boose_magoose/mh_parser
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity
master
mh_parser/matthew_henry/MHC05020.HTM

616 lines
28 KiB
Plaintext
Raw Permalink Normal View History

init
2023-11-30 02:23:35 +00:00
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Deuteronomy, Chapter XX].</TITLE>
<meta name="aesop" content="information">
<meta name="description" content=
"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
<meta name="keywords" content=
"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
</HEAD>
<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
on the Whole Bible</h1>
<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
</h3>
</center>
<HR>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
[<A HREF="MHC05019.HTM">Previous</A>]
[<A HREF="MHC05021.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
</TD></TR></TABLE>
<HR>
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>D E U T E R O N O M Y</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XX.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This chapter settles the militia, and establishes the laws and
ordinances of war,
I. Relating to the soldiers.
1. Those must be encouraged that were drawn up to battle,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
2. Those must be dismissed and sent back again whose private affairs
called for their attendance at home
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:5-7">ver. 5-7</A>),
or whose weakness and timidity unfitted them for service in the field,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:8,9">ver. 8, 9</A>.
II. Relating to the enemies they made war with.
1. The treaties they must make with the cities that were far off,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:10-15">ver. 10-15</A>.
2. The destruction they must make of the people into whose land they
were going,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:16-18">ver. 16-18</A>.
3. The care they must take, in besieging cities, not to destroy the
fruit-trees,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:19,20">ver. 19, 20</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="De20_1"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_2"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_3"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_4"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_5"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_6"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_7"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_8"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_9"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Directions Concerning War; Persons Excused from War.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and
seest horses, and chariots, <I>and</I> a people more than thou, be not
afraid of them: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God <I>is</I> with thee, which
brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
&nbsp; 2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that
the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
&nbsp; 3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day
unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear
not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
&nbsp; 4 For the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God <I>is</I> he that goeth with you, to fight
for you against your enemies, to save you.
&nbsp; 5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What
man <I>is there</I> that hath built a new house, and hath not
dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in
the battle, and another man dedicate it.
&nbsp; 6 And what man <I>is he</I> that hath planted a vineyard, and hath
not <I>yet</I> eaten of it? let him <I>also</I> go and return unto his
house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
&nbsp; 7 And what man <I>is there</I> that hath betrothed a wife, and hath
not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die
in the battle, and another man take her.
&nbsp; 8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and
they shall say, What man <I>is there that is</I> fearful and
fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his
brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
&nbsp; 9 And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of
speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the
armies to lead the people.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Israel was at this time to be considered rather as a camp than as a
kingdom, entering upon an enemy's country, and not yet settled in a
country of their own; and, besides the war they were now entering upon
in order to their settlement, even after their settlement they could
neither protect nor enlarge their coast without hearing the alarms of
war. It was therefore needful that they should have directions given
them in their military affairs; and in these verses they are directed
in managing, marshalling, and drawing up their own forces. And it is
observable that the discipline of war here prescribed is so far from
having any thing in it harsh or severe, as is usual in martial law,
that the intent of the whole is, on the contrary, to encourage the
soldiers, and to make their service easy to them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Those that were disposed to fight must be encouraged and animated
against their fears.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. Moses here gives a general encouragement, which the leaders and
commanders in the war must take to themselves: "<I>Be not afraid of
them,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
Though the enemy have ever so much the advantage by their numbers
(being more than thou), and by their cavalry (their armies being much
made up of horses and chariots, which thou art not allowed to
multiply), yet decline not coming to a battle with them, dread not the
issue, nor doubt of success." Two things they must encourage themselves
with in their wars, provided they kept close to their God and their
religion, otherwise they forfeited these encouragements:--
(1.) The presence of God with them: "<I>The Lord thy God is with
thee,</I> and therefore thou art not in danger, nor needest thou be
afraid." See
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+41:10">Isa. xli. 10</A>.
(2.) The experience they and their fathers had had of God's power and
goodness in <I>bringing them out of the land of Egypt,</I> in defiance
of Pharaoh and all his hosts, which was not only in general a proof of
the divine omnipotence, but to them in particular a pledge of what God
would do further for them. He that saved them from those greater
enemies would not suffer them to be run down by those that were every
way less considerable, and thus to have all he had done for them undone
again.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. This encouragement must be particularly addressed to the common
soldiers by a priest appointed, and, the Jews say, anointed, for that
purpose, whom they call <I>the anointed of the war,</I> a very proper
title for our anointed Redeemer, the captain of our salvation: This
priest, in God's name, was to animate the people; and who so fit to do
that as he whose office it was as priest to pray for them? For the best
encouragements arise from the precious promises made to the prayer of
faith. This priest must,
(1.) Charge them not to be afraid
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
for nothing weakens the hands so much as that which makes the heart
tremble,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
There is need of precept upon precept to this purport, as there is
here: <I>Let not your hearts be tender</I> (so the word is), to receive
all the impressions of fear, but let a believing confidence in the
power and promise of God harden them. <I>Fear not, and do not make
haste</I> (so the word is), for he that believeth doth not make more
haste than good speed. "Do not make haste either rashly to anticipate
your advantages or basely to fly off upon every disadvantage."
