mh_parser/vol_split/5 - Deuteronomy/Chapter 30.xml

<div2 id="Deu.xxxi" n="xxxi" next="Deu.xxxii" prev="Deu.xxx" progress="95.71%" title="Chapter XXX">
<h2 id="Deu.xxxi-p0.1">D E U T E R O N O M Y</h2>
<h3 id="Deu.xxxi-p0.2">CHAP. XXX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Deu.xxxi-p1">One would have thought that the threatenings in
the close of the foregoing chapter had made a full end of the
people of Israel, and had left their case for ever desperate; but
in this chapter we have a plain intimation of the mercy God had in
store for them in the latter days, so that mercy at length rejoices
against judgment, and has the last word. Here we have, I.
Exceedingly great and precious promises made to them, upon their
repentance and return to God, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.1-Deut.30.10" parsed="|Deut|30|1|30|10" passage="De 30:1-10">ver.
1-10</scripRef>. II. The righteousness of faith set before them in
the plainness and easiness of the commandment that was now given
them, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.11-Deut.30.14" parsed="|Deut|30|11|30|14" passage="De 30:11-14">ver. 11-14</scripRef>. III. A
fair reference of the whole matter to their choice, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.15-Deut.30.20" parsed="|Deut|30|15|30|20" passage="De 30:15-20">ver. 15</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Deu.xxxi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30" parsed="|Deut|30|0|0|0" passage="De 30" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Deu.xxxi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.1-Deut.30.10" parsed="|Deut|30|1|30|10" passage="De 30:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.30.1-Deut.30.10">
<h4 id="Deu.xxxi-p1.6">Promises to the Penitent. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Deu.xxxi-p2">1 And it shall come to pass, when all these
things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have
set before thee, and thou shalt call <i>them</i> to mind among all
the nations, whither the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.1">Lord</span> thy
God hath driven thee,   2 And shalt return unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.2">Lord</span> thy God, and shalt obey his voice
according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy
children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;   3
That then the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.3">Lord</span> thy God will turn
thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and
gather thee from all the nations, whither the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.4">Lord</span> thy God hath scattered thee.   4 If
<i>any</i> of thine be driven out unto the outmost <i>parts</i> of
heaven, from thence will the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.5">Lord</span>
thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:   5
And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.6">Lord</span> thy God will bring thee
into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess
it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
  6 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.7">Lord</span> thy God will
circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.8">Lord</span> thy God with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.   7 And the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.9">Lord</span> thy God will put all these
curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which
persecuted thee.   8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice
of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.10">Lord</span>, and do all his
commandments which I command thee this day.   9 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.11">Lord</span> thy God will make thee plenteous in
every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the
fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.12">Lord</span> will again rejoice over
thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:   10 If thou
shalt hearken unto the voice of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.13">Lord</span> thy God, to keep his commandments and his
statutes which are written in this book of the law, <i>and</i> if
thou turn unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p2.14">Lord</span> thy God with
all thine heart, and with all thy soul.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p3">These verses may be considered either as a
conditional promise or as an absolute prediction.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p4">I. They are chiefly to be considered as a
conditional promise, and so they belong to all persons and all
people, and not to Israel only; and the design of them is to assure
us that the greatest sinners, if they repent and be converted,
shall have their sins pardoned, and be restored to God's favour.
This is the purport of the covenant of grace, it leaves room for
repentance in case of misdemeanour, and promises pardon upon
repentance, which the covenant of innocency did not. Now observe
here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p5">1. How the repentance is described which is
the condition of these promises. (1.) It begins in <i>serious
consideration,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.1" parsed="|Deut|30|1|0|0" passage="De 30:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. "Thou shalt call to mind that which thou hadst
forgotten or not regarded." Note, Consideration is the first step
towards conversion. <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.46.8" parsed="|Isa|46|8|0|0" passage="Isa 46:8">Isa. xlvi.
