“For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.” (Deuteronomy 4:32-35 ESV)
Moses is talking to the people of Israel as they prepare to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. These people have seen God move in unbelievable ways since their time in Egypt, but they fell away from God time and again. When circumstance appeared to be too difficult, or was sometimes simply unfavorable, trust in the promises of God dwindled quickly. Moses here is again reminding the people of Israel about who their God is, which is something we today still need constant reminders of.
Moses proclaims that God is Creator, and also shows the love God has for His people in allowing them to live in His presence. God led them through wars, brought on plagues for them, parted seas for them, provided food for them, and so much more. In a multitude of ways, God showed the people of Israel His power to save.
And why display such power to an inconsistent and disobedient people? “That you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.” It is for His own glory that God chooses to save Israel. He binds Himself in covenant to a people who turn from Him constantly, because God is love, and so that His name may be lifted high.
Today, we rest in the same merciful God who sent His Son to die for us. We rest in the resurrected Jesus, who has graciously paid the deadly price for our sins. Today, we are still saved by the sovereign work of a gracious God, who chooses us and transforms us for the glory of His beautiful name.
