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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 9:1-6

The call to attention (Deut. 9:1), Hear, O Israel, intimates that this was a new discourse, delivered at some distance of time after the former, probably the next sabbath day. I. Moses represents to the people the formidable strength of the enemies which they were now to encounter, Deut. 9:1. The nations they were to dispossess were mightier than themselves, not a rude and undisciplined rout, like the natives of America, that were easily made a prey of. But, should they besiege them, they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 9:5

Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart ,.... Neither for their external righteousness before men, or their outward conformity to the law, nor for the inward sincerity of their hearts, and their upright intentions in doing good, in which they were defective: dost thou go to possess their land ; this is repeated, and enlarged on, and explained, that this notion might be entirely removed from them, and not entertained by them; similar to which is that of men, who... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 9:5

For the wickedness of these nations - So then it was not by any sovereign act of God that these people were cast out, but for their wickedness; they had transgressed the law of their Creator; they had resisted his Spirit, and could no longer be tolerated. The Israelites were to possess their land, not because they deserved it, but first, because they were less wicked than the others; and secondly, because God thus chose to begin the great work of his salvation among men. Thus then the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 9:5

Verse 5 5.Not for thy righteousness. First of all, he would have the punishment inflicted upon these nations awaken the Israelites to fear, and thus that they should attribute nothing to themselves; because it was God’s design not to reward their merits, but to shew the severity of His judgment. Secondly, he confirms this by two arguments; viz., because God thus had performed what He promised Abraham; (which promise, as has been already seen, was founded on mere grace;) and, again, because the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 9:1-6

EXPOSITION DISSUASIVES FROM SELF - RIGHTEOUSNESS . Israel might acknowledge that it was of God's free gift that they possessed the land of Canaan, and yet might flatter themselves by thinking it was because of their righteousness and goodness that the gift was bestowed. To guard against this, Moses tells them that not because of their righteousness would God go before them and drive out the mighty peoples that then occupied the land, but because of the wickedness of these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 9:1-6

Against self-righteous conceit. Sanguine expectation of success in war is a potential force of immeasurable value. If the expectation be ill-founded, it is worse than none. It will not stand as substitute for other equipment, but it serves as a final edge upon the well-tempered blade. Like the figure " naught ," which increases the sign of value only when added to other figures, so sanguine anticipation of triumph is only forceful when based on solid qualities. I. OBSERVE THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 9:1-6

The policy of reprobation. Moses here indicates very clearly what lay at the foundation of the invasion. It is to be carried on successfully as a judgment upon Canaanitish sin. It is no merit in the victors, but the demerit of the vanquished, which determines the Divine dealings. In one word, it is a policy of reprobation . And here let us observe— I. THAT REPROBATION IS THE OPPOSITE OF APPROBATION . Great confusion of thought exists upon this subject through losing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 9:4-5

Speak not thou in thine heart (cf. Deuteronomy 8:17 ). The distinction between righteousness and uprightness (straightness) of heart, is that the former ( צֶדֶך ) has reference to rectitude of conduct, the latter ( ישֶׁר ) to rectitude of motive and purpose. "By naming justice [righteousness], he excludeth all merit of works, and by righteousness [uprightness] of heart, all inward affections and purposes. which men might plead, notwithstanding that they fail in action. Yet these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 9:4-5

(See Homilies on Deuteronomy 3:11 ; Deuteronomy 7:1-11 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 9:4-7

Self-righteousness. Strange capacity of human nature for self-delusion! It was an extraordinary error to fall into, when the Jew began to fancy that by his own power and might he had conquered Palestine ( Deuteronomy 8:17 ). Yet more extraordinary was the delusion that he had been brought into the land on account of righteousness. The two errors sprang from the same root. The worldly mind, which spurns at the acknowledgment of God's bestowal of what it has, has its counterpart in the... read more

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