8</scripRef>, <i>Bring to mind, O you transgressors.</i> The
prodigal son came to himself first, and then to his father. That
which they should call to mind is the blessing and the curse. If
sinners would but seriously consider the happiness they have lost
by sin and the misery they have brought themselves into, and that
by repentance they may escape that misery and recover that
happiness, they would not delay to <i>return to the Lord their
God.</i> The prodigal <i>called to mind the blessing and the
curse</i> when he considered his present poverty and the plenty of
bread <i>in his father's house,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.15.17" parsed="|Luke|15|17|0|0" passage="Lu 15:17">Luke xv. 17</scripRef>. (2.) It consists in sincere
conversion. The effect of the consideration cannot but be godly
sorrow and shame, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.6.9 Bible:Ezek.7.16" parsed="|Ezek|6|9|0|0;|Ezek|7|16|0|0" passage="Eze 6:9,7:16">Ezek. vi. 9;
vii. 16</scripRef>. But that which is the life and soul of
repentance, and without which the most passionate expressions are
but a jest, is <i>returning to the Lord our God,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.2" parsed="|Deut|30|2|0|0" passage="De 30:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. If thou turn (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.10" parsed="|Deut|30|10|0|0" passage="De 30:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) <i>with all thy heart
and with all thy soul.</i> We must return to our allegiance to God
as our Lord and ruler, our dependence upon him as our Father and
benefactor, our devotedness to him as our highest end, and our
communion with him as our God in covenant. We must return to God
from all that which stands in opposition to him or competition with
him. In this return to God we must be upright—with the heart and
soul, and universal—with all the heart and all the soul. (3.) It
is evidenced by a constant obedience to the holy will of God: If
thou shalt <i>obey his voice</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.2" parsed="|Deut|30|2|0|0" passage="De 30:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), <i>thou and thy children;</i>
for it is not enough that we do our duty ourselves, but we must
train up and engage our children to do it. Or this comes in as the
condition of the entail of the blessing upon their children,
provided their children kept close to their duty. [1.] This
obedience must be with an eye to God: Thou shalt <i>obey his
voice</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.8" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.8" parsed="|Deut|30|8|0|0" passage="De 30:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), and
hearken to it, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.9" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.10" parsed="|Deut|30|10|0|0" passage="De 30:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. [2.] It must be sincere, and cheerful, and entire:
<i>With all thy heart, and with all thy soul,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.10" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.2" parsed="|Deut|30|2|0|0" passage="De 30:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. [3.] It must be from a
principle of love, and that love must be <i>with all thy heart and
with all thy soul,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.11" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.6" parsed="|Deut|30|6|0|0" passage="De 30:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. It is the heart and soul that God looks at and
requires; he will have these or nothing, and these entire or not at
all. [4.] It must be universal: <i>According to all that I command
thee,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.12" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.2" parsed="|Deut|30|2|0|0" passage="De 30:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>, and
again <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.13" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.8" parsed="|Deut|30|8|0|0" passage="De 30:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>, <i>to do
all his commandments;</i> for he that allows himself in the breach
of one commandment involves himself in the guilt of contemning them
all, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.14" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.10" parsed="|Jas|2|10|0|0" passage="Jam 2:10">James ii. 10</scripRef>. An
upright heart has <i>respect to all God's commandments,</i>
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p5.15" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.6" parsed="|Ps|119|6|0|0" passage="Ps 119:6">Ps. cxix. 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p6">2. What the favour is which is promised
upon this repentance. Though they are brought to God by their
trouble and distress, in the nations whither they were driven
(<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.1" parsed="|Deut|30|1|0|0" passage="De 30:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), yet God will
graciously accept of them notwithstanding; for on this errand
afflictions are sent, to bring us to repentance. Though they are
<i>driven out to the utmost parts of heaven,</i> yet thence their
penitent prayers shall reach God's gracious ear, and there his
