George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:3
Seen. Many who were present had seen the plagues of Egypt, and what the Israelites themselves had suffered in the wilderness. (Calmet) read more
Seen. Many who were present had seen the plagues of Egypt, and what the Israelites themselves had suffered in the wilderness. (Calmet) read more
Hath not given you, &c. Through your own fault, and because you resisted his grace. (Challoner) --- If they had not been guilty, Moses would never have made them this reproach. "But he shews that they could not understand or obey without God's assistance,....and yet if....it be wanting, si adjutorium Dei desit, the vice of man is not on that account, deserving of excuse, since the judgments of God are just, though they be hidden." (St. Augustine, q. 50.) --- Others explain it thus:... read more
1-9 Both former mercies, and fresh mercies, should be thought on by us as motives to obedience. The hearing ear, and seeing eye, and the understanding heart, are the gift of God. All that have them, have them from him. God gives not only food and raiment, but wealth and large possessions, to many to whom he does not give grace. Many enjoy the gifts, who have not hearts to perceive the Giver, nor the true design and use of the gifts. We are bound, in gratitude and interest, as well as in duty... read more
Of the Deliverance from Egypt v. 1. These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, while they were still encamped in the steppes east of Jordan, beside the covenant which He made with them in Horeb. This verse is inserted to form the transition from the preceding speeches and to be the title of the last admonitions of Moses, especially of his urgent invitation to be mindful of the covenant and to keep its... read more
Deuteronomy 29:1-291These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make [to close] with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which he made [closed] with them in Horeb. 2And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land. 3The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:... read more
the Covenant that Brings Prosperity Deuteronomy 29:1-13 In one great final convocation Moses rehearsed the Covenant, and endeavored to bind the people to its provisions. It becomes us all from time to time to look into the vows that we have made, reviewing them to see if we have carefully observed and kept our pledges. We need also to enlarge their scope as one new department after another is added to the experience of our souls. A review also of God’s great love and care through past years... read more
The fourth discourse of Moses urged the people to be true to the Covenant, the terms of which had been given and are recorded in the previous chapter. It is to be carefully remembered that the first verse of chapter twenty-nine in our arrangement is the last of chapter twenty-eight in the Hebrew Bible. The statement, "These are the words of the covenant," refers to what had already been uttered. In thus especially appealing to them, Moses first referred to the Lord's deliverances for them,... read more
A Quick Resume Of Their History (Deuteronomy 29:2-8 ). In the light of the covenant which he had given (Deuteronomy 29:1), he began by a quick reminder of their reasons for confidence in Yahweh, and of why they should be grateful to Him so that they should respond accordingly. He cited four things, Yahweh’s deliverance from Egypt (compare Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 5:6; Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 6:12; Deuteronomy 6:21-22;... read more
Deuteronomy 29:1 belongs, as in the Heb. Bible, to the preceding chapter. It is the formal ending of the great discourse ( Deuteronomy 4:44, Deuteronomy 12-26, Deuteronomy 28). Deuteronomy 29 (except Deuteronomy 29:1) and Deuteronomy 30 form ostensibly Moses’ third address, in the course of which Israel is urged to obey Yahweh and to enter into covenant relations with Him ( Deuteronomy 29:2-Ezra :), words of warning ( Deuteronomy 29:16-Joel :) being followed by words of promise ( Deuteronomy... read more
Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:4
We shall do well, Reader, to ask our hearts whether this be our case. Oh! gracious GOD, above all blessings give me JESUS and his HOLY SPIRIT, that I may perceive what my mercies are, and enjoy hits, and all things in him. "From all blindness, hardness of heart, and ignorance of thy word and commandment, good LORD deliver me!" read more