The Bible Story Vol 2_w.pdf - Herbert W. Armstrong

As SOON
CHAPTER FIFTY
JOSHUA NOW LEADS ISRAEL
as Moses and Joshua left the tabernacle, where God had
instructed th em concerni ng things to come, Moses hurried to his tent. He
was to write down the matters that were to be made into a song to tea ch
to Isra el. (Deuteronomy 31:22.)
The Way to Happiness
Later, Moses went before the people to give them the verses that
were to become a sort of national anthem to remind the Israelites of their
faults, their obligations and the matters that would come up in th e
future. The verses mentioned God's perfect justice, mercy and great
works, and showed how sinful Israel had become in spite of God's wonderful
ways. The people were reminded of how patiently God had dealt
with them during their travels in the desert, and of the terrible warnings
that had repeatedly been given th em. The verses pointed out that if Israel
were wise enough to obey, all enemies would be overcome, but that lack of
wisdom would result in great calamity for Israel. It was shown that Israel
would have great reas on to rejoice in the far future, but only afte r the
people would have undergone a time of terrible tribulation and finally
would have repented. (Deuteronomy 32:1-43.)
"Don't do what is right in your own eyes," Moses told the people.
"Your conscienc e will deceive you. Let it be your ambi tion, above all
th ings, to obser ve God's laws and tea ch your children to do the same. If
you fail in this, your lives will become miserable and come to an un tim ely
end. On the other hand, obedience will mean long, happy lives with
prosperity, and wonderful futures for your children!" (Deuteronomy 12:8;
6:1-12; 4:30-31; 11:8-9; 31:6.)
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