Favor · the best way to learn the Bible
Deuteronomy 32 Bible study: The Rock
The song Moses taught Israel names God "The Rock" (32:4), and it is a song the New Testament keeps quoting. Its last call, "Rejoice, you nations, with his people" (32:43), is one of the scriptures Paul gives for why Christ became a servant: "that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy" (Romans 15:9).
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.
First week free, then $10 a month per person
“The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.”
Try it · Did you catch it?
“The words "Vengeance is mine" are in the song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32.”
Is that in Deuteronomy 32, or not? Make your call.
What's really going on
A song written to be a witness
In the chapter before, the LORD told Moses, "Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel" (31:19). It was made to last: "it will not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants" (31:21). Moses had said he would "call heaven and earth to witness against them" (31:28), and the song opens that way: "Give ear, you heavens, and I will speak. Let the earth hear the words of my mouth" (32:1). Then he says how his words will come: "My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will condense as the dew" (32:2). The song tells Israel's story: what the LORD did for them (32:7-14), how they turned away (32:15-18), what he would do (32:19-35), and how he would still have compassion (32:36-43). At the end, "Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun" (32:44).
Where it leads to Jesus
Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people
Deuteronomy 32:43leads toRomans 15:10
The song ends, "Rejoice, you nations, with his people" (32:43). Paul writes, "Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy" (Romans 15:8-9), and among the scriptures he gives for it is this line: "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people" (Romans 15:10). The WEB has "nations" in Deuteronomy and "Gentiles" in Romans. Paul gives Moses' last line as scripture for what Christ's service brings about: the Gentiles glorifying God with his people.
Honest questions
Questions people ask about Deuteronomy 32
That was a taste
The rest of Deuteronomy 32 is waiting in Favor
- The Rock
- Found, kept, carried
- When their power is gone
- Jeshurun grew fat
- A song the New Testament keeps quoting
- Your life, and a mountain to climb
- 16 questions as you read
- 12 more Hebrew words
- A short check at the end
- Your notes, saved as you go
Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Deuteronomy 32 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.
The Hebrew word behind it
צוּרtsursay TSOOR
Brown-Driver-Briggs: "rock, cliff". Strong's: "generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge". It is the rock Moses struck at Horeb (Exodus 17:6). In this song it becomes a name for God: "The Rock: his work is perfect" (32:4). It comes eight times in the chapter, nine in Deuteronomy. Five are the LORD: "The Rock" (32:4), "the Rock of his salvation" (32:15), "the Rock who became your father" (32:18), "their Rock" (32:30), "our Rock" (32:31). Two are other gods: "their rock" (32:31) and "the rock in which they took refuge" (32:37). One is stone: "the flinty rock" (32:13). The "rock" earlier in 32:13, "honey out of the rock", is a different word, sela (H5553).
For your group
Deuteronomy 32 Bible study questions
- 1"But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked" (32:15). Is it easier for you to forget God in hard times or in good times? Why do you think that is?
- 2"For their rock is not as our Rock" (32:31). What else do people lean on as their rock? What is one thing you've leaned on that let you down?
- 3Moses said God's words were "no vain thing for you, because it is your life" (32:47). What would change this week if you treated them that way?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Deuteronomy 32 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
Start a Bible studyThe best way to learn the Bible
Favor opens up every chapter as you read.
Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.
Every chapter explains itself
As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.
The Hebrew and Greek behind it
Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.
Every page leads to Jesus
Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.
Better together
Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.
- 1
Start your free week
Sign up in a minute with your email.
- 2
Read a few minutes a day
Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.
- 3
Bring your people, if you like
Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.
First week free, then $10 a month per person
Questions
What is Favor?
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
How much does it cost?
Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.
Can I read Deuteronomy 32 straight away?
Favor takes the Bible as one story, in order, so you'll reach Deuteronomy 32 with everything that leads up to it in view. Start from Genesis, or meet Jesus first in the Gospels. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.
Do I need a group?
No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.
I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?
Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.
Which Bible does Favor use?
The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.
Is Favor tied to a church?
No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
Start with Deuteronomy 32
The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.
There's a seat for you at the table.
Start your free weekFirst week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home