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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>D E U T E R O N O M Y</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have,
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I. A most earnest and pathetic exhortation to obedience, both in
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general, and in some particular instances, backed with a great variety
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of very pressing arguments, repeated again and again, and set before
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them in the most moving and affectionate manner imaginable,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:1-40">ver. 1-40</A>.
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II. The appointing of the cities of refuge on that side Jordan,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:41-43">ver. 41-43</A>.
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III. The particular description of the place where Moses delivered the
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following repetition of the law,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:44-49">ver. 44</A>,
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&c.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Exhortations and Arguments.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto
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the judgments, which I teach you, for to do <I>them,</I> that ye may
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live, and go in and possess the land which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of your
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fathers giveth you.
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2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither
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shall ye diminish <I>ought</I> from it, that ye may keep the
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commandments of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God which I command you.
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3 Your eyes have seen what the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> did because of Baal-peor:
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for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God hath
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destroyed them from among you.
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4 But ye that did cleave unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God <I>are</I> alive
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every one of you this day.
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5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land
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whither ye go to possess it.
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6 Keep therefore and do <I>them;</I> for this <I>is</I> your wisdom and
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your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear
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all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation <I>is</I> a wise
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and understanding people.
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7 For what nation <I>is there so</I> great, who <I>hath</I> God <I>so</I> nigh
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unto them, as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our God <I>is</I> in all <I>things that</I> we call
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upon him <I>for?</I>
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8 And what nation <I>is there so</I> great, that hath statutes and
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judgments <I>so</I> righteous as all this law, which I set before you
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this day?
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9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest
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thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they
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depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them
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thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
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10 <I>Specially</I> the day that thou stoodest before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy
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God in Horeb, when the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto me, Gather me the people
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together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn
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to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and
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<I>that</I> they may teach their children.
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11 And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the
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mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with
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darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.
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12 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye
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heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only <I>ye
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heard</I> a voice.
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13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded
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you to perform, <I>even</I> ten commandments; and he wrote them upon
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two tables of stone.
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14 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded me at that time to teach you statutes
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and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go
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over to possess it.
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15 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no
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manner of similitude on the day <I>that</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto you in
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Horeb out of the midst of the fire:
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16 Lest ye corrupt <I>yourselves,</I> and make you a graven image,
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the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
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17 The likeness of any beast that <I>is</I> on the earth, the
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likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
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18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the
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likeness of any fish that <I>is</I> in the waters beneath the earth:
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19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou
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seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, <I>even</I> all the host
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of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them,
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which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God hath divided unto all nations under the
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whole heaven.
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20 But the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath taken you, and brought you forth out of
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the iron furnace, <I>even</I> out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of
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inheritance, as <I>ye are</I> this day.
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21 Furthermore the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> was angry with me for your sakes, and
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sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go
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in unto that good land, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God giveth thee <I>for</I>
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an inheritance:
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22 But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but
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ye shall go over, and possess that good land.
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23 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven
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image, <I>or</I> the likeness of any <I>thing,</I> which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God
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hath forbidden thee.
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24 For the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God <I>is</I> a consuming fire, <I>even</I> a jealous
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God.
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25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and
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ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt
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<I>yourselves,</I> and make a graven image, <I>or</I> the likeness of any
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<I>thing,</I> and shall do evil in the sight of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God, to
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provoke him to anger:
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26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day,
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that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye
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go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong <I>your</I> days
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upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
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27 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall scatter you among the nations, and ye
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shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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shall lead you.
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28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood
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and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
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29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God, thou
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shalt find <I>him,</I> if thou seek him with all thy heart and with
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all thy soul.
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30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come
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upon thee, <I>even</I> in the latter days, if thou turn to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
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31 (For the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God <I>is</I> a merciful God;) he will not
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forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of
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thy fathers which he sware unto them.
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32 For ask now of the days that are past, which were before
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thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and
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<I>ask</I> from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there
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hath been <I>any such thing</I> as this great thing <I>is,</I> or hath been
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heard like it?
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33 Did <I>ever</I> people hear the voice of God speaking out of the
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midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
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34 Or hath God assayed to go <I>and</I> take him a nation from the
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midst of <I>another</I> nation, by temptations, by signs, and by
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wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out
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arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your
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God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
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35 Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> he <I>is</I> God; <I>there is</I> none else beside him.
