Deuteronomy 32:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:19-25

The method of this song follows the method of the predictions in the foregoing chapter, and therefore, after the revolt of Israel from God, described in the Deut. 32:15, 16, here follow immediately the resolves of divine Justice concerning them; we deceive ourselves if we think that God will be thus mocked by a foolish faithless people, that play fast and loose with him. I. He had delighted in them, but now he would reject them with detestation and disdain, Deut. 32:19. When the Lord saw their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:21

They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God ,.... With a false messiah; for after the death of Jesus, the true Messiah, God as well as man, many false Christs arose, as he predicted, and were received for a time, who were mere men, and deceivers; and their now vainly expected messiah, or whom they look for, according to their own sense of him, is no other than a mere creature, and not God: or with the idol of their own righteousness; which, as an idol is nothing in the world,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:21

They have moved me to jealousy - This verse contains a very pointed promise of the calling of the Gentiles, in consequence of the rejection of the Jews, threatened Deuteronomy 32:19 ; and to this great event it is applied by St. Paul, Romans 10:19 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:21

Verse 21 21.They have moved me to jealousy. He now proceeds further, viz., that God, after having withdrawn Himself for a time, would, at length be the open enemy of the people, so as to repay them in kind. And he points out the mode of this retaliation, that as they had insultingly brought into antagonism with God empty phantoms and vanities, so on His part, He would exalt against them barbarous and worthless nations. This similitude is also taken from jealous husbands, who, when they perceive... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:15-25

Sowing and reaping. The connection between sin and suffering is natural, organic, and universal. Suffering, in some form, is the proper development of sin. Like the plants of nature, sin has its seed within itself. I. WE HAVE A CASE OF AGGRAVATED SIN . 1. It was a wanton abuse of special cloudiness . The splendid gifts of providence, which ought to have bound them by golden ties of obligation to God, were erected into barriers to shut out God from them. An inner... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:19-25

An unfaithful people provoked to jealousy by God. This paragraph is the antithesis of the preceding one. In form the expressions are archaic. The principles underlying these ancient forms of expression are for all the ages. In fact, there are few of the Old Testament passages which are more pointedly referred to in the New Testament; and none, the principles of which are more frequently reproduced. The various clauses are seriatim explained in the Exposition. We propose but to develop... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:19-27

A God provoked. Consider here— I. THE REALITY OF WRATH IN GOD . Let it not be minimized or explained away. "Instead of being shocked at the thought that God is wrathful, we should rather ask, With whom? and For what? A God without wrath, and a God who is wrathful on other accounts than for sin, is not a God, but an idol" (Hengstenberg). It is only, as this writer observes, when "man himself is not displeased with sin, when it assumes to him the appearance of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:19-33

Because of their rebellion. God would cast them off and visit them with terrible calamities. 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 32:20-28

The Divine mind influenced by reasons. Moses, in uttering this song, is "borne along" ( 2 Peter 1:21 ) by a power working through him and yet not of him, to make a most remarkable assertion in the Name of Jehovah; viz. that Israel's Deliverer was moved by fear of the wrath of the enemy not to destroy them altogether! How is this to be understood? Some might perhaps pass it over as a piece of obsolete anthropomorphism. So will not we. To us, many a sentence in the grand old volume,... read more

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