Deuteronomio 32

1 ESCUCHAD, cielos, y hablaré; Y oiga la tierra los dichos de mi boca.

2 Goteará como la lluvia mi doctrina; Destilará como el rocío mi razonamiento; Como la llovizna sobre la grama, Y como las gotas sobre la hierba:

3 Porque el nombre de Jehová invocaré: Engrandeced á nuestro Dios.

4 El es la Roca, cuya obra es perfecta, Porque todos sus caminos son rectitud: Dios de verdad, y ninguna iniquidad en él: Es justo y recto.

5 La corrupción no es suya: á sus hijos la mancha de ellos, Generación torcida y perversa.

6 ¿Así pagáis á Jehová, Pueblo loco é ignorante? ¿No es él tu padre que te poseyó? El te hizo y te ha organizado.

7 Acuérdate de los tiempos antiguos; Considerad los años de generación y generación: Pregunta á tu padre, que él te declarará; A tus viejos, y ellos te dirán.

8 Cuando el Altísimo hizo heredar á las gentes, Cuando hizo dividir los hijos de los hombres, Estableció los términos de los pueblos Según el número de los hijos de Israel.

9 Porque la parte de Jehová es su pueblo; Jacob la cuerda de su heredad.

10 Hallólo en tierra de desierto, Y en desierto horrible y yermo; Trájolo alrededor, instruyólo, Guardólo como la niña de su ojo.

11 Como el águila despierta su nidada, Revolotea sobre sus pollos, Extiende sus alas, los toma, Los lleva sobre sus plumas:

12 Jehová solo le guió, Que no hubo con él dios ajeno.

13 Hízolo subir sobre las alturas de la tierra, Y comió los frutos del campo, E hizo que chupase miel de la peña, Y aceite del duro pedernal;

14 Manteca de vacas y leche de ovejas, Con grosura de corderos, Y carneros de Basán; también machos de cabrío, Con grosura de riñones de trigo: Y sangre de uva bebiste, vino puro.

15 Y engrosó Jeshurun, y tiró coces: Engordástete, engrosástete, cubrístete: Y dejó al Dios que le hizo, Y menospreció la Roca de su salud.

16 Despertáronle á celos con los dioses ajenos; Ensañáronle con abominaciones.

17 Sacrificaron á los diablos, no á Dios; A dioses que no habían conocido, A nuevos dioses venidos de cerca, Que no habían temido vuestros padres.

18 De la Roca que te crió te olvidaste: Te has olvidado del Dios tu criador.

19 Y vió lo Jehová, y encendióse en ira, por el menosprecio de sus hijos y de sus hijas.

20 Y dijo: Esconderé de ellos mi rostro, Veré cuál será su postrimería: Que son generación de perversidades, Hijos sin fe.

21 Ellos me movieron á celos con lo que no es Dios; Hiciéronme ensañar con sus vanidades: Yo también los moveré á celos con un pueblo que no es pueblo, Con gente insensata los haré ensañar.

22 Porque fuego se encenderá en mi furor, Y arderá hasta el profundo; Y devorará la tierra y sus frutos, Y abrasará los fundamentos de los montes.

23 Yo allegaré males sobre ellos; Emplearé en ellos mis saetas.

24 Consumidos serán de hambre, y comidos de fiebre ardiente Y de amarga pestilencia; Diente de bestias enviaré también sobre ellos, Con veneno de serpiente de la tierra.

25 De fuera desolará la espada, Y dentro de las cámaras el espanto: Así al mancebo como á la doncella, Al que mama como el hombre cano.

26 Dije: Echaríalos yo del mundo, Haría cesar de entre los hombres la memoria de ellos,

27 Si no temiese la ira del enemigo, No sea que se envanezcan sus adversarios, No sea que digan: Nuestra mano alta Ha hecho todo esto, no Jehová.

28 Porque son gente de perdidos consejos, Y no hay en ellos entendimiento.

29 ¡Ojalá fueran sabios, que comprendieran esto, Y entendieran su postrimería!

30 ¿Cómo podría perseguir uno á mil, Y dos harían huir á diez mil, Si su Roca no los hubiese vendido, Y Jehová no los hubiera entregado?

31 Que la roca de ellos no es como nuestra Roca: Y nuestros enemigos sean de ello jueces.

32 Porque de la vid de Sodoma es la vid de ellos, Y de los sarmientos de Gomorra: Las uvas de ellos son uvas ponzoñosas, Racimos muy amargos tienen.

33 Veneno de dragones es su vino, Y ponzoña cruel de áspides.

34 ¿No tengo yo esto guardado, Sellado en mis tesoros?

35 Mía es la venganza y el pago, Al tiempo que su pie vacilará; Porque el día de su aflicción está cercano, Y lo que les está preparado se apresura.

36 Porque Jehová juzgará á su pueblo, Y por amor de sus siervos se arrepentirá, Cuando viere que la fuerza pereció, Y que no hay guardado, mas desamparado.