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36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might
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instruct thee: and upon earth he showed thee his great fire; and
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thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
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37 And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their
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seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his
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mighty power out of Egypt;
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38 To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier
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than thou <I>art,</I> to bring thee in, to give thee their land <I>for</I>
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an inheritance, as <I>it is</I> this day.
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39 Know therefore this day, and consider <I>it</I> in thine heart,
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that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> he <I>is</I> God in heaven above, and upon the earth
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beneath: <I>there is</I> none else.
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40 Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his
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commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well
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with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest
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prolong <I>thy</I> days upon the earth, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God giveth
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thee, for ever.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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This most lively and excellent discourse is so entire, and the
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particulars of it are so often repeated, that we must take it
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altogether in the exposition of it, and endeavour to digest it into
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proper heads, for we cannot divide it into paragraphs.</P>
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<P>
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I. In general, it is the use and application of the foregoing history;
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it comes in by way of inference from it: <I>Now therefore harken, O
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Israel,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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This use we should make of the review of God's providences concerning
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us, we should by them be quickened and engaged to duty and obedience.
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The histories of the years of ancient times should in like manner be
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improved by us.</P>
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<P>
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II. The scope and drift of his discourse is to persuade them to keep
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close to God and to his service, and not to forsake him for any other
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god, nor in any instance to decline from their duty to him. Now observe
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what he says to them, with a great deal of divine rhetoric, both by way
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of exhortation and direction, and also by way of motive and argument to
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enforce his exhortations.</P>
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<P>
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1. See here how he charges and commands them, and shows them <I>what is
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good, and what the Lord requires of them.</I></P>
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<P>
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(1.) He demands their diligent attention to the word of God, and to the
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statutes and judgments that were taught them: <I>Hearken, O Israel.</I>
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He means, not only that they must now give him the hearing, but that
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whenever the book of the law was read to them, or read by them, they
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should be attentive to it. "Hearken to the statutes, as containing the
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great commands of God and the great concerns of your own souls, and
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therefore challenging your utmost attention." At Horeb God had <I>made
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them hear his words</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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hear them with a witness; the attention which was then constrained by
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the circumstances of the delivery ought ever after to be engaged by the
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excellency of the things themselves. What God so <I>spoke once,</I> we
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should <I>hear twice,</I> hear often.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) He charges them to preserve the divine law pure and entire among
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them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Keep it pure, and do not add to it; keep it entire, and do not diminish
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from it. Not in practice, so some: "You shall not add by committing the
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evil which the law forbids, nor diminish by omitting the good which the
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law requires." Not in opinion, so others: "You shall not add your own
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inventions, as if the divine institutions were defective, nor
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introduce, much less impose, any rites of religious worship other than
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what God has appointed; nor shall you diminish, or set aside, any thing
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that is appointed, as needless or superfluous." God's work is perfect,
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nothing can be put to it, nor taken from it, without making it the
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worse. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+3:14">Eccl. iii. 14</A>.
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The Jews understand it as prohibiting the alteration of the text or
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letter of the law, even in the least jot or tittle; and to their great
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care and exactness herein we are very much indebted, under God, for the
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purity and integrity of the Hebrew code. We find a fence like this
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made about the New Testament in the close of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+22:18,19">Rev. xxii. 18, 19</A>.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) He charges them to keep God's <I>commandments</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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to <I>do them</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:5,14"><I>v.</I> 5, 14</A>),
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to <I>keep and do them</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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to <I>perform the covenant,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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Hearing must be in order to doing, knowledge in order to practice.
