TITLE AND INTRODUCTION , Deuteronomy 1:1-5 . In these verses we have the inscription and general introduction to the book, announcing the contents of the book, the author of it, the parties whom he addressed, and the time and place of his addresses. read more
The Word of God full of hidden treasure. We cannot get very far in these preliminary verses ere we are struck with a phrase which is a most suggestive one, and should not be lightly passed over, viz. "On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law," literally, to dig it, i . e . to go deeply into it, and to turn up again its contents, so that, to all the advantage of a generation of culture, the people might see that there was more meaning, and also more... read more
together with Exodus 23:20-33 . The Hebrew right to Canaan. Moses is reviewing the career of Israel, and is endeavoring to set before the people the patience and faithfulness of God, as well as their own waywardness. In the part of his review which is before us just now, he points to the time when their sojourn in Horeb was about to close. Laws and ordinances had been given. The nation was formed. Preparations for departure would have to be made. To this they are incited by a renewal... read more
Divine covenant and human conduct-the two hemispheres of a complete life. I. AN ELECT MAN , THE BEST OF THE AGE , BECOMES A MEDIUM OF REVELATION BETWEEN GOD AND MEN . As in nature, so in human life, there are numberless grades of office and of function. At Sinai, we have God, angels, Moses, priests. The transparent candor and fidelity of Moses, as a subaltern in God's great host, is a light to all future ages. As the uncreated light left an abiding impress... read more
The impartiality of God to be reflected in the judges of his people. In the following Homilies we adhere to the traditional view of the Mosaic authorship of the book, believing that no sufficient evidence has yet been adduced by the critics for departing from that view. Moses enters upon his addresses in the land of Moab by recapitulating the salient points of the Exodus. The first notable reference is to the appointment of the judges. The qualifications and directions here recorded are... read more
Horeb . The name generally given to Sinai in Deuteronomy (see introduction, § 4). Sinai, however, occurs in Deuteronomy 33:2 of this book. By the way of mount Seir , i . e . by the way that leads to Mount Seir; just as in Deuteronomy 2:1 , "the way of the Red sea" is the way that leads to that sea (see also Numbers 14:25 ). Mount is here, as often elsewhere, for mountain range . The mountain range here referred to seems to have been, not that on the east of the 'Arabah,... read more
The might-have-beens of life. In its present setting this brief geographical note was, doubtless, meant to suggest the lesson of the evil results of disobedience. "Eleven days' journey," yet the fortieth year still saw them in the wilderness. We learn: 1. Sin turns short ways into long ones. 2. Sin entails on the transgressor needless trouble and sorrow. 3. Sin fills life with fruitless regrets. 4. Sin delays fulfillment of God's promises. The path of obedience is in the... read more
Here is intimated the time when the following addresses were delivered to the people. It was on the first day of the eleventh month in the fortieth year; therefore near the end of their wanderings, and towards the close of the lawgiver's own career. He could thus speak to them according unto all that the Lord had given him in commandment unto them , i . e . in accordance with the legislative contents of the preceding books (comp. Deuteronomy 4:5 23; Deuteronomy 5:28-33 ; ... read more
These verses are prefixed as a connecting link between the contents of the preceding books and that of Deuteronomy now to follow. The sense of the passage might be given thus: “The discourses of Moses to the people up to the eleventh month of the fortieth year” (compare Deuteronomy 1:3) “have now been recorded.” The proper names which follow seem to belong to places where “words” of remarkable importance were spoken. They are by the Jewish commentators referred to the spots which witnessed the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:1-4
The Deuteronomic discourses. I. THE SPEAKER . "Moses." Though an hundred and twenty years old, "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated" ( Deuteronomy 34:7 )—a statement borne out by the sustained eloquence of these addresses. He speaks with the authority of a prophet, the affection of a patriot, and the earnestness of a dying man. II. THE HEARERS . "All Israel." A new generation had sprung up from that which had received the Law at Sinai. 1. All are concerned... read more