How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? His meaning is, that he could not hear and try all their causes, and determine all their law suits, and decide the strifes and controversies which arose between them; it was too heavy for him, and brought too much trouble and incumbrance upon him. 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
Moses appeals to the good sense of the people themselves: How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? Cumbrance : this is a just rendering of the Hebrew word מֹרֲח , from טָרַח , which, though it occurs only in the Hiphil in Hebrew, in the sense of to cast down ( Job 17:11 ), probably was in use also in the Kal, in the sense of to lay upon, to encumber, which is the meaning of the cognate Arabic, see Arabic word, followed by, see Arabic word. ... 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
Deuteronomy 1:12-13. How can I alone bear your burden? The trouble of ruling and managing so perverse a people. Your strife Your contentions among yourselves, for the determination whereof the elders were appointed. Take ye wise men and understanding Persons of knowledge, wisdom, and experience. Known among your tribes Hebrew, to your tribes; men had in reputation for ability and integrity; for to such they would more readily submit. 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