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God's commandments were the way they must keep in, the rule they must
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keep to; they must govern themselves by the moral precepts, perform
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their devotion according to the divine ritual, and administer justice
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according to the judicial law. He concludes his discourse
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>)
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with this repeated charge: <I>Thou shalt keep his statutes and his
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commandments which I command thee.</I> What are laws made for but to be
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observed and obeyed?</P>
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<P>
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(4.) He charges them to be very strict and careful in their observance
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of the law
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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<I>Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently;</I> and
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
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<I>Take you therefore good heed unto yourselves;</I> and again
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
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<I>Take heed to yourselves.</I> Those that would be religious must be
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very cautious, and walk circumspectly. Considering how many temptations
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we are compassed about with, and what corrupt inclinations we have in
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our own bosoms, we have great need to look about us and to keep our
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hearts with all diligence. Those cannot walk aright that walk
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carelessly and at all adventures.</P>
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<P>
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(5.) He charges them particularly to take heed of the sin of idolatry,
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that sin which of all others they would be most tempted to by the
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customs of the nations, which they were most addicted to by the
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corruption of their hearts, and which would be most provoking to God
|
|
and of the most pernicious consequences to themselves: <I>Take good
|
|
heed,</I> lest in this matter <I>you corrupt yourselves,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
Two sorts of idolatry he cautions them against:--
|
|
|
|
[1.] The worship of images, however by them they might intend to
|
|
worship the true God, as they had done in the golden calf, so changing
|
|
the <I>truth of God into a lie</I> and his <I>glory into shame.</I> The
|
|
second commandment is expressly directed against this, and is here
|
|
enlarged upon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:15-18"><I>v.</I> 15-18</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Take heed <I>lest you corrupt yourselves,</I>" that is, "lest you
|
|
debauch yourselves;" for those that think to make images of God form in
|
|
their minds such notions of him as must needs be an inlet to all
|
|
impieties; and it is intimated that it is a spiritual adultery. "And
|
|
take heed lest you destroy yourselves. If any thing ruin you, this will
|
|
be it. Whatever you do, make no similitude of God, either in a human
|
|
shape, <I>male of female,</I> or in the shape of any <I>beast or fowl,
|
|
serpent or fish;</I>" for the heathen worshipped their gods by images
|
|
of all these kinds, being either not able to form, or not willing to
|
|
admit, that plain demonstration which we find,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+8:6">Hos. viii. 6</A>:
|
|
|
|
<I>The workman made it, therefore it is not God.</I> To represent an
|
|
infinite Spirit by an image, and the great Creator by the image of a
|
|
creature, is the greatest affront we can put upon God and the greatest
|
|
cheat we can put upon ourselves. As an argument against their making
|
|
images of God, he urges it very much upon them that when God made
|
|
himself known to them at Horeb he did it by a voice of words which
|
|
sounded in their ears, to teach them that <I>faith comes by
|
|
hearing,</I> and God in the word is nigh us; but no image was presented
|
|
to their eye, for to see God as he is is reserved for our happiness in
|
|
the other world, and to see him as he is not will do us hurt and no
|
|
good in this world. You saw <I>no similitude</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>no manner of similitude,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Probably they expected to have seen some similitude, for they were
|
|
ready to <I>break through unto the Lord to gaze,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+19:21">Exod. xix. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
But all they saw was <I>light</I> and <I>fire,</I> and nothing that
|
|
they could make an image of, God an infinite wisdom so ordering his
|
|
manifestation of himself because of the <I>peril of idolatry.</I> It is
|
|
said indeed of Moses that he <I>beheld the similitude of the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+12:8">Num. xii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
God allowing him that favour because he was above the temptation of
|
|
idolatry; but for the people who had lately come from admiring the
|
|
idols of Egypt, they must see no resemblance of God, lest they should
|
|
have pretended to copy it, and so should have received the second
|
|
commandment in vain; "for" (says bishop Patrick) "they would have
|
|
thought that this forbade them only to make any representation of God
|
|
besides that wherein he showed himself to them, in which they would
|
|
have concluded it lawful to represent him." Let this be a caution to us
|
|
to take heed of making images of God in our fancy and imagination when
|
|
we are worshipping him, lest thereby we corrupt ourselves. There may be
|
|
idols in the heart, where there are none in the sanctuary.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The worship of the sun, moon, and stars, is another sort of
|
|
idolatry which they were cautioned against,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was the most ancient species of idolatry and the most plausible,
|
|
drawing the adoration to those creatures that not only are in a
|
|
situation above us, but are most sensibly glorious in themselves and
|
|
most generally serviceable to the world. And the plausibleness of it
|
|
made it the more dangerous. It is intimated here, <I>First,</I> How
|
|
strong the temptation is to sense; for the caution is, <I>Lest thou
|
|
shouldest be driven to worship them</I> by the strong impulse of a vain
|
|
imagination and the impetuous torrent of the customs of the nations.
|
|
The heart is supposed to <I>walk after the eye,</I> which, in our
|
|
corrupt and degenerate state, it is very apt to do. "<I>When thou seest
|
|
the sun, moon, and stars,</I> thou wilt so admire their height and
|
|
brightness, their regular motion and powerful influence, that thou wilt
|
|
be strongly tempted to give that glory to them which is due to him that
|
|
made them, and made them what they are to us--gave them their beings,
|
|
and made them blessings to the world." It seems there was need of a
|
|
great deal of resolution to arm them against this temptation, so weak
|
|
was their faith in an invisible God and an invisible world.
