10.09.2007

this last time it will not

In Deut31, Lord speaks to Moses and tells him his days are numbered and that though the land of M&H looms right over there and the journey is nearing its end, Moses won't be seeing that end with the rest of the flock. Lord also warns him of the flock's future straying away and gives him one final assignment: write them a song.

I like that the Lord has asked Moses to do a number of things out of the ordinary: lift up his arms and keep them up to win a battle, throw a staff against the ground and watch what happens, paint doorposts, strike a rock, follow a cloud, take off his shoes, cross a desert amidst constant whining. So I imagine this final assignment comes off as fairly easy. No physical exertion -- just come up with some rhymes here and there and hum a random medley.

But I also imagine there's some sadness in the penning of this tune. He does know his days are numbered. And he does know that this is probably his last assignment. And he remembers all those times he was used mightily by God. And he remembers how great that felt to be good and faithful. And here he is being good and faithful one more time. One last time. So I imagine this final assignment comes off maybe not so easy after all.

2 comments:

Kevin said...

It is truly amazing how music is such an important part of people. Furthermore, it is amazing to see music mentioned so much in scriptures.

I have written much music over the years. Some of it came across as difficult while at times it was easy. But if God were to ask me to write a song (that being his last request of me) it would probably be the most difficult song I have ever attempted to write.

Reading your post reminded me of how hard it had to be for Moses to realize that he would not reach the end before his time was over.

Wept_over said...

Humans see things in terms of beginnings and ends. And they hope that end is easy to see; obedience is easiest when that end is visible. I can't imagine how difficult it is to see that end that you have worked so hard for so close and never be able to reach it. It's then that it's made clear: you are not to be obedient to an end; you are to be obedient to God.