Deuteronomy 32:37-38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:26-38

After many terrible threatenings of deserved wrath and vengeance, we have here surprising intimations of mercy, undeserved mercy, which rejoices against judgment, and by which it appears that God has no pleasure in the death of sinners, but would rather they should turn and live. I. In jealousy for his own honour, he will not make a full end of them, Deut. 32:26-28. 1. It cannot be denied but that they deserved to be utterly ruined, and that their remembrance should be made to cease from among... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:37

And he shall say, where are their gods ?.... Not the Lord shall say to Israel, upbraiding them with their idols and their idolatries; but, as the Targum of Jonathan,"the enemy shall say, where is the God of Israel?'and to the same purpose is, the Jerusalem Targum, and which is the sense of other Jewish writers F23 Aben Ezra & R. Nehemiah in Jarchi in loc. ; and the words may be rendered impersonally, and in the singular number, "and it shall be said, where is their God?" as it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:38

Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings ,.... Alluding to the fat of the sacrifices under the law, which was claimed by the Lord as his, and represented as his food, Leviticus 3:11 ; and to the drink offerings of wine, which were of a sweet savour to God, and with respect to which wine is said to cheer him, Numbers 15:7 . Now New Testament worship and services are here expressed in Old Testament language, which is not unusual; see Isaiah... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:37

He shall say - He shall begin to expostulate with them, to awaken them to a due sense of their ingratitude and rebellion. This may refer to the preaching of the Gospel to them in the latter days. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:37

Verse 37 37.And he shall say, Where are their gods? Commentators are here at issue, for some continue the paragraph, as if Moses were reporting the boastings and insults of their enemies in the afflicted state of the Church; whilst others consider it to be a pious exultation, wherein the faithful will celebrate the deliverance of the Church. If we suppose the enemies to be here speaking, it will be inconsistent that the word “gods” should be used in the plural number: besides, what follows will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:19-47

Vengeance and recompense. The reasonableness of the Divine jealousy being shown already, we can have little difficulty in recognizing the further reasonableness of the Divine vengeance. Paul's treatment of the question is concise and conclusive. "Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man). God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?" ( Romans 3:5 , Romans 3:6 ). Vengeance is recognized, therefore, as belonging to God's justice, which shall be called into play... read more

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 32:36-43

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

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