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> Yet he shows how weak the temptation would be to those
|
|
that would use their reason; for these pretended deities, the <I>sun,
|
|
moon, and stars,</I> were only blessings which the Lord their God, whom
|
|
they were obliged to worship, had imparted to all nations. It is absurd
|
|
to worship them, for they are man's servants, were made and ordained to
|
|
give light on earth; and shall we serve those that were made to serve
|
|
us? The sun, in Hebrew is called <I>shemesh,</I> which signifies a
|
|
<I>servant,</I> for it is the minister-general of this visible world,
|
|
and holds the candle to all mankind; let it not then be worshipped as a
|
|
lord. Moreover, they are God's gifts; he has imparted them; whatever
|
|
benefit we have by them, we owe it to him; it is therefore highly
|
|
injurious to him to give that honour and praise to them which is due to
|
|
him only.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(6.) He charges them to teach their children to observe the laws of
|
|
God: <I>Teach them to thy sons, and thy sons' sons</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>that they may teach their children,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
[1.] Care must be taken in general to preserve the entail of religion
|
|
among them, and to transmit the knowledge and worship of God to
|
|
posterity; for the kingdom of God in Israel was designed to be
|
|
perpetual, if they did not forfeit the privilege of it.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Parents must, in order hereunto, particularly take care to teach
|
|
their own children the fear of God, and to train them up in an
|
|
observance of all his commandments.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(7.) He charges them never to forget their duty: <I>Take heed lest you
|
|
forget the covenant of the Lord your God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though God is ever mindful of the covenant, we are apt to forget it;
|
|
and this is at the bottom of all our departures from God. We have need
|
|
therefore to watch against all those things which would put the
|
|
covenant out of our minds, and to watch over our own hearts, lest at
|
|
any time we let it slip; and so we must take heed lest at any time we
|
|
forget our religion, lest we lose it or leave it off. Care and caution,
|
|
and holy watchfulness, are the best helps against a bad memory. These
|
|
are the directions and commands he gives them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Let us see now what are the motives or arguments with which he backs
|
|
these exhortations. How does he order the cause before them, and fill
|
|
his mouth with arguments! He has a great deal to say on God's behalf.
|
|
Some of his topics are indeed peculiar to that people, yet applicable
|
|
to us. But, upon the whole, it is evident that religion has reason on
|
|
its side, the powerful charms of which all that are irreligious
|
|
wilfully stop their ears against.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He urges the greatness, glory, and goodness, of God. Did we
|
|
consider what a God he is with whom we have to do, we should surely
|
|
make conscience of our duty to him and not dare to sin against him. He
|
|
reminds them here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That the Lord Jehovah is the <I>one and only living and true
|
|
God.</I> This they must <I>know and consider,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
There are many things which we know, but are not the better for,
|
|
because we do not consider them, we do not apply them to ourselves, nor
|
|
draw proper inferences from them. This is a truth so evident that it
|
|
cannot but be known, and so influential that, if it were duly
|
|
considered, it would effectually reform the world, <I>That the Lord
|
|
Jehovah he is God,</I> an infinite and eternal Being, self-existent and
|
|
self-sufficient, and the fountain of all being, power, and motion--that
|
|
he is <I>God in heaven above,</I> clothed with all the glory and Lord
|
|
of all the hosts of the upper world, and that he is God <I>upon earth
|
|
beneath,</I> which, though distant from the throne of his glory, is not
|
|
out of the reach of his sight or power, and though despicable and mean
|
|
is not below his care and cognizance. And <I>there is none else,</I> no
|
|
true and living God but himself. All the deities of the heathen were
|
|
counterfeits and usurpers; nor did any of them so much as pretend to be
|
|
universal monarchs in heaven and earth, but only local deities. The
|
|
Israelites, who worshipped no other than the supreme
|
|
<I>Numen--Divinity,</I> were for ever inexcusable if they either
|
|
changed their God or neglected him.
