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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:34-43

Notwithstanding the iniquity of Israel and the judgments that should come upon them, God would have compassion upon them for his Name's sake, and would appear for their vindication and defense. The "this" in Deuteronomy 32:34 is by some understood of the sinful doings of the Israelites which God should not forget or overlook. So the Targum of Onkelos: "Are not all their works manifest before me, kept against the day of judgment in my treasures?" So also Calvin, " Quanquam de poenis hunc... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:34-43

Retribution. I. VENGEANCE A PREROGATIVE OF DEITY . As just Judge of the earth, God must avenge transgression. Vengeance is to be distinguished from personal vindictiveness. Of that God is incapable. But Scripture, supported by reason and conscience, attributes to him a holy and inflexible determination to punish sin—to visit on the wrong-doer the consequences of his transgression. The rule for individuals is, "Avenge not yourselves," etc.; but the reason for this is not that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:35

Render: Vengeance is mine, and retribution for the time when their feet shall totter; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and that which is prepared for them maketh haste. The tottering of the feet represents the incipient fall. God would manifest himself as the Avenger when their calamity began to come upon them. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:36

The Lord shall judge his people (cf. Psalms 135:14 ; 1 Peter 4:17 ). And repent himself for his servants ; rather, and have compassion upon his servants . And there is none shut up, or left . The words rendered "shut up or left" are a proverbial expression for "every one, men of all sorts" (cf. 1 Kings 14:10 ; 1 Kings 21:21 ; 2 Kings 9:8 ; 2 Kings 14:26 ); but how the words are to be rendered or explained is uncertain. Rosenmüller renders as in the Authorized... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:36-43

Jehovah reigns; be glad! This paragraph has about it a remarkably martial ring. It is not to be looked at as bald and literal prose. It is part of a song; it is laden with imagery, in which the God of Israel is set forth as a mighty Warrior, whose march none can hinder, whose inflictions none can withstand or evade. The style of the song was precisely appropriate to the age in which it was composed, and suited to the people in whose hearing it was addressed. The truths clothed in such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:36-43

The final revelation of God's supremacy. In this inspired song—an epitome of the Bible—Moses looks adown the long vista of history, and discerns what will be the outcome of the whole, viz. to establish on a safe basis the acknowledged supremacy of Jehovah. Truth shall eventually conquer, whatever be her present fortunes; and the supreme authority of Jehovah is a fundamental truth, which must in duo time effectually shine forth. I. HUMAN EXPERIENCE WILL ULTIMATELY CONFIRM THE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:37

The Lord would show his people the utter worthlessness of idols, and bring them to acknowledge him as the only true God. Their gods ; the idols to which Israel had turned, the strange gods which they had foolishly and sinfully preferred to Jehovah. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:39

See now that I am, even I am he. The Hebrew is more expressive, See now that I, I am; LXX ; ἴδετε ἴδετε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι (cf. Isaiah 41:4 ; Isaiah 48:12 ; John 8:24 , John 18:5 ). Their own experience of the utter impotency of these idol-gods to help them or to protect themselves from the stroke of the Almighty was enough to convince them that they were no gods, and that he alone was to be feared and worshipped. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:40-41

These verses should be read continuously: For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, As I live forever, if I whet my glittering sword, and if my hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, etc. Lifting up the hand to heaven was a gesture intended to express that the person taking an oath appealed to God as a witness of his oath, and who would perish for falsehood (cf. Genesis 14:22 ); and "as the Lord liveth" was a common formula in taking an oath (cf. Numbers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:42

My sword shall devour flesh; literally, shall eat flesh; "the edge of the sword is called its mouth, because, like a mouth, it is said to eat and devour" (Gesenius). From the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Different renderings of this have been given: LXX ; ἀπὸ κεφαλῆς ἀρχόντων ἐχθρῶν , "from the head of the hostile princes;" "from the head of the chiefs of the enemy" (Geseuius, Furst, Rosenmüller); "from the hairy head of the foe" (Keil, Herxheimer, Knobel). פְרַעוֹת ... read more

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