37 Y dirá: ¿Dónde están sus dioses, La roca en que se guarecían;

38 Que comían el sebo de sus sacrificios, Bebían el vino de sus libaciones? Levántense, que os ayuden Y os defiendan.

39 Ved ahora que yo, yo soy, Y no hay dioses conmigo: Yo hago morir, y yo hago vivir: Yo hiero, y yo curo: Y no hay quien pueda librar de mi mano.

40 Cuando yo alzaré á los cielos mi mano, Y diré: Vivo yo para siempre,

41 Si afilare mi reluciente espada, Y mi mano arrebatare el juicio, Yo volveré la venganza á mis enemigos, Y daré el pago á los que me aborrecen.

42 Embriagaré de sangre mis saetas, Y mi espada devorará carne: En la sangre de los muertos y de los cautivos, De las cabezas, con venganzas de enemigo.

43 Alabad, gentes, á su pueblo, Porque él vengará la sangre de sus siervos, Y volverá la venganza á sus enemigos, Y expiará su tierra, á su pueblo.

44 Y vino Moisés, y recitó todas las palabras de este cántico á oídos del pueblo, él, y Josué hijo de Nun.

45 Y acabó Moisés de recitar todas estas palabras á todo Israel;

46 Y díjoles: Poned vuestro corazón á todas las palabras que yo os protesto hoy, para que las mandéis á vuestros hijos, y cuiden de poner por obra todas las palabras de esta ley.

47 Porque no os es cosa vana, mas es vuestra vida: y por ellas haréis prolongar los días sobre la tierra, para poseer la cual pasáis el Jordán.

48 Y habló Jehová á Moisés aquel mismo día, diciendo:

49 Sube á este monte de Abarim, al monte Nebo, que está en la tierra de Moab, que está en derecho de Jericó, y mira la tierra de Canaán, que yo doy por heredad á los hijos de Israel;

50 Y muere en el monte al cual subes, y sé reunido á tus pueblos; al modo que murió Aarón tu hermano en el monte de Hor, y fué reunido á sus pueblos:

51 Por cuanto prevaricasteis contra mí en medio de los hijos de Israel en las aguas de la rencilla de Cades, en el desierto de Zin; porque no me santificasteis en medio de los hijos de Israel.

52 Verás por tanto delante de ti la tierra; mas no entrarás allá, á la tierra que doy á los hijos de Israel.

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Deuteronomio 32 Commentary

Chapter 32

The song of Moses. (1,2) The character of God, The character of Israel. (3-6) The great things God had done for Israel. (7-14) The wickedness of Israel. (19-25) The judgments which would come upon them for their sins. (15-18) Deserved vengeance withheld. (26-38) God's deliverance for his people. (39-43) The exhortation with which the song was delivered. (44-47) Moses to go up mount Nebo to die. (48-52)

Verses 1-2 Moses begins with a solemn appeal to heaven and earth, concerning the truth and importance of what he was about to say. His doctrine is the gospel, the speech of God, the doctrine of Christ; the doctrine of grace and mercy through him, and of life and salvation by him.

Verses 3-6 "He is a Rock." This is the first time God is called so in Scripture. The expression denotes that the Divine power, faithfulness, and love, as revealed in Christ and the gospel, form a foundation which cannot be changed or moved, on which we may build our hopes of happiness. And under his protection we may find refuge from all our enemies, and in all our troubles; as the rocks in those countries sheltered from the burning rays of the sun, and from tempests, or were fortresses from the enemy. "His work is perfect:" that of redemption and salvation, in which there is a display of all the Divine perfection, complete in all its parts. All God's dealings with his creatures are regulated by wisdom which cannot err, and perfect justice. He is indeed just and right; he takes care that none shall lose by him. A high charge is exhibited against Israel. Even God's children have their spots, while in this imperfect state; for if we say we have no sin, no spot, we deceive ourselves. But the sin of Israel was not habitual, notorious, unrepented sin; which is a certain mark of the children of Satan. They were fools to forsake their mercies for lying vanities. All wilful sinners, especially sinners in Israel, are unwise and ungrateful.

Verses 7-14 Moses gives particular instances of God's kindness and concern for them. The eagle's care for her young is a beautiful emblem of Christ's love, who came between Divine justice and our guilty souls, and bare our sins in his own body on the tree. And by the preached gospel, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, He stirs up and prevails upon sinners to leave Satan's bondage. ( deuteronomy 32:13-14 ) their spiritual enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, in and through Christ. Also of their safety and triumph in him; of their happy frames of soul, when they are above the world, and the things of it. This will be the blessed case of spiritual Israel in every sense in the latter day.

Verses 15-18 Here are two instances of the wickedness of Israel, each was apostacy from God. These people were called Jeshurun, "an upright people," so some; "a seeing people," so others: but they soon lost the reputation both of their knowledge and of their righteousness. They indulged their appetites, as if they had nothing to do but to make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it. Those who make a god of themselves, and a god of their bellies, in pride and wantonness, and cannot bear to be told of it, thereby forsake God, and show they esteem him lightly. There is but one way of a sinner's acceptance and sanctification, however different modes of irreligion, or false religion, may show that favourable regard for other ways, which is often miscalled candid. How mad are idolaters, who forsake the Rock of salvation, to run themselves upon the rock of perdition!