|
|
|
|
[2.] That he is a <I>consuming fire, a jealous God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Take heed of offending him, for, <I>First,</I> He has a jealous eye to
|
|
discern an affront; he must have your entire affection and adoration,
|
|
and will by no means endure a rival. God's jealousy over us is a good
|
|
reason for our godly jealousy over ourselves. <I>Secondly,</I> He has a
|
|
heavy hand to punish an affront, especially in his worship, for therein
|
|
he is in a special manner jealous. He is a <I>consuming fire;</I> his
|
|
wrath against sinners is so; it is dreadful and destroying, it is a
|
|
<I>fiery indignation</I> which will <I>devour the adversaries,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:27">Heb. x. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Fire consumes that only which is fuel for it, so the wrath of God
|
|
fastens upon those only who, by their own sin, have fitted themselves
|
|
for destruction,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:13,Isa+27:4">1 Cor. iii. 13; Isa. xxvii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Even in the New Testament we find the same argument urged upon us as a
|
|
reason why we should serve <I>God with reverence</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:28,29">Heb. xii. 28, 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
because though he is our God, and a rejoicing light to those that serve
|
|
him faithfully, yet he is a consuming fire to those that trifle with
|
|
him. <I>Thirdly,</I> That yet he is <I>a merciful God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
It comes in here as an encouragement to repentance, but might serve as
|
|
an inducement to obedience, and a consideration proper to prevent their
|
|
apostasy. Shall we forsake a merciful God, who will never forsake us,
|
|
as it follows here, if we be faithful unto him? Whither can we go to
|
|
better ourselves? Shall we forget the covenant of our God, who will not
|
|
<I>forget the covenant of our fathers?</I> Let us be held to our duty
|
|
by the bonds of love, and prevailed with by the mercies of God to
|
|
cleave to him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He urges their relation to this God, his authority over them and
|
|
their obligations to him. "The commandments you are to keep and do are
|
|
not mine," says Moses, "not my inventions, not my injunctions, but they
|
|
are the commandments of the Lord, framed by infinite wisdom, enacted by
|
|
sovereign power. He is the <I>Lord God of your fathers</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
so that you are his by inheritance: your fathers were his, and you were
|
|
born in his house. He is the <I>Lord your God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
so that you are his by your own consent. He is the <I>Lord my God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
so that I treat with you as his agent and ambassador;" and in his name
|
|
Moses delivered unto them all that, and that only, which he had
|
|
received from the Lord.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He urges the wisdom of being religious: <I>For this is your wisdom
|
|
in the sight of the nations,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
In keeping God's commandments,
|
|
|
|
[1.] They would act wisely for themselves; <I>This is your wisdom.</I>
|
|
It is not only agreeable to right reason, but highly conducive to our
|
|
true interest; this is one of the first and most ancient maxims of
|
|
divine revelation. <I>The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+28:28">Job xxviii. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They would answer the expectations of their neighbours, who, upon
|
|
reading or hearing the precepts of the law that was given them, would
|
|
conclude that certainly the people that were governed by this law were
|
|
a wise and understanding people. Great things may justly be looked for
|
|
from those who are guided by divine revelation, and unto whom are
|
|
committed the oracles of God. They must needs be wiser and better than
|
|
other people; and so they are if they are ruled by the rules that are
|
|
given them; and if they are not, though reproach may for their sakes be
|
|
cast upon the religion they profess, yet it will in the end certainly
|
|
return upon themselves to their eternal confusion. Those that enjoy the
|
|
benefit of divine light and laws ought to conduct themselves so as to
|
|
support their own reputation for wisdom and honour (see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+10:1">Eccl. x. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
that God may be glorified thereby.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) He urges the singular advantages which they enjoyed by virtue of
|
|
the happy establishment they were under,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Our communion with God (which is the highest honour and happiness we
|
|
are capable of in this world) is kept up by the word and prayer; in
|
|
both these Israel were happy above any people under heaven.