favour shall find them out, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.4" parsed="|Deut|30|4|0|0" passage="De 30:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. <i>Undique ad cælos tantundem est viæ—From every
place there is the same way to heaven.</i> This promise Nehemiah
pleads in his prayer for dispersed Israel, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.1.9" parsed="|Neh|1|9|0|0" passage="Ne 1:9">Neh. i. 9</scripRef>. It is here promised, (1.) That God
would have compassion upon them, as proper objects of his pity,
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.3" parsed="|Deut|30|3|0|0" passage="De 30:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Against sinners
that go on in sin God has indignation (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.29.20" parsed="|Deut|29|20|0|0" passage="De 29:20"><i>ch.</i> xxix. 20</scripRef>), but on those that
repent and bemoan themselves he has compassion, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:Jer.31.18 Bible:Jer.31.20" parsed="|Jer|31|18|0|0;|Jer|31|20|0|0" passage="Jer 31:18,20">Jer. xxxi. 18, 20</scripRef>. True penitents may
take great encouragement from the compassions and tender mercies of
our God, which never fail, but overflow. (2.) That he would <i>turn
their captivity, and gather them from the nations whither they were
scattered</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.3" parsed="|Deut|30|3|0|0" passage="De 30:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>),
though ever so remote, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.8" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.4" parsed="|Deut|30|4|0|0" passage="De 30:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. One of the Chaldee paraphrasts applies this to the
Messiah, explaining it thus: <i>The word of the Lord shall gather
you by the hand of Elias the great priest, and shall bring you by
the hand of the king Messiah;</i> for this was God's covenant with
him, that he should <i>restore the preserved of Israel,</i>
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.9" osisRef="Bible:Isa.49.6" parsed="|Isa|49|6|0|0" passage="Isa 49:6">Isa. xlix. 6</scripRef>. And this was
the design of his death, to <i>gather into one the children of God
that were scattered abroad,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.10" osisRef="Bible:John.11.51-John.11.52" parsed="|John|11|51|11|52" passage="Joh 11:51,52">John xi. 51, 52</scripRef>. <i>To him shall the
gathering of the people be.</i> (3.) That he would <i>bring them
into their land again,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.11" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.5" parsed="|Deut|30|5|0|0" passage="De 30:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>. Note, Penitent sinners are not only delivered out of
their misery, but restored to true happiness in the favour of God.
The land they are brought into to possess it is , though not the
same, yet in some respects better than that which our first father
Adam possessed, and out of which he was expelled. (4.) That he
would <i>do them good</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.12" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.5" parsed="|Deut|30|5|0|0" passage="De 30:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>) and <i>rejoice over them for good,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.13" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.9" parsed="|Deut|30|9|0|0" passage="De 30:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. For there is joy in
heaven upon the repentance and conversion of sinners: the father of
the prodigal <i>rejoiced over him for good.</i> (5.) That he would
multiply them (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.14" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.5" parsed="|Deut|30|5|0|0" passage="De 30:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>),
and that, when they grew numerous, every mouth might have meat: he
would <i>make them plenteous in every work of their hand,</i>
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.15" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.9" parsed="|Deut|30|9|0|0" passage="De 30:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. National
repentance and reformation bring national plenty, peace, and
prosperity. It is promised, <i>The Lord will make thee
plenteous</i> in the fruit of thy cattle and land, for good. Many
have plenty for hurt; the prosperity of fools destroys them. Then
it is for good when with it God gives us grace to use it for his
glory. (6.) That he would transfer the curses they had been under
to their enemies, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.16" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.7" parsed="|Deut|30|7|0|0" passage="De 30:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. When God was gathering them in to re-establish them
they would meet with much opposition; but the same curses that had
been a burden upon them should become a defence to them, by being
turned upon their adversaries. The cup of trembling should be taken
out of their hand, and put into the hand of those that afflicted
them, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.17" osisRef="Bible:Isa.51.22-Isa.51.23" parsed="|Isa|51|22|51|23" passage="Isa 51:22,23">Isa. li. 22, 23</scripRef>.
