The Rock—his work is perfect;
all his ways are just.
A faithful God, without bias,
he is righteous and true.
Deuteronomy 32:4
Observation: As Moses pronounces his song to Israel, he uses the term "Rock" many times as a reference to the Lord. Yes, he uses other names for the Lord too, including Yahweh and God (likely various words like Adonai), however the term Rock - capitalized - is used five times, and is also lowercased in quotes ('rock') twice when referring to false gods. Therefore, Moses is very intentionally introducing the word "Rock" as a description of, if not an outright name for, the Lord. The term is introduced in verse 4 as a name for the Lord. Later, the term Rock is used to state that ... the people rejected salvation, they ignored their creator, and God is so strong that the only way Israel could ever be defeated is by God's own choice.
In looking at the Hebrew word for 'rock' (eben) when written in Hebrew, it is comprised of three characters. The first is also the first letter of their alphabet, which became commonly used as the symbol for God when the Jews would not write out the full name. The second two characters together, when alone, are the spelling of the word 'son'. Thus, there is a way of looking at the word "rock" to represent "God the father and his son." (And yes, had to look all this up of course.)
Jesus will pick up this same theme. Jesus refers to himself as Messiah as the rock or cornerstone that will cause others to stumble, and that truth as the rock upon which his church will be built. He compares faith in him as Messiah to the bedrock upon which to build one's life.
In all of this, in Moses' very last contribution to everyone's understanding of the Lord, he has introduced as complex concept. The Lord is the Rock, comprised as both the father and creator of the universe, and the son of God. That Rock is contained in and demonstrated through his works, which are perfect, just, righteous, and true. The Rock is strong and cannot be broken, and it is only by the Lord's own will that anything on earth can happen.
Application: My college major is English Literature, and thus I understand how someone can study the intricacies of written works as a full-time vocation. I can even see studying one author's work, or a single era of collected works. However, it is the depth and complexity of the bible that is so unrivaled that millions of people can study this one book for thousands of years. And this is because God was always so amazing in his love for us, and his desire that we have faith in Jesus as a path to redemption, that he created all the signposts for us to follow millennia before Jesus even arrived on earth.
Jesus is the Messiah. This is the truth, and it is the redemptive gift of the Lord, provided out of his love and mercy and justice. And this is the Rock upon which I place my life.
Prayer: Lord, again I say it, thank you for your word, and the power found by your word and your teaching. It is by your word that I know you and know the truth about life, about Jesus, and about you. You are my hope, my rock, and my Lord. Amen.
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