The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are ,.... This prayer he made, or this blessing he pronounced on them, to show that he did not envy their increase, nor was any ways uneasy at it, but rejoiced in it, though he gave it as a reason of his not being able to govern them alone: and bless you, as he hath promised you : with all kind of blessings, as he had often promised their fathers. read more
The impartiality of God to be reflected in the judges of his people. In the following Homilies we adhere to the traditional view of the Mosaic authorship of the book, believing that no sufficient evidence has yet been adduced by the critics for departing from that view. Moses enters upon his addresses in the land of Moab by recapitulating the salient points of the Exodus. The first notable reference is to the appointment of the judges. The qualifications and directions here recorded are... read more
Rules to be observed in choosing rulers. This paragraph may with advantage be compared with Exodus 18:1-27 ; in which there is a fuller account of the circumstances under which the choice of judges and magistrates was proposed and made; this important step towards the order and consolidation of the national life was taken at the suggestion of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. Referring to the exposition of that chapter for the historic detail, we note here simply: 1. That the... read more
Division of labor. (Cf. Exodus 18:13-27 .) An instance of a good idea Reminds us that division of labor is as important in Church work as in the arts. I. THE NEGLECT OF DIVISION OF LABOR LEADS TO SERIOUS EVILS . 1. The work is not overtaken. "Not able" ( Deuteronomy 1:9 ). 2. Those who have to do it are greatly overtaxed. "Cumbrance," "burden" ( Deuteronomy 1:12 ). 3. Energy is wasted on subordinate tasks which might be applied to better purpose.... read more
Moses reminds them that he had done all that was required on his part to conduct the people to the enjoyment of what God had freely given to them. The people had so increased in number that Moses found himself unable to attend to all the matters that concerned them, or to adjudicate in all the differences that arose among them. God had brought to pass that which he had promised to Abraham ( Genesis 15:5 ), that his seed should be as the stars of heaven for multitude; in this Moses rejoiced,... read more
The blessing of good government. I. A WISE MAN DISAVOWS ABSOLUTE MONARCHY . Legislation, the most difficult department of government, had been furnished for Israel by the Supreme Mind of the universe; yet Moses found the task of administration too much for a single arm. The aim of every ruler ought to be, not personal power, but universal service—the greatest good of the greatest number. No wise man will expose himself to the tremendous temptation of personal aggrandizement.... read more
Israel's increase. These verses embody the expression of a very natural state of feeling in contemplating the marvel of the Church's growth. I. THE CHURCH 'S INCREASE AN OBJECT OF DESIRE . "The Lord God of your fathers make you," etc. ( Deuteronomy 1:11 ). Such increase is: 1. A token of Divine favor ( Acts 11:24 ). 2. A manifestation of Divine power ( 1 Corinthians 1:18-30 ; Ephesians 1:19 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:5 ). 3. A source of blessing to the... read more
It was not the vast increase of the people in numbers that distressed Moses, rather was this to him a matter of rejoicing, and his desire was that their increase might become still greater, even a thousandfold. But he felt his own inability, as leader, ruler, and judge, alone to cope with so vast a multitude. read more
This appointment of the “captains” (compare Exodus 18:21 ff) must not be confounded with that of the elders in Numbers 11:16 ff. The former would number 78,600; the latter were 70 only.A comparison between this passage and that in Exodus makes it obvious that Moses is only touching on certain parts of the whole history, without regard to order of time, but with a special purpose. This important arrangement for the good government of the people took place before they left Horeb to march direct... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:9-18
Moses here reminds them of the happy constitution of their government, which was such as might make them all safe and easy if it was not their own fault. When good laws were given them good men were entrusted with the execution of them, which, as it was an instance of God's goodness to them, so it was of the care of Moses concerning them; and, it should seem, he mentions it here to recommend himself to them as a man that sincerely sought their welfare, and so to make way for what he was about... read more