(2.) He must assure them of the presence of God with them, to own and
plead their righteous cause, and not only to save them from their
enemies, but to give them victory over them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
Note, Those have no reason to fear that have God with them. The giving
of this encouragement by a priest, one of the Lord's ministers,
intimates,
[1.] That it is very fit that armies should have chaplains, not only to
pray for them, but to preach to them, both to reprove that which would
hinder their success and to raise their hopes of it.
[2.] That it is the work of Christ's ministers to encourage his good
soldiers in their spiritual conflict with the world and the flesh, and
to assure them of a conquest, yea, more than a conquest, through Christ
that loved us.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Those that were indisposed to fight must be discharged, whether the
indisposition did arise,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. From the circumstances of a man's outward condition; as,
(1.) If he had lately built or purchased a new house, and had not taken
possession of it, had not dedicated it
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
that is, made a solemn festival for the entertainment of his friends,
that came to him to welcome him to his house; let him go home and take
the comfort of that which God had blessed him with, till, by enjoying
it for some time, he become less fond of it, and consequently less
disturbed in the war by the thoughts of it, and more willing to lie and
leave it. For this is the nature of all our worldly enjoyments, that
they please us best at first; after a while we see the vanity of them.
Some think that this dedication of their houses was a religious act,
and that they took possession of them with prayers and praises, with a
solemn devoting of themselves and all their enjoyments to the service
and honour of God. David penned the
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+30:1-12">30th Psalm</A>
on such an occasion, as appears by the title. Note, He that has a house
of his own should dedicate it to God by setting up and keeping up the
fear and worship of God in it, that he may have a church in his house;
and nothing should be suffered to divert a man from this. Or,
(2.) If a man had been at a great expense to <I>plant a vineyard,</I>
and longed to <I>eat of the fruit</I> of it, which for the first three
years he was forbidden to do by the law
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+19:23-25">Lev. xix. 23</A>,
&c.), let him go home, if he has a mind, and gratify his own humour
with the fruits of it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
See how indulgent God is to his people in innocent things, and how far
from being a hard Master. Since we naturally covet to eat the labour of
our hands, rather than an Israelite should be crossed therein, his
service in war shall be dispensed with., Or,
(3.) If a man had made up his mind to be married, and the marriage were
not solemnized, he was at liberty to return
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
as also to tarry at home for one year after marriage
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+24:5"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 5</A>),
for the terrors of war would be disagreeable to a man who had just
welcomed the soft scene of domestic attachment. And God would not be
served in his wars by pressed men, that were forced into the army
against their will, but they must all be perfectly volunteers.
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:3">Ps. cx. 3</A>,
<I>Thy people shall be willing.</I> In running the Christian race, and
fighting the good fight of faith, we must <I>lay aside every
weight,</I> and all that which would clog and divert our minds and make
us unwilling. The Jewish writers agree that this liberty to return was
allowed only in those wars which they made voluntarily (as bishop
Patrick expresses it), not those which were made by the divine command
against Amalek and the Canaanites, in which every man was bound to
fight.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. If a man's indisposition to fight arose from the weakness and
timidity of his own spirit, he had leave to return from the war,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
This proclamation Gideon made to his army, and it detached above
two-thirds of them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:3">Judg. vii. 3</A>.