(7.) That he would give them his grace to change their hearts, and
rule there (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.18" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.6" parsed="|Deut|30|6|0|0" passage="De 30:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>):
<i>The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart, to love the
Lord.</i> Note, [1.] The heart must be circumcised to love God. The
filth of the flesh must be put away; and the foolishness of the
heart, as the Chaldee paraphrase expounds it. See <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.19" osisRef="Bible:Col.2.11-Col.2.12 Bible:Rom.2.29" parsed="|Col|2|11|2|12;|Rom|2|29|0|0" passage="Col 2:11,12,Ro 2:29">Col. ii. 11, 12; Rom. ii.
29</scripRef>. Circumcision was a seal of the covenant; the heart
is then <i>circumcised to love God</i> when it is strongly engaged
and held by that bond to this duty. [2.] It is the work of God's
grace to circumcise the heart, and to shed abroad the love of God
there; and this grace is given to all that repent and seek it
carefully. Nay, that seems to be rather a promise than a precept
(<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.20" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.8" parsed="|Deut|30|8|0|0" passage="De 30:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>Thou shalt
return and obey the voice of the Lord.</i> He that requires us to
return promises grace to enable us to return: and it is our fault
if that grace be not effectual. herein the covenant of grace is
well ordered, that whatsoever is required in the covenant is
promised. <i>Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my
Spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p6.21" osisRef="Bible:Prov.1.23" parsed="|Prov|1|23|0|0" passage="Pr 1:23">Prov. i. 23</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p7">3. It is observable how Moses here calls
God <i>the Lord thy God</i> twelve times in <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.1-Deut.30.10" parsed="|Deut|30|1|30|10" passage="De 30:1-10">these ten verses</scripRef>, intimating, (1.) That
penitents may take direction and encouragement in their return to
God from their relation to him. <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.3.22" parsed="|Jer|3|22|0|0" passage="Jer 3:22">Jer.
iii. 22</scripRef>, "<i>Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the
Lord our God;</i> therefore to thee we are bound to come, whither
else should we go? And therefore we hope to find favour with thee."
(2.) That those who have revolted from God, if they return to him
and do their first works, shall be restored to their former state
of honour and happiness. <i>Bring hither the first robe.</i> In the
threatenings of the former chapter he is all along called the
<i>Lord,</i> a God of power and the Judge of all: but, in the
promises of this chapter, <i>the Lord thy God,</i> a God of grace,
and in covenant with thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p8">II. This may also be considered as a
prediction of the repentance and restoration of the Jews: <i>When
all these things shall have come upon thee</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.1" parsed="|Deut|30|1|0|0" passage="De 30:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), the blessing first, and after
that the curse, then the mercy in reserve shall take place. Though
their hearts were wretchedly hardened, yet the grace of God could
soften and change them; and then, though their case was deplorably
miserable, the providence of God would redress all their
grievances. Now, 1. It is certain that this was fulfilled in their
return from their captivity in Babylon. It was a wonderful instance
of their repentance and reformation that Ephraim, who had been
joined to idols, renounced them, and said, <i>What have I to do any
more with idols?</i> That captivity effectually cured them of
idolatry; and then God planted them again in their own land and did
them good. But, 2. Some think that it is yet further to be
accomplished in the conversion of the Jews who are now dispersed,
their repentance for the sin of their fathers in crucifying Christ,
their return to God through him, and their accession to the
Christian church. But, <i>alas! who shall live when God doth
this?</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Deu.xxxi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30" parsed="|Deut|30|0|0|0" passage="De 30" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Deu.xxxi-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.11-Deut.30.14" parsed="|Deut|30|11|30|14" passage="De 30:11-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.30.11-Deut.30.14">
<h4 id="Deu.xxxi-p8.4">The Advantages of
Revelation. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p8.5">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Deu.xxxi-p9">11 For this commandment which I command thee
this day, it <i>is</i> not hidden from thee, neither <i>is</i> it
