Have you ever stood out in the rain as if to soak it all in? Perhaps the rain felt violent and drove you inside to find shelter? The same rain can have differing results depending on the land which receives it.

Moses had felt all kinds of rain and understood its great blessings and power. Given the unenviable task of shepherding Israel, he served God faithfully for forty years.

Plucked from obscurity, this former prince turned sheep herder reluctantly, then wholeheartedly followed the voice of Jehovah. He sacrificed his pride and was willing to sacrifice his life for the people who often vexed him.

When first called, Moses demurred that he was an ineffective communicator. “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue,” he argued (Exodus 4:10 NET). His assessment would prove to be incorrect. While Aaron did indeed serve as his brother’s spokesman, Moses proved to be a very forceful orator.

As his service to God, and thus his life, drew to a conclusion, Moses recited the words of a song “from start to finish in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel” (Deuteronomy 31:30).

This song, directed to a rebellious and stubborn people (Deuteronomy 31:27), begins with a plea for the heavens and the earth to hear the words of Moses’ mouth.

“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My teaching will drop like the rain, my sayings will drip like the dew, as rain drops upon the grass, and showers upon new growth. For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; you must acknowledge the greatness of our God. As for the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. He is a reliable God who is never unjust, he is fair and upright” (Deuteronomy 32:1-4).

I am struck by the beauty of this introduction. This humble and meek man, calls heaven and earth to hear his eloquent defense of Jehovah — the Rock — and his bold accusations against his foolish and unwise people.

His words would begin gently, dripping like the dew. Then as light rain falling upon the grass grows steadily into showers, so would his words be to those who heard.

Rain can sweep away the rebellious in judgment, as God did with the flood. But rain can also nourish and refresh.

“For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God” (Hebrews 6:7).

It behooves us to soak up the rain of God’s word so that we might yield useful vegetation for his kingdom. That was Moses’ desire for his people, and the motivation for his final psalm.

Some speak to win, desiring to “own” or to “destroy.” Some speak to cut, desiring to belittle and demean. Moses spoke to nourish. He spoke directly, rebuking them for their “sin” (Deuteronomy 32:5). Knowing what would happen to them (see Deuteronomy 31:16), he warned them against unfaithfulness. He did it not to win an argument, or to bully them. Rather, he spoke as he did so that they might live (Deuteronomy 32:47).

As rain drops upon the grass, may our words be motivated by a desire for the spiritual health of our hearers. May the words we choose glorify our Creator, and help others to be refreshed in him.