_A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451._ A promise of Canaan, Deuteronomy 9:1. A caution not to ascribe this to their own merit, Deuteronomy 9:4. A rehearsal of their various rebellions, Deuteronomy 9:7; and of Moses's intercession for them, Deuteronomy 9:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
This seems to be a new discourse, delivered at some distance of time from the former, probably on the next sabbath day. _This day_ That is, _shortly_, within a little time, the word _day_ being often put for _time. To possess nations_ That is, the land of those nations. _Mightier than thyself_ This... [ Continue Reading ]
_As a consuming fire_ Before whom thine enemies shall be as easily consumed as stubble before the flames. _So shalt thou drive them out quickly_ Not the whole seven nations, whom he said (Deuteronomy 7:22,) God would drive out by little and little, but so many as to make a settlement for them in Can... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not for thy righteousness_ Neither for thy upright heart nor holy life, the two things which God, above all others, regards. Here, therefore, all merit in them is excluded: and they are given to know that, although the Canaanites were expelled for their national wickedness, they were not settled in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stiff-necked_ Rebellious and perverse, and so destitute of all pretence to righteousness. And thus our gaining possession of the heavenly Canaan must be ascribed to God's power and grace, and not to our own might or merit. In him we must glory, and not in ourselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also in Horeb ye provoked the Lord_ Rather, _even in Horeb;_ for there is an emphasis in this. Even when your miraculous deliverance out of Egypt was fresh in your memories; when God had but newly manifested himself to you, and delivered you the law in so stupendous and awful a manner, and with suc... [ Continue Reading ]
_With the finger of God_ Immediately and miraculously, which was done not only to procure the greater reverence to the law, but also to signify that it is the work of God alone to write this law upon the table of men's hearts. _In the day of the assembly_ That is, when the people were gathered by Go... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let me alone_ Stop me not by thy intercession: desist from all prayer and pleading in their behalf.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I brake them before your eyes_ Not by an unbridled passion, but it zeal for God's honour, and by the direction of God's Spirit; to signify to the people that the covenant between God and them, contained in those tables, was broken, and that they were now cast out of God's favour, and could expect n... [ Continue Reading ]
_I cast the dust thereof into the brook_ That there might be no monument nor remembrance of the calf left.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I fell down_ In a way of humiliation and supplication, on your behalf. _Forty days_ The same forty that were mentioned Deuteronomy 9:18, as appears by comparing this with the account given in Exodus, where this history is more fully related, and where this is related to have been done twice only. S... [ Continue Reading ]
_Redeemed through thy greatness_ The greatness of thy power and goodness, which appeared most eminently in that work. _Remember thy servants Abraham_, &c. That is, thy promise made and sworn to them. _They are thy people_ Whom thou hast chosen to thyself out of all mankind.... [ Continue Reading ]