far off.   12 It <i>is</i> not in heaven, that thou shouldest
say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that
we may hear it, and do it?   13 Neither <i>is</i> it beyond
the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us,
and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?   14 But
the word <i>is</i> very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy
heart, that thou mayest do it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p10">Moses here urges them to obedience from the
consideration of the plainness and easiness of the command.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p11">I. This is true of the law of Moses. They
could never plead in excuse of their disobedience that God had
enjoined them that which was either unintelligible or
impracticable, impossible to be known or to be done (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.11" parsed="|Deut|30|11|0|0" passage="De 30:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>It is not hidden
from thee.</i> That is, not send messengers to heaven (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.12" parsed="|Deut|30|12|0|0" passage="De 30:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), to enquire what thou
must do to please God; nor needest thou <i>go beyond sea</i>
(<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.13" parsed="|Deut|30|13|0|0" passage="De 30:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), as the
philosophers did, that travelled through many and distant regions
in pursuit of learning; no, thou art not put to that labour and
expense; nor is the commandment within the reach of those only that
have a great estate or a refined genius, but it is <i>very nigh
unto thee,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.14" parsed="|Deut|30|14|0|0" passage="De 30:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. It is written in thy books, made plain upon tables,
so that he that runs may read it; thy priests' lips keep this
knowledge, and, when any difficulty arises, thou mayest <i>ask the
law at their mouth,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Mal.2.7" parsed="|Mal|2|7|0|0" passage="Mal 2:7">Mal. ii.
7</scripRef>. It is not communicated in a strange language; but it
is in thy mouth, that is, in the vulgar tongue that is commonly
used by thee, in which thou mayest hear it read, and talk of it
familiarly among thy children. It is not wrapped up in obscure
phrases or figures to puzzle and amuse thee, or in hieroglyphics,
but it is in thy heart; it is delivered in such a manner as that it
is level to thy capacity, even to the capacity of the meanest." 2.
"It is not too <i>hard</i> nor <i>heavy</i> for thee:" so the
Septuagint reads it, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.11" parsed="|Deut|30|11|0|0" passage="De 30:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. Thou needest not say, "As good attempt to climb to
heaven, or flee upon the wings of the morning to the uttermost part
of the sea, as go about to do all the words of this law:" no, the
matter is not so; it is no such intolerable yoke as some ill-minded
people represent it. It was indeed a heavy yoke in comparison with
that of Christ (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:Acts.15.10" parsed="|Acts|15|10|0|0" passage="Ac 15:10">Acts xv.
10</scripRef>), but not in comparison with the idolatrous services
of the neighbouring nations. God appeals to themselves that he had
not <i>made them to serve with an offering, nor wearied them with
incense,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.43.23 Bible:Mic.6.3" parsed="|Isa|43|23|0|0;|Mic|6|3|0|0" passage="Isa 43:23,Mic 6:3">Isa. xliii. 23;
Mic. vi. 3</scripRef>. But he speaks especially of the moral law,
and its precepts: "That is very nigh thee, consonant to the law of
nature, which would have been found in every man's heart, and every
man's mouth, if he would but have attended to it. There is that in
thee which <i>consents to the law that it is good,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p11.9" osisRef="Bible:Rom.7.16" parsed="|Rom|7|16|0|0" passage="Ro 7:16">Rom. vii. 16</scripRef>. Thou hast therefore no
reason to complain of any insuperable difficulty in the observance
of it."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p12">II. This is true of the gospel of Christ,
to which the apostle applies it, and makes it the language of the
<i>righteousness which is of faith,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.10.6-Rom.10.8" parsed="|Rom|10|6|10|8" passage="Ro 10:6-8">Rom. x. 6-8</scripRef>. And many think this is
principally intended by Moses here; for he <i>wrote of Christ,</i>
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:John.5.46" parsed="|John|5|46|0|0" passage="Joh 5:46">John v. 46</scripRef>. This is God's
commandment now under the gospel that we <i>believe in the name of
his Son Jesus Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1John.3.23" parsed="|1John|3|23|0|0" passage="1Jo 3:23">1 John iii.