|
|
|
|
[1.] Never were any people so privileged in speaking to God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was nigh unto them in all that they called upon him for, ready to
|
|
answer their enquiries and resolve them by his oracle, ready to answer
|
|
their requests and to grant them by a particular providence. When they
|
|
had cried unto God for bread, for water, for healing, they had found
|
|
him near them, to succour and relieve them, a very present help, and in
|
|
the midst of them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+46:1,5">Ps. xlvi. 1, 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
his ear open to their prayers. Observe, <I>First,</I> It is the
|
|
character of God's Israel that on all occasions they call upon him, in
|
|
every thing they make their requests known to God. They do nothing but
|
|
what they consult him in, they desire nothing but what they come to him
|
|
for. <I>Secondly,</I> Those that call upon God shall certainly find him
|
|
within call, and ready to give an answer of peace to every prayer of
|
|
faith; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:9">Isa. lviii. 9</A>,
|
|
|
|
"<I>Thou shalt cry,</I> as the child for a nurse, <I>and he shall say,
|
|
Here I am,</I> what does my dear child cry for?" <I>Thirdly,</I> This
|
|
is a privilege which makes the Israel of God truly great and
|
|
honourable. What can go further than this to magnify a people or a
|
|
person? Is any name more illustrious than that of Israel, <I>a prince
|
|
with God? What nation is there so great?</I> Other nations might boast
|
|
of greater numbers, larger territories, and more ancient
|
|
incorporations; but none could boast of such an interest in heaven as
|
|
Israel had. They had their gods, but not so nigh to them as Israel's
|
|
God was; they could not help them in a time of need, as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+18:27">1 Kings xviii. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Never were any people so privileged in hearing from God, by the
|
|
statutes and judgments which were set before them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
This also was the grandeur of Israel above any people. <I>What nation
|
|
is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous?</I>
|
|
Observe, <I>First,</I> That all these statutes and judgments of the
|
|
divine law are infinitely just and righteous, above the statutes and
|
|
judgments of any of the nations. The law of God is far more excellent
|
|
that the law of nations. No law so consonant to natural equity and the
|
|
unprejudiced dictates of right reason, so consistent with itself in all
|
|
the parts of it, and so conducive to the welfare and interest of
|
|
mankind, as the scripture-law is,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:128">Ps. cxix. 128</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> The having of these statutes and judgments set before
|
|
them is the true and transcendent greatness of any nation or people.
|
|
See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+147:19,20">Ps. cxlvii. 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is an honour to us that we have the Bible in reputation and power
|
|
among us. It is an evidence of a people's being high in the favour of
|
|
God, and a means of making them high among the nations. Those that
|
|
magnify the law shall be magnified by it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(5.) He urges God's glorious appearances to them at Mount Sinai, when
|
|
he gave them this law. This he insists much upon. Take heed <I>lest
|
|
thou forget the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in
|
|
Horeb,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some of them were now alive that could remember it, though they were
|
|
then under twenty years of age, and the rest of them might be said to
|
|
stand there in the loins of their fathers, who received the law and
|
|
entered into covenant there, not for themselves only, but for their
|
|
children, to whom God had an eye particularly in giving the law, that
|
|
they might teach it to their children. Two things they must remember,
|
|
and, one would think, they could never forget them:--
|
|
|
|
[1.] What they saw at Mount Sinai,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
They saw a strange composition of fire and darkness, both dreadful and
|
|
very awful; and they must needs be a striking foil to each other; the
|
|
darkness made the fire in the midst of it look the more dreadful. Fires
|
|
in the night are the most frightful, and the fire made the darkness
|
|
that surrounded it look the more awful; for it must needs be a strong
|
|
darkness which such a fire did not disperse. In allusion to this
|
|
appearance upon Mount Sinai, God is said to show himself for his
|
|
people, and against his and their enemies, in fire and darkness
|
|
together,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:8,9">Ps. xviii. 8, 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
He tells them again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>)
|
|
|
|
what they saw, for he would have them never forget it: <I>He showed
|
|
thee his great fire.</I> One flash of lightning, that fire from heaven,
|
|
strikes an awe upon us; and some have observed that most creatures
|
|
naturally turn their faces towards the lightning, as ready to receive
|
|
the impressions of it; but how dreadful then must a constant fire from
|
|
heaven be! It gave an earnest of the day of judgment, in which <I>the
|
|
Lord Jesus shall be revealed in flaming fire.</I> As he reminds them of
|
|
what they saw, so he tells them what they saw not; no manner of
|
|
similitude, from which they might form either an idea of God in their
|
|
fancies or an image of God in their high places. By what we see of God
|
|
sufficient ground is given us to believe him to be a Being of infinite
|
|
power and perfection, but no occasion given us to suspect him to have a
|
|
body such as we have.
