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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Loth to part (we say) bids oft farewell. Moses does so to the children of Israel: not because he was loth to go to God, but because he was loth to leave them, fearing that when he had left them they would leave God. He had finished what he had to say to them by way of counsel and exhortation: here he calls them together to give them a word of encouragement, especially with reference to the wars of Canaan, in which they were now to engage. It was a discouragement to them that Moses was to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of a good courage ,.... The Septuagint version is,"play the men, and be strong;'be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, trusting and relying on him that goes before you; and so take heart, and be of good courage, and act the manly part; the apostle seems to refer to this passage, 1 Corinthians 16:13 , fear not, nor be afraid of them ; their enemies, though so numerous, so mighty, and some of them of a gigantic stature, and their cities strong and well... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong - חזקו chizku , the same word that is used Exodus 4:21 ; (note), Exodus 9:15 ; (note), for hardening Pharaoh's heart. See the notes there. The Septuagint, in this and the following verse, have, Ανδριζου και ισχυε , Play the man, and be strong; and from this St. Paul seems to have borrowed his ideas, 1 Corinthians 16:13 ; : Στηκετε εν τῃ πιστει· ανδριζεσθε, κρατιουσθε : Stand firm in the faith; play the man - act like heroes; be vigorous. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 31:6

Verse 6 6Be strong and of good courage. After he had shown that God would be with them, for their help, he exhorts the people to firmness and magnanimity. And surely this is one means of confirming our courage, to be assured that the assistance which God promises will suffice for us: so far is it from being the case, that our zeal and energy in acting aright is impaired, by our ascribing to the grace of God what foolish men attribute to their own free will. For those who are aroused to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:1-8

The leadership made over to Joshua. There is something wonderfully pathetic in the great leader, whose eye is yet undimmed, laying down his trust beside the Jordan. He is a hundred and twenty years old, but the Lord hath denied him the privilege of entering the land of promise. He now meekly resigns his command, and nominates Joshua as his successor. It might have discouraged the people, the loss of their great leader; but he points them upward to the Lord their God, who had been the real... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Putting off the harness. Faith in God anticipates every event without distress. If God's plan cut across the grain of our own inclination, faith inspires us to say," His plan is best." By virtue of a living faith, we can face death without anxiety, and advance to meet the last foe. We see in this passage— I. FAITH ACQUIESCENT IN BODILY DISSOLUTION . Splendid triumphs were in sight. The Jewish host was about to complete its conquest; just about to realize full success after... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:1-13

A new generation receiving the heritage of the past. The closing scene of Moses' life is drawing nigh. The time is at hand when he and Israel must part, and the leadership must be undertaken by another. As far as can be done, two things have to be ensured—viz, the conservation of Israel's Law, and the conduct of the people to their goal. "God buries his ministers, but he carries on his work." Hence Moses first addresses all the people; then he turns to Joshua, confirming him as the future... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:3-6

But though Moses was no longer to be their leader, he assures them that the Lord would fulfill his engagement to conduct them to the possession of Canaan, even as he had already given them the territory of the kings of the Amorites; and he therefore exhorts them to be of good courage and fearlessly go forward to the conquest of the laud (cf. Deuteronomy 1:21 ; Deuteronomy 10:3 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:3-23

Joshua. Joshua a type of Jesus, the true Leader into the rest of God ( Hebrews 4:8 ). God has given him, as formerly he gave the son of Nun, for "a Leader and Commander to the people" ( Isaiah 55:4 ). I. THE MAN . Joshua as leader was: 1. Divinely appointed (verse 3). 2. Divinely led . "He doth go before thee" (verse 8). The captain had a higher Captain ( Joshua 5:14 ). 3. Divinely assisted . "He will be with thee" (verse 8). Our Leader is Emmanuel—"God... read more

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