23</scripRef>. If we ask, as the blind man did, <i>Lord, who is
he?</i> or where is he, that we may believe on him? (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:John.9.36" parsed="|John|9|36|0|0" passage="Joh 9:36">John ix. 36</scripRef>), this scripture gives an
answer, We need not go up to heaven, to fetch him thence, for he
has come down thence in his incarnation; nor down to the deep, to
fetch him thence, for thence he has come up in his resurrection.
But the word is nigh us, and Christ in that word; so that if we
believe with the heart that the promises of the incarnation and
resurrection of the Messiah are fulfilled in our Lord Jesus, and
receive him accordingly, and confess him with our mouth, we have
then Christ with us, and we shall be saved. He is near, very near,
that justifies us. The law was plain and easy, but the gospel much
more so.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Deu.xxxi-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30" parsed="|Deut|30|0|0|0" passage="De 30" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Deu.xxxi-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.15-Deut.30.20" parsed="|Deut|30|15|30|20" passage="De 30:15-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.30.15-Deut.30.20">
<p class="passage" id="Deu.xxxi-p13">15 See, I have set before thee this day life and
good, and death and evil;   16 In that I command thee this day
to love the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p13.1">Lord</span> thy God, to walk in
his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his
judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p13.2">Lord</span> thy God shall bless thee in the land
whither thou goest to possess it.   17 But if thine heart turn
away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and
worship other gods, and serve them;   18 I denounce unto you
this day, that ye shall surely perish, <i>and that</i> ye shall not
prolong <i>your</i> days upon the land, whither thou passest over
Jordan to go to possess it.   19 I call heaven and earth to
record this day against you, <i>that</i> I have set before you life
and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both
thou and thy seed may live:   20 That thou mayest love the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p13.3">Lord</span> thy God, <i>and</i> that thou
mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he
<i>is</i> thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest
dwell in the land which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxi-p13.4">Lord</span>
sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p14">Moses here concludes with a very bright
light, and a very strong fire, that, if possible, what he had been
preaching of might find entrance into the understanding and
affections of this unthinking people. What could be said more
moving, and more likely to make deep and lasting impressions? The
manner of his treating with them is so rational, so prudent, so
affectionate, and every way so apt to gain the point, that it
abundantly shows him to be in earnest, and leaves them inexcusable
in their disobedience.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p15">I. He states the case very fairly. He
appeals to themselves concerning it whether he had not laid the
matter as plainly as they could wish before them. 1. Every man
covets to obtain life and good, and to escape death and evil,
desires happiness and dreads misery. "Well," says he, "I have shown
you the way to obtain all the happiness you can desire and to avoid
all misery. Be obedient, and all shall be well, and nothing amiss."