|
|
|
|
[2.] What they heard at Mount Sinai
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>The Lord spoke unto you</I> with an intelligible voice, in your own
|
|
language, and you heard it." This he enlarges upon towards the close of
|
|
his discourse,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:32,33,36"><I>v.</I> 32, 33, 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>First, They heard the voice of God, speaking out of heaven.</I> God
|
|
manifests himself to all the world in the works of creation, without
|
|
speech or language, and yet their voice is heard
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+19:1-3">Ps. xix. 1-3</A>);
|
|
|
|
but to Israel he made himself known by speech and language,
|
|
condescending to the weakness of the church's infant state. Here was
|
|
the <I>voice of one crying in the wilderness, to prepare the way of the
|
|
Lord. Secondly,</I> They heard it <I>out of the midst of the fire,</I>
|
|
which showed that it was God himself that spoke to them, for who else
|
|
could dwell with devouring fire? God spoke to Job out of the whirlwind,
|
|
which was terrible; but to Israel out of the fire, which was more
|
|
terrible. We have reason to be thankful that he does not thus speak to
|
|
us, but by men like ourselves, <I>whose terror shall not make us
|
|
afraid,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:6,7">Job xxxiii. 6, 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> They heard it and yet lived,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was a wonder of mercy that the fire did not devour them, or that
|
|
they did not die for fear, when Moses himself trembled.
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> Never any people heard the like. He bids them enquire
|
|
of former days and distant places, and they would find this favour of
|
|
God to Israel without precedent or parallel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
This singular honour done them called for singular obedience from them.
|
|
It might justly be expected that they should do more for God than other
|
|
people, since God had done so much more for them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(6.) He urges God's gracious appearances for them, in bringing them out
|
|
of Egypt, from the iron furnace, where they laboured in the fire,
|
|
forming them into a people, and then taking them to be his own people,
|
|
a <I>people of inheritance</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
|
|
|
|
this he mentions again,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:34,37,28"><I>v.</I> 34, 37, 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
Never did God do such a thing for any people; the rise of this nation
|
|
was quite different from that of all other nations.
|
|
|
|
[1.] They were thus dignified and distinguished, not for any thing in
|
|
them that was deserving or inviting, but because God had a kindness for
|
|
their fathers: he chose them. See the reasons of free grace; we are not
|
|
beloved for our own sakes, but for his sake who is the great trustee of
|
|
the covenant.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They were delivered out of Egypt by miracles and signs, in mercy
|
|
to them and in judgment upon the Egyptians, against whom God stretched
|
|
out his arm, which was signified by Moses's stretching out his hand in
|
|
summoning the plagues.
|
|
|
|
[3.] They were designed for a happy settlement in Canaan,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
Nations must be driven out from before them, to make room for them, to
|
|
show how much dearer they were to God than any other people were.
|
|
Egyptians and Canaanites must both be sacrificed to Israel's honour and
|
|
interest. Those that stand in Israel's light, in Israel's way, shall
|
|
find it is at their peril.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(7.) He urges God's righteous appearance against them sometimes for
|
|
their sins. He specifies particularly the matter of Peor,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
This had happened very lately: their eyes had seen but the other day
|
|
the sudden destruction of those that joined themselves to Baal-peor and
|
|
the preservation of those that clave to the Lord, from which they might
|
|
easily infer the danger of apostasy from God and the benefit of
|
|
adherence to him. He also takes notice again of God's displeasure
|
|
against himself: <I>The Lord was angry with me for your sakes,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
He mentions this to try their ingenuousness, whether they would really
|
|
be troubled for the great prejudice which they had occasioned to their
|
|
faithful friend and leader. Others' sufferings for our sakes should
|
|
grieve us more than our own.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(8.) He urges the certain advantage of obedience. This argument he
|
|
begins with
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>That you may live, and go in and possess the land;</I> and this he
|
|
concludes with
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>That it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee.</I>
|
|
He reminds them that they were upon their good behaviour, that their
|
|
prosperity would depend upon their piety. If they kept God's precepts,
|
|
he would undoubtedly fulfil his promises.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(9.) He urges the fatal consequences of their apostasy from God, that
|
|
it would undoubtedly be the ruin of their nation. This he enlarges
|
|
upon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:25-31"><I>v.</I> 25-31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] He foresees their revolt from God to idols, that in process of
|
|
time, when they had remained long in the land and were settled upon
|
|
their lees, they <I>would corrupt themselves, and make a graven
|
|
image;</I> this was the sin that would most easily beset them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He foretels the judgments of God upon them for this: <I>You shall
|
|
utterly be destroyed</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>scattered among the nations,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
And their sin should be made their punishment
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>There shall you serve gods, the work of men's hands,</I> be
|
|
compelled to serve them, whether you will or no, or, through your own
