_MOSES, SHORTLY TO DIE, DELIVERS TO THE PRIESTS A COPY OF THE LAW WHICH HE HAD WRITTEN, TO BE PLACED IN THE ARK, AND TO BE READ EVERY SEVENTH YEAR: A CHARGE IS GIVEN TO JOSHUA: GOD PREDICTS THE REBELLION OF THE PEOPLE._ _Before Christ 1451._... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER_ 1. _MOSES WENT AND SPAKE THESE WORDS_— Soon after Moses had finished the foregoing discourses, he gave a new summons to the Israelites, at least to the chief heads of them, to acquaint them that the time both of his government and life was now very short: and though, through the special provid... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 7. _AND MOSES CALLED UNTO JOSHUA,_ &C.— It is in vain, says Mr. Saurin, to inquire why none of the children of Moses succeeded him in his government. St. Augustin thinks it was because their mother was a Midianite. But these kinds of questions are not within human reach. God is at liberty in... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 9. _AND MOSES WROTE THIS LAW_— i.e. says Houbigant, what he had before addressed to the people; not the whole Pentateuch, which, he says, is never understood by the word _law_ in the books of Moses. As, however, in other parts of Scripture, the word _is_ so understood, many interpreters think... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 10. _IN THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES_— This was the most proper season that could be chosen for the purpose; when, having gathered in all the fruits of the earth, they had abundant leisure to attend to the reading of the law; and being at the end of every seventh year, when men's minds were free... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 16. _THOU SHALT SLEEP WITH THY FATHERS_— _Sleep,_ says Jameson, is a common word for _death;_ and, to those who believe a resurrection, has a peculiar propriety, to put them in mind that death should not have dominion over them for ever; but that in the morning of the resurrection they shall... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 19. _NOW, THEREFORE, WRITE YE THIS SONG_— The divine composition which follows in the next chapter has ever been admired as a master-piece; and no wonder, when we consider who was its author. It has always been thought the most profitable method of instructing people, and communicating things... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 26. _TAKE THIS BOOK OF THE LAW, AND PUT IT IN THE SIDE OF THE ARK_— Or, _by the side of the ark;_ as the same word is rendered, 1 Samuel 6:8 for it does not appear that it was laid up within the ark, it being expressly said, there was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, 1 Kings 8... [ Continue Reading ]