Verses 19-25 The revolt of Israel was described in the foregoing verses, and here follow the resolves of Divine justice as to them. We deceive ourselves, if we think that God will be mocked by a faithless people. Sin makes us hateful in the sight of the holy God. See what mischief sin does, and reckon those to be fools that mock at it.

Verses 26-38 The idolatry and rebellions of Israel deserved, and the justice of God seemed to demand, that they should be rooted out. But He spared Israel, and continues them still to be living witnesses of the truth of the Bible, and to silence unbelievers. They are preserved for wise and holy purposes and the prophecies give us some idea what those purposes are. The Lord will never disgrace the throne of his glory. It is great wisdom, and will help much to the return of sinners to God, seriously to consider their latter end, or the future state. It is here meant particularly of what God foretold by Moses, about this people in the latter days; but it may be applied generally. Oh that men would consider the happiness they will lose, and the misery they will certainly plunge into, if they go on in their trespasses! What will be in the end thereof? ( Jeremiah 5:31 ) . For the Lord will in due time bring down the enemies of the church, in displeasure against their wickedness. When sinners deem themselves most secure, they suddenly fall into destruction. And God's time to appear for the deliverance of his people, is when things are at the worst with them. But those who trust to any rock but God, will find it fail them when they most need it. The rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish nation, is the continuance of their ancient idolatry, apostacy, and rebellion. They shall be brought to humble themselves before the Lord, to repent of their sins, and to trust in their long-rejected Mediator for salvation. Then he will deliver them, and make their prosperity great.

Verses 39-43 This conclusion of the song speaks, 1. Glory to God. No escape can be made from his power. 2. It speaks terror to his enemies. Terror indeed to those who hate him. The wrath of God is here revealed from heaven against them. 3. It speaks comfort to his own people. The song concludes with words of joy. Whatever judgments are brought upon sinners, it shall go well with the people of God.

Verses 44-47 Here is the solemn delivery of this song to Israel, with a charge to mind all the good words Moses had said unto them. It is not a trifle, but a matter of life and death: mind it, and you are made for ever; neglect it, and you are for ever undone. Oh that men were fully persuaded that religion is their life, even the life of their souls!

Verses 48-52 Now Moses had done his work, why should he desire to live a day longer? God reminds him of the sin of which he had been guilty, for which he was kept from entering Canaan. It is good for the best of men to die repenting the infirmities of which they are conscious. But those may die with comfort and ease, whenever 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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 32

This chapter contains the song mentioned and referred to in the former, the preface to it, De 32:1-3; the character of the divine and illustrious Person it chiefly respects, De 32:4; the ingratitude of the people of the Jews to him, who were a crooked and perverse generation, aggravated by his having bought, made, and established them, De 32:5,6; and which is further aggravated by various instances of divine goodness to them, first in providing and reserving a suitable country for them, at the time of the division of the earth to the sons of men, with the reason of it, De 32:7-9; then by what the Lord did for them in the wilderness, De 32:10-12; after that in the land of Canaan, where they enjoyed plenty of all good things, and in the possession of which they were, when the illustrious Person described appeared among them, De 32:13,14; and then the sin of ingratitude to him, before hinted at, is fully expressed, namely, lightly esteeming the rock of salvation, the Messiah, De 32:15; nor could they stop here, but proceed to more ungodliness, setting up other messiahs and saviours, which were an abomination to the Lord, De 32:16; continuing sacrifices when they should not, which were therefore reckoned no other than sacrifices to demons, and especially the setting up of their new idol, their own righteousness, was highly provoking; and by all this they clearly showed they had forgot the rock, the Saviour, De 32:17,18; wherefore, for the rejection of the Messiah and the, persecution of his followers, they would be abhorred of God, De 32:19; who would show his resentment by the rejection of them, by the calling of the Gentiles, and by bringing the nation of the Romans upon them, De 32:20,21; whereby utter ruin and destruction in all its shapes would be brought upon them, De 32:22-25; and, were it not for the insolence of their adversaries, would be entirely destroyed, being such a foolish and unwise people, which appears by not observing what the enemies of the Messiah themselves allow, that there is no rock like him, whom they despised, De 32:26-31; which enemies are described, and the vengeance reserved for them pointed out, De 32:32-35; and the song closed with promises of grace and mercy to the Lord's people, and wrath and ruin to his and their enemies, on which account all are called upon to rejoice in the latter day, De 32:36-43; and this song being delivered by Moses, the people of Israel are exhorted seriously to attend to it, it being of the utmost importance to them, De 32:44-47; and the chapter is concluded with a relation of Moses being ordered to go up to Mount Nebo and die, with the reason of it, De 32:48-52.