|
|
sottishness and stupidity, you will find no better succours to apply
|
|
yourselves in your captivity." Those that cast off the duties of
|
|
religion in their prosperity cannot expect the comforts of it when they
|
|
come to be in distress. Justly are they then sent to the <I>gods whom
|
|
they have served,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+10:14">Judg. x. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
[3.] Yet he encourages them to hope that God would reserve mercy for
|
|
them in the latter days, that he would by his judgments upon them bring
|
|
them to repentance, and take them again into covenant with himself,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:29-31"><I>v.</I> 29-31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here observe, <I>First,</I> That whatever place we are in we may
|
|
<I>thence seek the Lord our God,</I> though ever so remote from our own
|
|
land or from his holy temple. There is no part of this earth that has a
|
|
gulf fixed between it and heaven. <I>Secondly,</I> Those, and those
|
|
only, shall find God to their comfort, who seek him with all their
|
|
heart, that is, who are entirely devoted to him, earnestly desirous of
|
|
his favour and solicitous to obtain it. <I>Thirdly,</I> Afflictions are
|
|
sent to engage and quicken us to see God, and, by the grace of God
|
|
working with them, many are thus reduced to their right mind, "When
|
|
these things shall come upon thee, it is to be hoped that thou wilt
|
|
<I>turn to the Lord they God,</I> for thou seest what comes of turning
|
|
from him;" see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:11,12">Dan. ix. 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> God's faithfulness to his covenant encourages us to
|
|
hope that he will not reject us, though we be driven to him by
|
|
affliction. If we at length remember the covenant, we shall find that
|
|
he has not forgotten it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now let all these arguments be laid together, and then say whether
|
|
religion has not reason on its side. None cast off the government of
|
|
their God but those that have first abandoned the understanding of a
|
|
man.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="De4_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De4_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De4_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De4_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De4_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De4_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De4_47"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De4_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De4_49"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>41 Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward
|
|
the sunrising;
|
|
42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his
|
|
neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that
|
|
fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
|
|
43 <I>Namely,</I> Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of
|
|
the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan
|
|
in Bashan, of the Manassites.
|
|
44 And this <I>is</I> the law which Moses set before the children of
|
|
Israel:
|
|
45 These <I>are</I> the testimonies, and the statutes, and the
|
|
judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after
|
|
they came forth out of Egypt,
|
|
46 On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in
|
|
the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon,
|
|
whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come
|
|
forth out of Egypt:
|
|
47 And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of
|
|
Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which <I>were</I> on this side
|
|
Jordan toward the sunrising;
|
|
48 From Aroer, which <I>is</I> by the bank of the river Arnon, even
|
|
unto mount Sion, which <I>is</I> Hermon,
|
|
49 And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto
|
|
the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
1. The nomination of the cities of refuge on that side Jordan where
|
|
Israel now lay encamped. Three cities were appointed for that purpose,
|
|
one in the lot of Reuben, another in that of Gad, and another in that
|
|
of the half tribe of Manasseh,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:41-43"><I>v.</I> 41-43</A>.
|
|
|
|
What Moses could do for that people while he was yet with them he did,
|
|
to give example to the rulers who were settled that they might observe
|
|
them the better when he was gone.
|
|
|
|
2. The introduction to another sermon that Moses preached to Israel,
|
|
which we have in the following chapters. Probably it was preached the
|
|
next sabbath day after, when the congregation attended to receive
|
|
instruction. He had in general exhorted them to obedience in the former
|
|
chapter; here he comes to repeat the law which they were to observe,
|
|
for he demands a universal but not an implicit obedience. How can we do
|
|
our duty if we do not know it? Here therefore he sets the law before
|
|
them as the rule they were to work by, the way they were to walk in,
|
|
sets it before them as the glass in which they were to see their
|
|
natural face, that, looking into this perfect law of liberty, they
|
|
might continue therein. <I>These are the testimonies, the statutes, and
|
|
the judgments,</I> the moral, ceremonial, and judicial laws, which had
|
|
been enacted before, when Israel had newly come out of Egypt, and were
|
|
now repeated, <I>on this side Jordan,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:44-46"><I>v.</I> 44-46</A>.
|
|
|
|
The place where Moses gave them these laws in charge is here
|
|
particularly described.
|
|
|
|
(1.) It was over-against Beth-peor, an idol-temple of the Moabites,
|
|
which perhaps Moses sometimes looked towards, with a particular caution
|
|
to them against the infection of that and other such like dangerous
|
|
places.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It was upon their new conquests, in the very land which they had
|
|
got out of the hands of Sihon and Og, and were now actually in
|
|
possession of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>.
|
|
|
|
Their present triumphs herein were a powerful argument for
|
|
obedience.</P>
|
|
|
|
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