Deuteronomy 4:27 - Chapter 4:44—chapter 26:19. Summary

Few in number ; literally, men of number , i . e . that may be counted; few as compared with the heathen among whom they should be dispersed ( Genesis 34:30 ). Shall lead you . The verb here ( נִהֵג , Piel of נָהַג ) is frequently used in the sense of conducting gently and kindly ( Isaiah 49:10 ; Isaiah 63:14 ; Psalms 48:14 ; Psalms 78:52 ); but it also means to drive, to carry off, to convey forcibly ( Exodus 14:25 ; Genesis 31:26 ; Exodus 10:13 ; Psalms 78:26 ); the connection shows that it is in the latter sense it is to be taken here. Dispersed among the heathen, they, who had dishonored God by making an image to represent him, should be compelled to do service to mere dead idols, the work of men's hands, which not only could not hear or see, as God can, but also could not-perform even such animal functions as eating and smelling ( Psalms 115:4-7 ; Jeremiah 10:3-9 ). These idols are called "gods" by Moses, because they were so counted by those who worshipped them; elsewhere he stigmatizes them as "abominations," things to be loathed and abhorred ( שִׁקּוּצִים , Deuteronomy 27:15 ; Deuteronomy 29:17 ). As had been their sin, so should be their punishment; as they had dishonored God, so should they be themselves dishonored; as they had worshipped by an image him who is spirit and without form, they should be made to sink down to an utterly materialized worship, that of mere idols, the work of men's hands; as they had apostatized from the one holy and true God, they should be degraded to become the servants of abominations, objects of loathing and abhorrence ( Jeremiah 16:13 ; Acts 7:42 ). God, however, would not utterly cast them off: if, in their misery and degradation, they should repent and turn again to him and seek him sincerely and earnestly, they should find him; for he is a merciful God, and mindful of the covenant which he swam unto their fathers (cf. Le 26:39, etc.).