paramount: God's actions are not only about Israel but also about revealing His character to the world. His name must be honored as holy, powerful, and faithful.
- Intercession Reflects God's Heart: Moses's plea aligns with God's own desire to show mercy and preserve His covenant. God invites Moses into this intercessory role, teaching him to value what God values.
- Consequences Remain: While God spares Israel from total destruction, rebellion still carries serious consequences, as seen in the wilderness wandering and the warnings of Deuteronomy 32.
The connection to Revelation, which you mentioned earlier, also resonates here. In Revelation, God's judgments are not arbitrary but are meant to vindicate His name and call people to repentance (e.g., Revelation 15:4). Similarly, in both Numbers 14 and Deuteronomy 32, God's restraint in judgment is tied to His desire for the nations to recognize His sovereignty, even if they misunderstand it at the time.