Moses concludes by solemnly adjuring the people, as he had set before them, in his proclamation of the Law and in his preaching, good and evil, life and death, to choose the former and eschew the latter, to love and serve the Lord which is life, and to shun apostasy and disobedience which are death (cf. Deuteronomy 11:26 , Deuteronomy 11:27 ). read more
A dread alternative. While handling substantially the same momentous themes, the aged lawgiver, as if the thought were oppressing him that he should very soon speak his last word, becomes more and more intensely earnest, and mingles a solemnity and pathos which may well be followed by those whose work it is to "warn every man, and teach every man in all wisdom," that they may "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Here is presented to us a series of considerations, which are... read more
A last word. I. AN ALTERNATIVE . Life and death; good and evil ( Deuteronomy 30:15 ); blessing and cursing ( Deuteronomy 30:19 ). An alternative for the nation, but also for the individual. "Life" is more than existence—it is holy and happy existence. "Death" is not equivalent to non-existence. As respects the natural life, it is the separation of the living, thinking principle from the body, and is compatible with the survival of the soul in a future state. As respects the... read more
An alternative choice. The prophet's power to persuade and influence a people is great—unspeakably great; yet it is not irresistible. It has its limits. After all that has been said to him, a man feels that the determination and choice rest within himself. Reason may be convinced; judgment may give a decided verdict; still inclination may inordinately lean to the weaker side, and baffle all prudent calculations. The intense eagerness of Moses for the people's weal is a sublime spectacle of... read more
Death and life set before the people. In this earnest word which concludes a section of his address to the people, Moses is summing up his deliverance. It has been called by Havernick "the classic passage" upon the subject of death and life as understood in Old Testament times. £ "Shut out from the true community of life ( Lebensgemeinschaft )," says Havernick," the sinner puts in only a pretended life ( Scheinleben ), without God, enduring and promoting ruin in himself, until... read more
Nature a witness. (See for other instances, Deuteronomy 4:26 ; Deuteronomy 31:28 ; Deuteronomy 32:1 ; Isaiah 1:2 .) The invocation of heaven and earth as witnesses turns on deep principles. They are "called to record"— I. BECAUSE THE MIND RECOGNIZES THEIR PRESENCE AS WITNESSES OF ITS TRANSACTIONS . It projects its own consciousness on its surroundings, and feels as if earth and sky, sun, moon, rock, river, tree, mountain, were not inanimate but animate and... read more
For he is thy life ; rather, for this is thy life ; to love the Lord is really to live the true, the higher life (cf. Deuteronomy 4:40 ; Deuteronomy 32:47 ). HOMILETICS read more
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John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 30:19
Verse 19 19.I call heaven and earth to record this day against you. Though the verb is in the past tense, it indicates a present act. It is in order to deal with them with greater urgency that he calls heaven and earth to witness the vengeance of God. In these words he does not address men and angels, as some tamely expound it, but in amplification attributes sense to things inanimate. I pass this over briefly, because I have (288) treated it more fully before; as also what soon afterwards... read more