The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 4:25-49
EXPOSITION read more
This is the Law —the Torah— which Moses set before the children of Israel. "He meaneth that which hereafter followeth; so this belongeth to the next chapter, where the repetition of the laws begins" (Ainsworth); cf. Deuteronomy verse 1; Deuteronomy 6:1 ; Le Deuteronomy 6:9 ; Deuteronomy 7:1 , etc. read more
Punishment not rejection (See Homiletics, Deuteronomy 30:1-5 .) read more
The mercy of God. The knowledge of his own deceitful heart, and his observation of others' waywardness, convinced Moses that, in spite of all warning and appeal, the people might yet wander into evil ways. But Moses had also such a comprehensive vision of God's mercy, that he foresaw that there would be room for repentance even in the land of exile, and that Divine mercy would be available in every extremity of distress. Since God had designed to show mercy unto Israel, Moses felt assured... read more
In the latter days ; in the afterward of days ( בְּאַחֲריִת הַיָּמִים ; "end," Deuteronomy 11:12 )-a phase used sometimes to designate the times of the Messiah ( Isaiah 2:2 ; Hosea 3:5 ; comp. Acts 2:17 ; 1 Peter 1:20 ; Hebrews 1:1 ; 1 John 2:18 ); but here, as generally, it simply indicates futurity, the time to come (cf. Genesis 49:1 ; Numbers 24:14 ; Deuteronomy 31:29 , etc.). This, however, may include the far distant future, and so points to the time when... read more
In the latter days ; in the afterward of days ( בְּאַחֲריִת הַיָּמִים ; "end," Deuteronomy 11:12 )-a phase used sometimes to designate the times of the Messiah ( Isaiah 2:2 ; Hosea 3:5 ; comp. Acts 2:17 ; 1 Peter 1:20 ; Hebrews 1:1 ; 1 John 2:18 ); but here, as generally, it simply indicates futurity, the time to come (cf. Genesis 49:1 ; Numbers 24:14 ; Deuteronomy 31:29 , etc.). This, however, may include the far distant future, and so points to the time when... read more
Will not forsake thee ; literally, will not let thee loose , will not lose hold of thee, will not cast thee off (cf. Romans 11:1 , etc.). "Israel will return and find God, because he loses not hold of it" (Herxheimer). "The sinner will incline to seek God only when he apprehends him as gracious and ready to hear" (Calvin). read more
Will not forsake thee ; literally, will not let thee loose , will not lose hold of thee, will not cast thee off (cf. Romans 11:1 , etc.). "Israel will return and find God, because he loses not hold of it" (Herxheimer). "The sinner will incline to seek God only when he apprehends him as gracious and ready to hear" (Calvin). read more
Unwilling, as it might seem, to close his discourse with words of terror, Moses makes a last appeal to them in these verses in a different strain.Deuteronomy 4:34Temptations - Compare Deuteronomy 7:18-19; Deuteronomy 29:2-3; not, “i. e.” the tribulations and persecutions undergone by the Israelites, out the plagues miraculously inflicted on the Egyptians.Deuteronomy 4:37He chose their seed after them - literally, “his seed after him.” Speaking of the love of God to their fathers in general,... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 4:25-49
This is the Law —the Torah— which Moses set before the children of Israel. "He meaneth that which hereafter followeth; so this belongeth to the next chapter, where the repetition of the laws begins" (Ainsworth); cf. Deuteronomy verse 1; Deuteronomy 6:1 ; Le Deuteronomy 6:9 ; Deuteronomy 7:1 , etc. read more