Deuteronomy 30:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses here concludes with a very bright light, and a very strong fire, that, if possible, what he had been preaching of might find entrance into the understanding and affections of this unthinking people. What could be said more moving, and more likely to make deep and lasting impressions? The manner of his treating with them is so rational, so prudent, so affectionate, and every way so apt to gain the point, that it abundantly shows him to be in earnest, and leaves them inexcusable in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 30:15

See, I have set before thee this day ,.... Moses here returns to press the Israelites to the present observance of the laws, statutes, and judgments of one sort and another, he had been delivering to them; as being of great moment and importance to them, no other than life and good, and death and evil ; which are the effects and consequences of obedience and disobedience to them; a happy temporal life, and a continuance of it in the good land of Canaan, and an enjoyment of the blessings... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 30:15

Life and good - Present and future blessings. Death and evil - Present and future miseries: termed, Deuteronomy 30:19 , Life and death, blessing and cursing. And why were these set before them? 1. That they might comprehend their import. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 30:15

Verse 15 15.See, I have set before thee this day. A solemn injunction, similar to the foregoing ones, that the Israelites should consider how inestimable a blessing it was that God should have condescended to deposit His Law with them; and that if they did not receive it with reverence, the punishments for such foul ingratitude would be by no means light. For, in order to deprive them of the pretext of error, He separates them from the heathen nations, which through ignorance of the right way... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses concludes by solemnly adjuring the people, as he had set before them, in his proclamation of the Law and in his preaching, good and evil, life and death, to choose the former and eschew the latter, to love and serve the Lord which is life, and to shun apostasy and disobedience which are death (cf. Deuteronomy 11:26 , Deuteronomy 11:27 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 30:15-20

A dread alternative. While handling substantially the same momentous themes, the aged lawgiver, as if the thought were oppressing him that he should very soon speak his last word, becomes more and more intensely earnest, and mingles a solemnity and pathos which may well be followed by those whose work it is to "warn every man, and teach every man in all wisdom," that they may "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Here is presented to us a series of considerations, which are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 30:15-20

A last word. I. AN ALTERNATIVE . Life and death; good and evil ( Deuteronomy 30:15 ); blessing and cursing ( Deuteronomy 30:19 ). An alternative for the nation, but also for the individual. "Life" is more than existence—it is holy and happy existence. "Death" is not equivalent to non-existence. As respects the natural life, it is the separation of the living, thinking principle from the body, and is compatible with the survival of the soul in a future state. As respects the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 30:15-20

An alternative choice. The prophet's power to persuade and influence a people is great—unspeakably great; yet it is not irresistible. It has its limits. After all that has been said to him, a man feels that the determination and choice rest within himself. Reason may be convinced; judgment may give a decided verdict; still inclination may inordinately lean to the weaker side, and baffle all prudent calculations. The intense eagerness of Moses for the people's weal is a sublime spectacle of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Death and life set before the people. In this earnest word which concludes a section of his address to the people, Moses is summing up his deliverance. It has been called by Havernick "the classic passage" upon the subject of death and life as understood in Old Testament times. £ "Shut out from the true community of life ( Lebensgemeinschaft )," says Havernick," the sinner puts in only a pretended life ( Scheinleben ), without God, enduring and promoting ruin in himself, until... read more

Albert Barnes

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

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