Deuteronomy 30:19. Choose life They shall have life that choose it: they that choose the favour of God, and communion with him, shall have what they choose. They that come short of life and happiness, must thank themselves only. They would have had them, if they had chosen them, when they were put to their choice: but they die, because they will die. read more
The covenant renewed (29:1-30:20)Israel’s lack of understanding of God and his ways meant that the people needed constant reminders of the covenant’s purpose, meaning and requirements. Moses gave them such a reminder in this his farewell address to the nation, acting as God’s representative in the renewal of the covenant as he had done at the establishment of the covenant at Sinai (Horeb) (29:1-9). The renewed oath of allegiance that the people swore before entering Canaan was binding on future... read more
I call. Figure of speech Deasis, or, Obtestatio. App-6 . heaven and earth = the heavens and the earth. One of thirteen occurrences. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 . to record = to witness. read more
Ver. 19. I call heaven and earth to record— See chap. Deu 4:26 Deuteronomy 32:1. REFLECTIONS.—Warm and urgent when such important concerns were at stake, he seeks to fix some abiding impressions on their hearts, or at least to leave them inexcusable. 1. The case was plain, and on their choice it depended to be happy or miserable; they had every argument pressed upon them to avoid death, every motive urged to engage them to seek the life that God promised. The love of God, and obedience to his... read more
B. A call to decision ch. 30Having appealed for the Israelites’ faithfulness to the covenant, he now called on the people to make a formal commitment to obey it. read more
VI. MOSES’ THIRD MAJOR ADDRESS: AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE 29:2-30:20"The rest of chapter 29 contains many reminiscences of the Near Eastern treaty pattern. It is not presented in a systematic manner but in narrative form. However, elements of the pattern are clearly discernible, making it extremely likely that some kind of covenant ceremony underlies the events here reported." [Note: Thompson, p. 279.] The form of this section argues for it being a covenant renewal. There is a historical... read more
2. The importance of obedience 30:11-20Obeying did not lie beyond the average Israelite’s ability if he or she turned to Yahweh wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 30:10). God was not asking something impossible of His people (Deuteronomy 30:11-15; cf. Romans 10:6-8). He had given them the Mosaic Law so they could obey Him."The point at issue here was not the ease or even possibility of keeping the word of the Lord . . . but of even knowing what it was. Contrary to the inscrutable and enigmatic ways of... read more
Promises and AppealsA promise of restoration, even after abandonment and rejection, is held out, on condition of repentance; and an appeal is made to the people to choos the way of obedience and life rather than that of disobedience and death.6. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant. To circumcise the heart is to consecrate it to God: cp. on Leviticus 19:23.11. Hidden] RV ’hard,’ lit. ’wonderful.’ God’s law is not unintelligible or impracticable. It is a revealed thing (see Deuteronomy... read more
Deuteronomy 30:0 'The word is very nigh unto thee.' In one of his poems Lowell tells the story of an ancient prophet who made a pilgrimage into the wilderness until he reached Mount Sinai. God's presence had deserted him, and he thought that there, if anywhere, he should find it again. As he engaged in prayer on Sinai, expecting some strange and startling answer, the moss at his feet unfolded, and a violet showed itself through the moss. Then he remembered that just before he left home his... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 30:11-20
Ignorance of the requirements of the law cannot be pleaded Deuteronomy 30:10-14; hence, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 life and death, good and evil, are solemnly set before the people for their own choice; and an earnest exhortation to choose the better part concludes the address.Deuteronomy 30:11-14. “The righteousness which is of faith” is really and truly described in these words of the Law; and, under Paul’s guidance (see marginal references) we affirm was intended so to be. For the simplicity and... read more