Ability to understand the things of God is the gift of God (compare 1 Corinthians 2:13-14); yet man is not guiltless if he lacks that ability. The people had it not because they had not felt their want of it, nor asked for it. Compare 2 Corinthians 3:14-15. read more
Deuteronomy 29:4. The Lord hath not given you a heart to perceive Which he would have done had you sincerely and earnestly desired and asked it of him; and you are inexcusable that you have not, considering his signal mercies on the one hand, and awful judgments on the other, of which you have had such great experience, and which called loudly upon you to humble yourselves before him in true repentance, and seek his grace to enable you to understand and improve by such extraordinary... read more
The covenant renewed (29:1-30:20)Israel’s lack of understanding of God and his ways meant that the people needed constant reminders of the covenant’s purpose, meaning and requirements. Moses gave them such a reminder in this his farewell address to the nation, acting as God’s representative in the renewal of the covenant as he had done at the establishment of the covenant at Sinai (Horeb) (29:1-9). The renewed oath of allegiance that the people swore before entering Canaan was binding on future... read more
Ver. 3. The great temptations— Or, The great trials. read more
Ver. 4. Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive— The meaning of this complaint is, not that God was wanting in his assistance, much less that he actually operated upon them to make them stupid and ungrateful; but that, through their own obstinacy and perverseness, the means which God had been pleased to make use of to reclaim them had always proved ineffectual; and all the great and marvellous things that he had done for them in Egypt and in the wilderness had not prevailed with... read more
1. Historical review 29:2-8The emphasis in this section is on God’s faithfulness in bringing Israel to its present position (cf. Deuteronomy 1:6 to Deuteronomy 4:40). To do this God had provided for the people in the wilderness and had given them victory over some of their enemies (e.g., Sihon and Og). He had also given them some of the land He had promised them. One writer concluded that most of the Israelites could not respond to God because they did not enjoy a faith relationship with Him,... read more
VI. MOSES’ THIRD MAJOR ADDRESS: AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE 29:2-30:20"The rest of chapter 29 contains many reminiscences of the Near Eastern treaty pattern. It is not presented in a systematic manner but in narrative form. However, elements of the pattern are clearly discernible, making it extremely likely that some kind of covenant ceremony underlies the events here reported." [Note: Thompson, p. 279.] The form of this section argues for it being a covenant renewal. There is a historical... read more
A. An appeal for faithfulness 29:2-29Moses began his third address to the Israelites with an appeal for them to remain faithful to their suzerain lord and His covenant with them. read more
Exhortations and WarningsIn this chapter the covenant is renewed and enforced with a reminder of God’s goodness and the consequences of disobedience.3. Temptations] i.e. provings or trials: see n Deuteronomy 7:19. 4. The people have not laid these things to heart. For the form of expression see on the ’hardening of Pharaoh’s heart’ (Exodus 4:21). 6. Not eaten bread] but manna. They have been entirely dependent on God, and His care in providing for them should teach them humility and obedience.... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:4
The Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, etc. Moses says this "not to excuse their wickedness, but partly to direct them what course to take, and to whom they must have recourse for the amending of their former errors, and for a good understanding and improvement of God's works; and partly to aggravate their sin, and to intimate that, although the hearing ear and the seeing eye and the understanding heart are the workmanship of God ( Proverbs 20:12 ), and the effects of his... read more