What role does Moses play in delivering God's law, according to Deuteronomy 33:4? Setting the Scene: Deuteronomy 33:4 “Moses commanded us a law, as an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.” Key Observations - “Moses commanded” – Moses acts with divine authority, passing on what God revealed. - “a law” – not a human code, but God’s authoritative Torah. - “as an inheritance” – the law is Israel’s permanent treasure, binding every generation. - “assembly of Jacob” – the whole covenant community is included; no one is left out. Moses’ Role in Delivering God’s Law 1. Mouthpiece of God • Exodus 19:3-7 shows Moses ascending Sinai to receive God’s words, then descending to proclaim them. • He does not originate the law; he relays it exactly as received (Deuteronomy 5:31-33). 2. Covenant Mediator • Galatians 3:19 calls the law “ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.” Moses stands between the holy God and sinful people, making the covenant possible. • Exodus 32:30-32 highlights Moses interceding after the golden calf, preserving the covenant relationship. 3. Teacher and Commander • Deuteronomy 4:1-2: Moses urges Israel to “listen to the statutes and ordinances.” • He organizes the law into sermons (Deuteronomy) and instructs the Levites to read it publicly every seven years (Deuteronomy 31:9-13). 4. Guardian of the Heritage • By calling the law an “inheritance,” Moses ensures it will outlive him (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). • Psalm 103:7: “He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel.” Moses secures the memory of God’s acts and commands. Why This Matters - Authority: Because Moses faithfully transmitted God’s word, the law carries the full weight of divine command (John 1:17). - Permanence: The inheritance language signals that God’s moral standards are not temporary or negotiable (Psalm 119:44). - Responsibility: Each generation is entrusted to learn, obey, and pass on this heritage (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Takeaway for Today Just as ancient Israel received the law through Moses, believers today receive God’s written Word as a treasured inheritance. Moses models wholehearted obedience in delivering that Word unchanged, urging us to read, cherish, and live by the Scriptures with the same reverence. |
    |