Deuteronomy 32:39

“See now that I myself am He!

There is no god besides Me.

I put to death and I bring to life,

I have wounded and I will heal,

and no one can deliver out of My hand!”

The Jews, from the time that they became a nation, turned aside from the living God to the worship of idols; on which account, God, in righteous indignation, refused them, on some occasions, the aid which he alone could bestow; and referred them to their idols, in whom they trusted, that they might obtain from them those things of which they stood in need, “Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, which ate the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink-offerings? Let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.”

But to us is the same reproach most justly due; for though we do not, like them, bow down to sticks and stones, we are far from realizing in our minds the exclusive agency of Jehovah. To us, therefore, no less than to them, may be addressed the solemn admonition before us, “See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand!”

Let me now entreat your attention to,

I. God’s own description of his own character.

Agreeably to what is here spoken, we see, that,

1. His agency is universal.

There is nothing done, but he is the doer of it.

Isaiah 45:5-7, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things!”

Amos 3:6, “When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?”

There is nothing so great, or so small, but it must be traced to God as its proper source and author, even to the falling of a sparrow, or the falling of a hair from our heads! Matthew 10:29-30. And God is desirous that this should be known and duly considered by us. To reveal this to his ancient people, was one great reason for his marvelous interpositions for them, Deuteronomy 4:34-35, and of the no less marvelous forbearance which he exercised towards them, verse 27. And we, also, must bear in mind, that “whether he kills or makes alive, whether he wounds or heals—it is He alone that does it, and there is no god with him.”

2. His decrees are sovereign.

The whole Scripture bears testimony that “God works all things after the counsel of his own will.”

He does so in relation to all temporal matters, “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor! 1 Samuel 2:6-8.”

In relation to spiritual matters, also, he exercises no less a sovereign control, “Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden! Romans 9:18.” This was viewed by Paul in so important a light, that when he had once touched upon it, he did not know how to relinquish the subject, but insisted on it with every diversity of expression that language could furnish—and yet with such repetitions as appeared almost to be endless.

Having said that God had blessed us with all spiritual blessings, he traces the gift to this as its true source, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory! Ephesians 1:3-14”

We have often read this passage, but with so little care, as scarcely to get a glimpse of its true import; but, the more minutely and attentively we consider it—the more shall we see the amazing importance of the subject contained in it, and of the character of God as a mighty Sovereign, who does what he will, and “gives no account to us of any of his matters! Job 33:13.”

3. His power is irresistible.

Forcible is that appeal of Elihu, “When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation or a man only Job 34:29.” “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy! James 4:12.”

Hear Jehovah’s own declaration respecting this, “I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” Isaiah 43:11; Isaiah 43:13.”

Does he plan vengeance? This is his own awful asseveration, in the words immediately following my text, “I lift my hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever, when I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood, while my sword devours flesh: the blood of the slain and the captives, the heads of the enemy leaders, Deuteronomy 32:40-42”

On the other hand, does he contemplate the exercise of mercy? This is the assurance that he gives his people, “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. “See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. But you will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel! Isaiah 41:13-16.”

In a word, He is a Potter, and we are the clay; and whether he is pleased to make or mar the vessel—none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What are You doing? Jeremiah 18:3-6 with Romans 9:20-21.

Let us now proceed to notice,

II. His solemn call to consider his majestic character.

“See now,” says he, “that this is my unquestionable, and unchangeable character;” and you are called to contemplate it:

1. That you may give him the glory of all that you have received.

My brethren, God is a holy and a jealous God, “his very name is Jealous, Exodus 34:14;” and “his glory he will not give to another, Isaiah 42:8.” How fearfully he will resent any interference with him in this respect, may be seen in the case of Herod, who, when he was applauded for his eloquence, did not give God the glory; and God, in righteous displeasure, caused him to be “eaten up of worms, until he died! Acts 12:21-23.”

But more especially is God jealous in relation to spiritual blessings, which must be ascribed to him alone. Indeed, he has so constituted the whole work of man’s salvation, that no particle of honor should be assumed by man—but all glory should be given to him, as “the author and the finisher of our faith.” “He has treasured up for us everything in Christ Jesus, Colossians 1:19;” and ordained, that we should “receive everything out of his fullness, John 1:16,” looking to him as our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our complete redemption, “that no flesh should glory in his presence, but that all should glory in him alone! 1 Corinthians 1:29-31.”

Let this lesson, then, be learned by us, that God may receive from us all the glory of all that we possess; since “if we differ from others in any respect, it is he who has made us to differ; and we possess nothing which we have not gratuitously received from him, 1 Corinthians 4:7.”

2. That you may depend on him for all that you ever hope to receive.

Here, also, God asserts his claim to our entire dependence, “Cursed be the man who trusts in man, and who makes flesh his arm; and whose heart departs from the Lord his God Jeremiah 17:5-8.” Especially in reference to everything that concerns our salvation, does God require our undivided trust, “Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth! for I am God; and there is none else, Isaiah 45:22.” Every man, whatever he may possess, must rely on Christ alone, saying, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength. In the Lord alone shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory Isaiah 45:24-25.” To this has God a very especial respect in the words of my text.

If we look to the creature, or place any dependence on an arm of flesh, we must take the consequences verse 37, 38, 39. As to the idols on which the Jews were disposed to place their confidence, God says to them, “You are of nothing, and your work of nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you! Isaiah 41:23-24.” So must it be said of everything on which we are accustomed to rely, “It is a broken reed, which will only pierce the hand that rests on it! 2 Kings 18:21.” Trust then, in the Lord, and in him alone; yes, “trust in him forever; for with the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength! Isaiah 26:4.”

This subject, methinks, speaks,

1. Comfort to the true Christian.

Respecting this glorious Being who is here described, it is your privilege to say that “he is your God.” In truth, whatever you want, he describes himself as a God of that very thing, of “love,” of “mercy,” of “peace,” of “strength,” of “comfort,” of “all grace;” and in relation to that very thing will he “be a God unto you! Hebrews 8:10.” Seek him, then, in Christ Jesus; and glory in him as “your God and portion forever!”

2. Terror to those who have any other god.

Who is that God that shall save you in the hour of your extremity? Where will you flee for support in the day of judgment? Indeed, indeed, there is no refuge for you, but in Christ; nor “any other name given under Heaven but his, whereby you can be saved! Acts 4:12.”

Charles Simeon (1759-1836)