Deuteronomy 31-34  The ministry of Moses was finished.. He commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into the  Promised land.  He spoke blessings over the tribes. And he taught them a new song.  A sad song.. for the Lord revealed to Moses that the people of Israel would turn away from serving Him and would receive the curses that He had warned them of ...instead of the blessings they could have had. 

Moses' song proclaimed the greatness of God.. " Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect.  For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He." (3-4)  He wanted them to learn this song and teach it to every generation so that they would remember Who God is. "Is not He your Father who has bought you? He has made you and established you."(v6) .  The Lord considered Israel His "portion" .. His possession.. His inheritance.  God Himself took a portion of the whole earth and of all the people and proclaimed them as His own. " He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the pupil of His eye." ( v10) He carried them out of Egypt.. He fed them and gave them water to drink. They had every reason to trust Him and to obey His word.  

. But.. He also knew what would happen when they became prideful, they would forsake Him. Knowing that .. Moses went up to Mount Nebo, at the Lord's command.. He looked over the land that God was giving the people of Israel. And there, he died. "So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, and He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Bethpeor; but no man knows his burial place to this day." 

"There is none like the God of Jeshurun, 

Who rides the heavens to your help, 

And through the skies in His majesty.

The eternal God is a dwelling place,

And underneath are the everlasting arms; " (33:26-27a) 

These final words of Moses are words we can cling to.. God is our eternal dwelling place. He is our help and our salvation. With the song of Moses we also sing praises to the Father that bought us.. for we are not our own, but purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ our Savior. 

You are great O Lord our God. You are perfect and just.  You are faithful and righteous. You are our God and we proclaim Your greatness to all the earth.  May the Name of the Lord be exalted we pray,Amen.