Deuteronomy 4:28

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, and obedience to His voice. Such repentance procures the divine mercy, for God does not forget His part of the covenant, however His people forget theirs. 'The gifts and calling of God are without repentance,' i.e. they are irrevocable: see Romans 11:29; Hebrews 6:17.

32-38. These vv. state the ground of Jehovah's choice of Israel. It is purely an election of grace and love. Hence Israel ought to cleave to Him. No other nation has been so highly favoured by Jehovah. 38. The Israelites did not take possession of the land of their enemies by their own might. Jehovah went before them into battle: cp. Deuteronomy 8:17; Deuteronomy 8:18.

41-43. The appendix to the First Discourse.

On the Cities of Refuge see Numbers 35:9 and notes there, and cp. also Deuteronomy 19 Joshua 20:1. The cities appointed here are those E. of the Jordan. In Deuteronomy 19 those in Canaan are referred to. On the phrase on this side Jordan see on Deuteronomy 1:1. Bezer was the southernmost of the three. It is mentioned on the Moabite Stone as having being rebuilt by Mesha: see on Numbers 21:29. Its site has not been identified. It is probably the same as the Bozrah mentioned in Jeremiah 48:24. Ramoth in Gilead played an important part in the wars between the kings of Damascus Israel. It was the scene of the death of Ahab (1 Kings 22) and the anointing of Jehu (2 Kings 9). Golan gave its name to the district E. of the Sea of Galilee, still known as the Jaulan. The precise locality of the city is unknown.

Second Discourse (Deuteronomy 4:44; Deuteronomy 28)

This is the longest of the three discourses, and fills over twenty-five Chapter s The opening vv (Deuteronomy 4:44) are in the form of an introduction: Deuteronomy 5-11 are mainly hortatory: the following Chapter s (12-28), which form the nucleus of the book of Deuteronomy, are taken up with a special code of laws.