Some make the fearfulness and faintheartedness here supposed to arise
from the terrors of an evil conscience, which would make a man afraid
to look death and danger in the face. It was then thought that men of
loose and profligate lives would not be good soldiers, but must needs
be both cowards in an army and curses to it, the shame and trouble of
the camp; and therefore those who were conscious to themselves of
notorious guilt were shaken off. But it seems rather to be meant of a
natural fearfulness. It was partly in kindness to them that they had
their discharge (for, though shamed, they were eased); but much more in
kindness to the rest of the army, who were hereby freed from the
incumbrance of such as were useless and unserviceable, while the danger
of infection from their cowardice and flight was prevented. This is the
reason here given: <I>Lest his brethren's heart fail as well as his
heart.</I> Fear is catching, and in an army is of most pernicious
consequence. We must take heed that we <I>fear not the fear of those
that are afraid,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:12">Isa. viii. 12</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. It is here ordered that, when all the cowards were dismissed, then
captains should be nominated
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
for it was in a special manner necessary that the leaders and
commanders should be men of courage. That reform therefore must be
made when the army was first mustered and marshalled. The soldiers of
Christ have need of courage, that they may quit themselves like men,
and endure hardness like good soldiers, especially the officers of his
army.</P>
<A NAME="De20_10"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_11"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_12"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_13"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_14"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_15"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_16"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_17"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_18"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_19"> </A>
<A NAME="De20_20"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Proclamations of War; Directions Concerning War.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>10 When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then
proclaim peace unto it.
&nbsp; 11 And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open
unto thee, then it shall be, <I>that</I> all the people <I>that is</I>
found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall
serve thee.
&nbsp; 12 And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war
against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:
&nbsp; 13 And when the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God hath delivered it into thine
hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the
sword:
&nbsp; 14 But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all
that is in the city, <I>even</I> all the spoil thereof, shalt thou
take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies,
which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God hath given thee.
&nbsp; 15 Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities <I>which are</I> very far
off from thee, which <I>are</I> not of the cities of these nations.
&nbsp; 16 But of the cities of these people, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God
doth give thee <I>for</I> an inheritance, thou shalt save alive
nothing that breatheth:
&nbsp; 17 But thou shalt utterly destroy them; <I>namely,</I> the Hittites,
and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the
Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God hath commanded
thee:
&nbsp; 18 That they teach you not to do after all their abominations,
which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God.
&nbsp; 19 When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war
against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof
by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and
thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field <I>is</I>
man's <I>life</I>) to employ <I>them</I> in the siege:
&nbsp; 20 Only the trees which thou knowest that they <I>be</I> not trees
for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt
build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until
it be subdued.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
They are here directed what method to take in dealing with the cities
(these only are mentioned,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>,
but doubtless the armies in the field, and the nations they had
occasion to deal with, are likewise intended) upon which they made war.
They must not make a descent upon any of their neighbours till they had
first given them fair notice, by a public manifesto, or remonstrance,
stating the ground of their quarrel with them. In dealing with the
worst of enemies, the laws of justice and honour must be observed; and,
as the sword must never be taken in hand without cause, so not without
cause shown. War is an appeal, in which the merits of the cause must be
set forth.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Even to the proclamation of war must be subjoined a tender of peace,
if they would accept of it upon reasonable terms. That is (say the
Jewish writers), "upon condition that they renounce idolatry, worship
the God of Israel, as proselytes of the gate that were not circumcised,
pay to their new masters a yearly tribute, and submit to their
government:" on these terms the process of war should be stayed, and
their conquerors, upon this submission, were to be their protectors,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
Some think that even the seven nations of Canaan were to have this
offer of peace made to them; and the offer was no jest or mockery,
though <I>it was of the Lord to harden their hearts</I> that they
should not accept it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+11:20">Josh. xi. 20</A>.
Others think that they are excluded
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>)
not only from the benefit of that law
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>)
which confines military execution to the males only, but from the
benefit of this also, which allows not to make war till peace was
refused. And I see not how they could proclaim peace to those who by
the law were to be utterly rooted out, and to whom they were to show no
mercy,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+7:2"><I>ch.</I> vii. 2</A>.
But for any other nation which they made war upon, for the enlarging of
their coast, the avenging of any wrong done, or the recovery of any
right denied, they must first proclaim peace to the. Let this show,
1. God's grace in dealing with sinners: though he might most justly
and easily destroy them, yet, having no pleasure in their ruin, he
proclaims peace, and beseeches them to be reconciled; so that those who
lie most obnoxious to his justice, and ready to fall as sacrifices to
it, if they make him an answer of peace, and open to him, upon
condition that they will be tributaries and servants to him, shall not
only be saved from ruin, but incorporated with his Israel, as
fellow-citizens with the saints.
2. Let it show us our duty in dealing with our brethren: if any quarrel
happen, let us not only be ready to hearken to the proposals of peace,
but forward to make such proposals. We should never make use of the
law till we have first tried to accommodate matters in variance
amicably, and without expense and vexation. <I>We</I> must be for
peace, whoever are for war.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. If the offers of peace were not accepted, then they must proceed to
push on the war. And let those to whom God offers peace know that if
they reject the offer, and take not the benefit of it within the time
limited, judgment will rejoice against mercy in the execution as much
as now mercy rejoices against judgment in the reprieve. In this case,
1. There is a promise implied that they should be victorious. It is
taken for granted that <I>the Lord their God would deliver it into
their hands,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
Note, Those enterprises which we undertake by a divine warrant, and
prosecute by divine direction, we may expect to succeed in. If we take
God's method, we shall have his blessing.
