VI. FIRST PORTION OF THE COMMENTARY ON THE LAW (Deuteronomy 6-11). (1) THESE ARE THE COMMANDMENTS, THE STATUTES, AND THE JUDGMENTS, WHICH THE LORD... COMMANDED... THAT YE MIGHT DO THEM IN THE LAND. — After the Decalogue itself has been recapitulated, Moses proceeds to apply its principles to the con... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE MAY INCREASE MIGHTILY... IN THE LAND. — The position of Israel in the land, and their continuance therein, depended entirely on their fulfilment of the purpose for which they were brought there — the observance of the Law of Jehovah, as it applied to their peculiar situation.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR, O ISRAEL... — These two verses are styled by our Lord “the first and great commandment” in the Law. The first words of the Talmud concern the hours when this form should be recited in daily morning or evening prayer — “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah” The unity of Jehovah, as op... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT. — The word “heart” has been taken both as “thought” and “affection.” Hence, perhaps, the _four_ terms, “_heart, mind, soul,_ and _strength,”_ which we find in St. Mark 12:30. Bashi says upon the expression “all thy heart” — “with b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THOU SHALT TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY. — The same Jewish commentator remarks that there should be no hesitation in answering anything that a man might ask. Had this system of education been carried on from the first, the history of Israel would hare been very different from what it is.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THOU SHALT BIND THEM... — From this precept the Jews derive the use of the Tephillin, the portions of the Law which they bind upon the head or arm when about to pray.... [ Continue Reading ]
(10-13) The song of Moses supplies a prophetic comment upon this in Deuteronomy 32:15 : “Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked... then he forsook God.” “In all time _of our wealth,_ good Lord, deliver us.”... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT FEAR THE LORD THY GOD, AND SERVE HIM. — Literally, _Jehovah thy God thou shalt fear, and him shalt thou serve: i.e.,_ Him only, as translated by the LXX., and cited by our Lord in His temptation. It is remarkable that all His answers to the tempter were taken not only from Deuteronomy, _b... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH. — Literally, _of the ground._ Absolute extermination is threatened by the fire of His jealousy.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD. — In the LXX., “Thou shalt not tempt,” and so where our Lord used it against the tempter (Matthew 4 and Luke 4). AS YE TEMPTED HIM IN MASSAH. — How did they tempt Him in Massah? By raising the unbelieving question, “Is the Lord among us, or not?” (Exodus 17:7).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT THOU MAYEST GO IN AND POSSESS. — This should be taken with what follows, “Possess,” so as “to cast out all thine enemies from before thee” (Deuteronomy 6:19). There was no question now whether Israel should pass the Jordan; but how far the conquest of Canaan would be completed, or within wh... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT MEAN THE TESTIMONIES, AND THE STATUTES, AND THE JUDGMENTS. — These three words appear for the first time together in the introduction to this discourse (Deuteronomy 4:45). The Law, or _Torah,_ includes _charges,_ and _institutions,_ and _requirements._ The Decalogue itself is primarily the _Tor... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD BROUGHT US OUT OF EGYPT. — The simple explanation of the obligations of the Law given in these verses is based upon the message of Jehovah to Israel from Sinai. in Exodus 19:3 : “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how Ì bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. No... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL BE OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. — In one Targum, “It shall be _merit_ to us,” or more fully, in the other, “It shall be merit laid up for us against the world to come.” In the LXX., “It shall be alms to us.” This conjunction of ideas will help to explain why in Matthew 6:1 “alms” and “righteousne... [ Continue Reading ]