See = Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . life and good, and death and evil. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect). App-6 . Put for the good things which end in life, and evil things which end in death. Compare Amos 5:14 . evil. See App-44 . read more
"See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command thee this day to love Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, that thou mayest live and multiply, and that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in the land whither thou goest in to possess it. But if thy heart turn away, and thou wilt not hear, but thou shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that... read more
Ver. 15. Life and good, and death and evil— The life and good is explained in the next verse; the death and evil in the 18th: whence we learn, that the former signifies all manner of national happiness; the latter, all manner of national misery: both which Moses had set before them at large in the twenty-eighth chapter. read more
15-20. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil—the alternative of a good and happy, or a disobedient and miserable life. Love of God and compliance with His will are the only ways of securing the blessings and avoiding the evils described. The choice was left to them, and in urging upon them the inducements to a wise choice, Moses warmed as he proceeded into a tone of solemn and impressive earnestness similar to that of Paul to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:26;... read more
B. A call to decision ch. 30Having appealed for the Israelites’ faithfulness to the covenant, he now called on the people to make a formal commitment to obey it. 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
2. The importance of obedience 30:11-20Obeying did not lie beyond the average Israelite’s ability if he or she turned to Yahweh wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 30:10). God was not asking something impossible of His people (Deuteronomy 30:11-15; cf. Romans 10:6-8). He had given them the Mosaic Law so they could obey Him."The point at issue here was not the ease or even possibility of keeping the word of the Lord . . . but of even knowing what it was. Contrary to the inscrutable and enigmatic ways of... read more
Promises and AppealsA promise of restoration, even after abandonment and rejection, is held out, on condition of repentance; and an appeal is made to the people to choos the way of obedience and life rather than that of disobedience and death.6. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant. To circumcise the heart is to consecrate it to God: cp. on Leviticus 19:23.11. Hidden] RV ’hard,’ lit. ’wonderful.’ God’s law is not unintelligible or impracticable. It is a revealed thing (see Deuteronomy... read more
Deuteronomy 30:0 'The word is very nigh unto thee.' In one of his poems Lowell tells the story of an ancient prophet who made a pilgrimage into the wilderness until he reached Mount Sinai. God's presence had deserted him, and he thought that there, if anywhere, he should find it again. As he engaged in prayer on Sinai, expecting some strange and startling answer, the moss at his feet unfolded, and a violet showed itself through the moss. Then he remembered that just before he left home his... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 30:1-20
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