FIRST DISCOURSE (DEUTERONOMY 1:14 TO DEUTERONOMY 4:43) The long sojourn in the wilderness is now drawing to a close. The Israelites are encamped in the Plains of Moab within sight of the Promised Land. Moses, feeling that his death is approaching, delivers his final charges to the people. In the fi... [ Continue Reading ]
EXHORTATIONS TO OBEDIENCE This chapter contains the practical part of the discourse. Having briefly rehearsed the experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness up to the present point, Moses closes with an eloquent appeal not to forget what they had seen and learned, but to keep the commandments... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF BAAL-PEOR] see Numbers 25:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
See Exodus 19:20; Exodus 24:3. At Mt. Sinai the people entered into a national covenant with Jehovah their Redeemer, promising to keep the Law delivered unto them there.... [ Continue Reading ]
The foundation of true religion and morals is a right conception of the nature of God. In the first and second commandments of the Decalogue Israel had been taught the truths of the unity and spirituality of God. They are specially exhorted here to keep themselves from idolatry. 16-18. This prohibi... [ Continue Reading ]
There may be allusion here to the worship of the Persians and Chaldeans. The Israelites fell into this form of idolatry: see e.g. 2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Deuteronomy 9:3; Hebrews 12:29. On the nature of the divine jealousy see on Exodus 20:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
REMAINED LONG IN THE LAND] lit. 'slumbered in the land.' The word expresses not only long continuance but a loss of vigour, a gradual weakening of first impressions due to unbroken peace and prosperity. Those who have no changes are apt to forget God (Psalms 55:19). Prosperity sometimes acts like a... [ Continue Reading ]
Bodily subjection to their heathen conquerors would lead to spiritual bondage. They would be 'given over to a reprobate mind': see Romans 1:24. 29-31. These vv. indicate the nature of true repentance. It is not merely sorrow for past sins and their consequences, but a seeking God with all the heart... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THEY CAME FORTH] RV 'when they came forth.' It was really in the fortieth year of the exodus.... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Deuteronomy 1:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON MOUNT SION, see on Deuteronomy 3:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPRINGS OF PISGAH] RV 'slopes of Pisgah': see on Deuteronomy 3:17.... [ Continue Reading ]