29-31 “If they (the pagan nations) were wise, they would understand this; they would  discern their latter end! How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock  had sold them, and the Lord had given them up? For their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves. 32-33 For their vine  comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison; their clusters are bitter; their wine is the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps.”

34-36 “‘Is not this laid up in store with me, sealed up in my treasuries? Vengeance is mine, and recompense for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ For the Lord will vindicate (judge) his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free. 37-38 Then he will say, ‘Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge, who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them rise up and help you; let them be your protection!'”

39 “‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me! I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand. 40-42 For I lift up my hand to heaven and swear 'As I live for ever', if I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgement, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh - with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the long-haired heads of the enemy.’ 43 Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people's land.” Deuteronomy 32:29-43 (English Standard Version)

The verse just before today's reading told us that one reason why God spared Israel from total destruction was because their enemies would've boasted it was their own strength and power that gave them victory. God answers that foolish boast in vs 29-31. He describes the pagan nations as being like Sodom and Gomorrah, cities and nations God overthrew in judgement. (vs 32-33) Because those verses refer to Israel's enemies, I think vs 34-36 speak of how God would repay those enemies when He saw how absolutely helpless Israel had become. But can you see how vs 37-38 could apply to many of the Israelites also?

God was speaking out against ALL who trust in worthless idols. Many Israelites had done that in the years leading up to the exile. The problem with putting our hopes and trust in the wrong places, whether idols or riches, is that those things can't protect us in the day of God's judgement. So what is the awesome truth about God in vs 39 that all men and women should take to heart?

He is the only true God there is, and in His hands are life and death. The apostle Paul joyfully said of Christians 'If God is for us – who can be against us!' (Romans 8:31) But the opposite is also true for God's enemies. If God is against them, no-one will be able to rescue them from His judgement. Verses 40-42 describe how awful that judgement will be! But what was the triumphant hope for God's people in vs 43?

We see that God's people have the final victory. Just as Israel was ultimately rescued out of Babylon and Babylon was destroyed, so Christians will ultimately be rescued out of the struggles and hard times they faced in the world. Those who hated God and His people will face His wrath. In Revelation 6 we read of an angel opening the fifth seal of a scroll, and the apostle John saw the souls of people who'd been killed for the word of God. They cried out to God, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long  before you will judge and  avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” And when the sixth seal was opened we read of cataclysmic events and God's enemies in the world crying out to the mountains and rocks to hide them from the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, saying: “The great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:9-17) Oh may we be found among those who God has made alive through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!