Our first parents ate the forbidden fruit, in hopes of getting
thereby the knowledge of good and evil; but it was a miserable
knowledge they got, of good by the loss of it, and of evil by the
sense of it; yet such is the compassion of God towards man that,
instead of giving him to his own delusion, he has favoured him by
his word with such a knowledge of good and evil as will make him
for ever happy if it be not his own fault. 2. Every man is moved
and governed in his actions by hope and fear, hope of good and fear
of evil, real of apparent. "Now," says Moses, "I have tried both
ways; if you will be either drawn to obedience by the certain
prospect of advantage by it, or driven to obedience by the no less
certain prospect of ruin in case you be disobedient—if you will be
wrought upon either way, you will be kept close to God and your
duty; but, if you will not, you are utterly inexcusable." Let us,
then, hear the conclusion of the whole matter. (1.) If they and
theirs would love God and serve him, they should live and be happy,
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.16" parsed="|Deut|30|16|0|0" passage="De 30:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. If they would
love God, and evidence the sincerity of their love by keeping his
commandments—if they would make conscience of keeping his
commandments, and do it from a principle of love—then God would do
them good, and they should be as happy as his love and blessing
could make them. (2.) If they or theirs should at any time turn
from God, desert his service, and worship other gods this would
certainly be their ruin, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.17-Deut.30.18" parsed="|Deut|30|17|30|18" passage="De 30:17,18"><i>v.</i>
17, 18</scripRef>. Observe, It is not for every failure in the
particulars of their duty that ruin is threatened, but for apostasy
and idolatry: though every violation of the command deserved the
curse, yet the nation would be destroyed by that only which is the
violation of the marriage covenant. The purport of the New
Testament is much the same; this, in like manner, sets before us
life and death, good and evil; <i>He that believes shall be saved;
he that believes not shall be damned,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.16" parsed="|Mark|16|16|0|0" passage="Mk 16:16">Mark xvi. 16</scripRef>. And this faith includes love
and obedience. <i>To those who by patient continuance in well doing
seek for glory, honour, and immortality,</i> God will give
<i>eternal life. But to those that are contentious, and do not obey
the truth, but obey unrighteousness</i> (and so, in effect, worship
other gods and serve them), will be rendered the indignation and
wrath of an immortal God, the consequence of which must needs be
the tribulation and anguish of an immortal soul, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.2.7-Rom.2.9" parsed="|Rom|2|7|2|9" passage="Ro 2:7-9">Rom. ii. 7-9</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p16">II. Having thus stated the case, he fairly
puts them to their choice, with a direction to them to choose well.
He appeals to heaven and earth concerning his fair and faithful
dealing with them, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.19" parsed="|Deut|30|19|0|0" passage="De 30:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. They could not but own that whatever was the issue
he had delivered his soul; therefore, that they might deliver
theirs, he bids them choose life, that is, choose to do their duty,
which would be their life. Note, 1. Those shall have life that
choose it: those that choose the favour of God and communion with
him for their felicity, and prosecute their choice as they ought,
shall have what they choose. 2. Those that come short of life and
happiness must thank themselves; they would have had it if they had
chosen it when it was put to their choice: but they die because
they <i>will</i> die; that is, because they do not like the life
promised upon the terms proposed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxi-p17">III. In the <scripRef id="Deu.xxxi-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.20" parsed="|Deut|30|20|0|0" passage="De 30:20">last verse</scripRef>, 1. He shows them, in short, what
their duty is, <i>to love God,</i> and to love him as <i>the
Lord,</i> a Being most amiable, and as <i>their God,</i> a God in
covenant with them; and, as an evidence of this love, to <i>obey
his voice</i> in every thing, and by a constancy in this love and
obedience to <i>cleave to him,</i> and never to forsake him in
affection or practice. 2. He shows them what reason there was for
this duty, inconsideration, (1.) Of their dependence upon God:
<i>He is thy life, and the length of thy days.</i> He gives life,
preserves life, restores life, and prolongs it by his power though
it is a frail life, and by his patience though it is a forfeited
life: he sweetens life with his comforts, and is the sovereign Lord
of life; <i>in his hand our breath is.</i> Therefore we are
concerned to keep ourselves in his love; for it is good having him
our friend, and bad having him our enemy. (2.) Of their obligation
to him for the promise of Canaan made to their fathers and ratified
with an oath. And, (3.) Of their expectations from him in
performance of that promise: "Love God, and serve him, that thou
mayest dwell in that land of promise which thou mayest be sure he
can give, and uphold to thee who is <i>thy life and the length of
thy days.</i>" All these are arguments to us to continue in love
and obedience to the God of our mercies.</p>
</div></div2>