And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments ,.... Take notice of them, and heed unto them, so as to practise them: which I set before you this day ; repeated in order to them, on the observance of which depended their continuance in the land of Canaan; and therefore this is so often repeated and urged. read more
Moses, in conclusion, refers to the blessing and the curse consequent on the observance or the transgression of the Law, and prescribes that when they had entered on possession of the land the blessing should be proclaimed from Mount Gerizim, and the curse from Mount Ebal. read more
Startling alternatives. Our life is hourly a choice of alternatives. We can go to the right or to the left. Choice is incessantly demanded, and the issues of our choice are momentous. I. THE REVELATION OF GOD 'S WILL MAY BE A SOURCE OF ABSOLUTE BLESSING . Such revelation is the disclosure of man's true paradise. It is the opening of the door of God's own palace; and, unworthy though we are, we may enter and find rest. To do God's will is to be Christ-like—is to be... read more
Life's solemn alternative. Moses here sums up his exhortation with the alternative of a blessing or a curse. Obedience secures the blessing; disobedience the curse. He also directs them to go through a solemn service when they reach Mounts Gerizim and Ebal, by pronouncing the blessings and the curses from these mountains respectively. By the law of association, the very landscape was to witness to the truth of God. We are here reminded of such lessons as these— I. GOD 'S MINISTERS ... read more
The assurance that they should pass over Jordan and possess the land of Canaan, is assigned as a reason and motive why they should observe to do all that God had commanded them. HOMILETICS read more
What God demands of Israel (10:12-11:32)In summary, Moses’ instruction to Israel as a people was that they were to fear, obey, love and serve God, in the assurance that he desired only their good (12-13). He had chosen them in mercy, and he wanted them likewise to show mercy to others. They were to have humble purity of heart and genuine love, both in their relations with him and in their relations with others (14-20). They were not to be arrogant or boastful, but were to remember their humble... read more
The consequences of obedience and disobedience ch. 11The section of Deuteronomy dealing with general stipulations of the covenant ends as it began, with an exhortation to covenant loyalty (Deuteronomy 5:1-5; cf. Deuteronomy 4:32-40)."This chapter is to be understood as a re-emphasis of these principles [that were to govern Israel’s life] before the detailed laws of the so-called Deuteronomic Code (Deuteronomy 12:1 to Deuteronomy 26:19) are presented." [Note: Thompson, p. 151.] read more
God would drive out all the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 11:23) and give Israel all the land that He had promised Abraham (Deuteronomy 11:24; cf. Genesis 15:18). [Note: See Richard D. Patterson, "The Biblical Imagery of Feet as a Vehicle for Truth," Bibliotheca Sacra 163:649 (January-March 2006):35.] Deuteronomy 11:26-28 are a concluding summary. The decision Israel faced would result in either blessing or cursing."One of the most frequently used words in Deuteronomy is ’today.’ It occurs almost a... read more
Practical Exhortations (concluded)Some injunctions to obedience, with the blessing it entails, and the curse that follows disobedience.1. Therefore] There should be no break here: see on Deuteronomy 10:22. 2. Seen the chastisement] i.e. experienced for yourselves the discipline or instruction of the Lord. The word refers not only to the punishment of the Egyptians but’ also to the experiences of the Israelites. 6. There is no mention here of Korah: see on Numbers 16.10, 11. The fields in Egypt... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 11:26-32
Here Moses concludes his general exhortations to obedience; and his management is very affecting, and such as, one would think, should have engaged them for ever to God, and should have left impressions upon them never to be worn out. I. He sums up all his arguments for obedience in two words, the blessing and the curse (Deut. 11:26), that is, the rewards and the punishments, as they stand in the promises and the threatenings, which are the great sanctions of the law, taking hold of hope and... read more