2. They are ordered, in honour to the public justice, to put all the
soldiers to the sword, for them I understand by <I>every male</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
all that bore arms (as all then did that were able); but the spoil they
are allowed to take to themselves
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
in which were reckoned the women and children. Note, A justifiable
property is acquired in that which is won in lawful war. God himself
owns the title: <I>The Lord thy God gives it thee;</I> and therefore he
must be owned in it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+44:3">Ps. xliv. 3</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. The nations of Canaan are excepted from the merciful provisions
made by this law. Remnants might be left of the cities that were very
far off
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
because by them they were not in so much danger of being infected with
idolatry, nor was their country so directly and immediately intended in
the promise; but of the cities which were given to Israel for an
inheritance no remnants must be left of their inhabitants
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
for it put a slight upon the promise to admit Canaanites to share with
them in the peculiar land of promise; and for another reason they must
be utterly destroyed
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
because, since it could not be expected that they should be cured of
their idolatry, if they were left with that plague-sore upon them they
would be in danger of infecting God's Israel, who were too apt to take
the infection: <I>They will teach you to do after their
abominations</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
to introduce their customs into the worship of the God of Israel, and
by degrees to forsake him and to worship false gods; for those that
dare violate the second commandment will not long keep to the first.
Strange worships open the door to strange deities.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. Care is here taken that in the besieging of cities there should not
be any destruction made of fruit-trees,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:19-20"><I>v.</I> 19-20</A>.
In those times, when besiegers forced their way, not as now with bombs
and cannon-ball, but with battering rams, they had occasion for much
timber in carrying on their sieges: now because, in the heat of war,
men are not apt to consider, as they ought, the public good, it is
expressly provided that fruit-trees should not be used as timber-trees.
That reason, <I>for the tree of the field is man's</I> (the word
<I>life</I> we supply), all the ancient versions, the Septuagint,
Targums, &c., read, <I>For is the tree of the field a man?</I> Or
<I>the tree of the field is not a man, that it should come against thee
in the siege,</I> or <I>retire from thee into the bulwark.</I> "Do not
brutishly vent thy rage against the trees that can do thee no harm."
But our translation seems most agreeable to the intent of the law, and
it teaches us,
1. That God is a better friend to man than man is to himself; and God's
law, which we are apt to complain of as a heavy yoke, consults our
interest and comfort, while our own appetites and passions, of which we
are so indulgent, are really enemies to our welfare. The intent of many
of the divine precepts is to restrain us from destroying that which is
our life and food.
2. That armies and their commanders are not allowed to make what
desolation they please in the countries that are the seat of war.
Military rage must always be checked and ruled with reason. War,
though carried on with ever so much caution, is destructive enough, and
should not be made more so than is absolutely necessary. Generous
spirits will show themselves tender, not only of men's lives, but of
their livelihoods; for, though <I>the life is more than meat,</I> yet
it will soon be nothing without meat.
3. The Jews understand this as a prohibition of all wilful waste upon
any account whatsoever. No fruit-tree is to be destroyed unless it be
barren, and cumber the ground. "Nay," they maintain, "whoso wilfully
breaks vessels, tears clothes, stops wells, pulls down buildings, or
destroys meat, transgresses this law: <I>Thou shalt not destroy.</I>"
Christ took care that the broken meat should be gathered up, that
nothing might be lost. Every creature of God is good, and, as nothing
is to be refused, so nothing is to be abused. We may live to want what
we carelessly waste.</P>
<!-- (End Body) -->
<HR>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
[<A HREF="MHC05019.HTM">Previous</A>]
[<A HREF="MHC05021.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
</TABLE>
<HR>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<!--Matthew_Henry's_Commentary_on_the_Whole_Bible:_Deuteronomy_XX.--><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank"><b>Back to Bibles Net . Com - Online Christian Library </b></a><br>
<a href="http://biblesnet.com/download.html" target="_blank"><br>
<b>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Free Download</b></a><br>
<br>
<A HREF="http://biblesnet.com/contactus.html" target="_blank"><strong>Contact Us </strong></A><br>
</TD></TR></TABLE>
<HR>
</BODY>
</HTML>
Reference in New Issue Copy Permalink