It was not the vast increase of the people in numbers that distressed Moses, rather was this to him a matter of rejoicing, and his desire was that their increase might become still greater, even a thousandfold. But he felt his own inability, as leader, ruler, and judge, alone to cope with so vast a multitude. read more
This appointment of the “captains” (compare Exodus 18:21 ff) must not be confounded with that of the elders in Numbers 11:16 ff. The former would number 78,600; the latter were 70 only.A comparison between this passage and that in Exodus makes it obvious that Moses is only touching on certain parts of the whole history, without regard to order of time, but with a special purpose. This important arrangement for the good government of the people took place before they left Horeb to march direct... read more
1:1-4:43 HISTORICAL INTRODUCTIONIn style similar to that of ancient treaty documents, Deuteronomy opens by recounting all that Yahweh, Israel’s covenant God, has done for his people. It reminds them of his gracious acts on their behalf and calls from them a fitting response of covenant loyalty. The section summarizes events recorded in greater detail in Numbers 10:11-32:42.From Sinai to Kadesh (1:1-46)It was only eleven days’ journey from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, and about the same from... read more
multiplied. Compare Deuteronomy 10:22 . read more
as = according as. promised. See Genesis 12:2 ; Genesis 22:17 , &c. read more
Ver. 9-11. And I spake unto you— That is, to your fathers, as being alive at the time here referred to. We may observe here, once for all, that Moses, throughout this book, frequently speaks of the fathers of this generation as if they were now living; which is the common style of all writers who are used to speak of a people or commonwealth as one and the same person still subsisting through several ages. They must be extremely dull who can be insensible to the affecting energy of the fine... read more
10. ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude—This was neither an Oriental hyperbole nor a mere empty boast. Abraham was told (Genesis 15:5; Genesis 15:6) to look to the stars, and though they "appear" innumerable, yet those seen by the naked eye amount, in reality, to no more than three thousand ten in both hemispheres. The Israelites already far exceeded that number, being at the last census above six hundred thousand [Genesis 15:6- :]. It was a seasonable memento, calculated to... read more
9-18. I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone—a little before their arrival in Horeb. Moses addresses that new generation as the representatives of their fathers, in whose sight and hearing all the transactions he recounts took place. A reference is here made to the suggestion of Jethro (Exodus 18:18). In noticing his practical adoption of a plan by which the administration of justice was committed to a select number of subordinate officers, Moses, by a... read more
Moses called Mt. Sinai "Horeb" almost exclusively in this book, ". . . in keeping with the rhetorical style of the book." [Note: C. F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: Pentateuch, 3:284.] The events in this section of verses took place before Israel left Horeb. The references to "the river Euphrates" (Deuteronomy 1:7) and "the stars of heaven for multitude" (Deuteronomy 1:10) hark back to God’s promises to Abraham."Virtually all of Palestine and Syria are... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:10-11
Israel's increase. These verses embody the expression of a very natural state of feeling in contemplating the marvel of the Church's growth. I. THE CHURCH 'S INCREASE AN OBJECT OF DESIRE . "The Lord God of your fathers make you," etc. ( Deuteronomy 1:11 ). Such increase is: 1. A token of Divine favor ( Acts 11:24 ). 2. A manifestation of Divine power ( 1 Corinthians 1:18-30 ; Ephesians 1:19 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:5 ). 3. A source of blessing to the... read more