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
With all thy heart and with all thy soul. As true religion consists in loving the Lord with all the heart and soul, the whole inner nature ( Deuteronomy 6:5 ; Deuteronomy 10:12 ), so true repentance consists in a turning from sin and all ungodliness to God, in a coming from a state of enmity to him, or of indifference to his claims, to honor, reverence, and serve him intelligently and sincerely, thinking of him aright, adoring his perfections, delighting in him u the alone good, giving... read more
With all thy heart and with all thy soul. As true religion consists in loving the Lord with all the heart and soul, the whole inner nature ( Deuteronomy 6:5 ; Deuteronomy 10:12 ), so true repentance consists in a turning from sin and all ungodliness to God, in a coming from a state of enmity to him, or of indifference to his claims, to honor, reverence, and serve him intelligently and sincerely, thinking of him aright, adoring his perfections, delighting in him u the alone good, giving... 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
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
Deuteronomy 4:28-29. Ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands You shall be compelled by men, and given up by me, to idolatry. So that very thing which was your choice, shall be your punishment: it being just and usual for God to punish one sin by giving men up to another. If from thence thou seek the Lord Whatever place we are in, we may from thence seek him. There is no part of the earth which has a gulf fixed between it and heaven. read more
Warning to be obedient (4:1-43)The reason Moses outlined Israel’s history was to show on the one hand that God’s promises did not fail, and on the other that his judgment on disobedience was certain. In view of this, the people were to keep all God’s laws and commandments without altering them to suit themselves. If they modelled their national life in Canaan on these laws, they would benefit themselves and be an example to others (4:1-8).In order that Israel might not forget his laws, God had... read more
thou shalt. This agrees with the Samaritan Pentateuch Text, but the printed Hebrew Text has "ye shall". seek. Compare Leviticus 26:40 . Jeremiah 29:13 , &c. soul. Hebrew. nephesh. See App-13 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 4:25-49
EXPOSITION read more