“The Word Of God Is Life!”

“The Word Of God Is Life!”(Dt.32:44-47).
The time for Moses to join his ancestors was getting close. He composed a song in which he recited its words from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel(Dt.31:30). It is a long song preceeding today’s text(Dt.32:1-43).
When the recitation was over, Moses said to the Israelites, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you – they are your life. By them, you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
A man brought home a life pangolin because he did not know how to kill it. Back home, he heard singing nearby. He went and met the group. He asked in song, “What do you do to kill a pangolin?” In the chorus somebody said, “Put the pangolin in 90 degrees hot water.” He went home and did just that.
One way by which history and religion survived through generations was by songs.
Oral traditions preserved and transmitted history, religion, and moral values through songs and stories. Songs were not just idle words for entertainment. Songs contained teachings meant to enhance life if its contents were adhered to.
Today we value script and printvover orality. But it has its shortcomings. Two friends were together when they heard the news about the invention of the printing press. One of them exclaimed with joy, “O, now everything will be remembered.” His friend said, “No, everything will be forgotten!” His friend wordered why. He told his friend, “Everything will be written down and forgotten in the hearts.”
What is constantly recited sticks in the heart. We look forward to the day of the fulfilment of Jeremiah’s prophecy when the Bible will become obsolete. When that time comes, no man will teach the other to know the LORD because the law will be written in every heart.
Moses told the people that the words of the song “are not just idle words for you – they are your life…”
This takes us back to his earlier words, “…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land…”(Dt.30:19-20).
The law, the LORD, and life are bound together. “Life” in this context concerns all that makes life rich, full, and productive; just as God created it to be. This is reiterated by Jesus as his reason for coming: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”(Jn.10:10).
My friend, the word of God is life both in this world and in the world beyond this world. Let us make conscious efforts to make it work for us in our daily walks of faith.
Prayer of the day and week: Holy Spirit, instil in us daily the willingness to let the word of God be our life. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
09/02/2026.