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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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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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<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. XXXI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter Moses, having finished his sermon,
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I. Encourages both the people who were now to enter Canaan
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>),
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and Joshua who was to lead them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:7,8,23">ver. 7, 8, 23</A>.
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And,
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II. He takes care for the keeping of these things always in their
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remembrance after his decease,
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1. By the book of the law which was,
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(1.) Written.
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(2.) Delivered into the custody of the priests,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:9,24-27">ver. 9, and 24-27</A>.
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(3.) Ordered to be publicly read every seventh year,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:10-13">ver. 10-13</A>.
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2. By a song which God orders Moses to prepare for their instruction
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and admonition.
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(1.) He calls Moses and Joshua to the door of the tabernacle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:14,15">ver. 14, 15</A>.
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(2.) He foretels the apostasy of Israel in process of time, and the
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judgments they would thereby bring upon themselves,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:16-18">ver. 16-18</A>.
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(3.) He prescribes the following song to be a witness against them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:19-21">ver. 19-21</A>.
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(4.) Moses wrote it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:22">ver. 22</A>.
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And delivered it to Israel, with an intimation of the design of it, as
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he had received it from the Lord,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:28-30">ver. 28</A>,
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&c.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="De31_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Solemn Warnings; Joshua Encouraged.</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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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
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2 And he said unto them, I <I>am</I> a hundred and twenty years old
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this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath
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said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
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3 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God, he will go over before thee, <I>and</I> he will
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destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess
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them: <I>and</I> Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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hath said.
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4 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og,
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kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he
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destroyed.
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5 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall give them up before your face, that ye may
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do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have
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commanded you.
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6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of
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them: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God, he <I>it is</I> that doth go with thee; he
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will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
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7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight
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of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go
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with this people unto the land which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath sworn unto
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their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit
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it.
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8 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, he <I>it is</I> that doth go before thee; he will be
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with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not,
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neither be dismayed.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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<I>Loth to part</I> (we say) <I>bids oft farewell.</I> Moses does so to
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the children of Israel: not because he was loth to go to God, but
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because he was loth to leave them, fearing that when he had left them
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they would leave God. He had finished what he had to say to them by way
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of counsel and exhortation: here he calls them together to give them a
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word of encouragement, especially with reference to the wars of Canaan,
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in which they were now to engage. It was a discouragement to them that
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Moses was to be removed at a time when he could so ill be spared:
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though Joshua was continued to fight for them in the valley, they would
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want Moses to intercede for them on the hill, as he did,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+17:10">Exod. xvii. 10</A>.
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But there is no remedy: <I>Moses can no more go out and come in,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Not that he was disabled by any decay either of body or mind; for his
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<I>natural force was not abated,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+24:7"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 7</A>.
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But he cannot any longer discharge his office; for,
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1. He is 120 <I>years old,</I> and it is time for him to think of
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resigning his honour and returning to his rest. He that had arrived at
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so great an age then, when seventy or eighty was the ordinary stint, as
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appears by the prayer of Moses
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+90:10">Ps. xc. 10</A>),
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might well think that he had accomplished as a hireling his day.
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2. He is under a divine sentence: <I>Thou shalt not go over Jordan.</I>
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Thus a full stop was put to his usefulness; hitherto he must go,
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hitherto he must serve, but no further. So God had appointed it and
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Moses acquiesces: for I know not why we should any of us desire to live
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a day longer than while God has work for us to do; nor shall we be
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accountable for more time than is allotted us. But, though Moses must
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not go over himself, he is anxious to encourage those that must.</P>
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<P>
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I. He encourages the people; and never could any general animate his
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soldiers upon such good grounds as those on which Moses here encourages
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Israel.
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1. He assures them of the constant presence of God with them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>The Lord thy God.</I> that has led thee and kept thee hitherto
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<I>will go over before thee;</I> and those might follow boldly who were
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sure that they had God for their leader. He repeats it again
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
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with an emphasis: "<I>The Lord thy God,</I> the great Jehovah, who is
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thine in covenant, <I>he it is,</I> he and no less, he and no other,
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<I>that goes before thee;</I> not only who by his promise has assured
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thee that he <I>will go before thee;</I> but by his ark, the visible
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token of his presence, shows thee that he <I>does</I> actually <I>go
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before thee.</I>" And he repeats it with enlargement: "Not only he goes
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over before thee at first, to bring thee in, but he will continue with
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thee all along, with thee and thine; <I>he will not fail thee nor
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forsake thee;</I> he will not disappoint thy expectations in any
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strait, nor will he ever desert thy interest; be constant to him, and
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he will be so to thee." This is applied by the apostle to all God's
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spiritual Israel, for the encouragement of their faith and hope; unto
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us is this gospel preached, as well as unto them <I>He will never fail
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thee, nor forsake thee,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:5">Heb. xiii. 5</A>.
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2. He commends Joshua to them for a leader: <I>Joshua, he shall go over
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before thee,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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One whose conduct, and courage, and sincere affection to their
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interest, they had had long experience of; and one whom God had
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ordained and appointed to be their leader, and therefore, no doubt,
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would own and bless, and make a blessing to them. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+27:18">Num. xxvii. 18</A>.
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Note, It is a great encouragement to a people when, instead of some
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useful instruments that are removed, God raises up others to carry on
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his work.
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3. He ensures their success. The greatest generals, supported with the
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greatest advantages, must yet own the issues of war to be doubtful and
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uncertain; the battle is not always to the strong nor to the bold; an
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ill accident unthought of may turn the scale against the highest hopes.
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But Moses had warrant from God to assure Israel that, notwithstanding
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the disadvantages they laboured under, they should certainly be
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victorious. A coward will fight when he is sure to be a conqueror. God
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undertakes to do the work--<I>he will destroy these nations;</I> and
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Israel shall do little else than divide the spoil--<I>thou shalt
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possess them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Two things might encourage their hopes of this:--
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(1.) The victories they had already obtained over Sihon and Og
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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from which they might infer both the power of God, that he could do
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what he had done, and the purpose of God, that he would finish what he
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had begun to do. Thus must we improve our experience.
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(2.) The command God had given them to destroy the Canaanites
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+7:2,12:2"><I>ch.</I> vii. 2; xii. 2</A>),
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to which he refers here
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>,
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that you <I>may do unto them according to all which I have commanded
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you</I>), and from which they might infer that, if God had commanded
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them to destroy the Canaanites, no doubt he would put it into the power
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of their hands to do it. Note, What God has made our duty we have
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reason to expect opportunity and assistance from him for the doing of.
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So that from all this he had reason enough to bid them <I>be strong and
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of a good courage,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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While they had the power of God engaged for them they had no reason to
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fear all the powers of Canaan engaged against them.</P>
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<P>
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II. He encourages Joshua,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
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Observe,
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1. Though Joshua was an experienced general, and a man of approved
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gallantry and resolution, who had already signalized himself in many
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brave actions, yet Moses saw cause to bid him <I>be of good
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courage,</I> now that he was entering upon a new scene of action; and
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Joshua was far from taking it as an affront, or as a tacit questioning
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of his courage, to be thus charged, as sometimes we find proud and
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peevish spirits invidiously taking exhortations and admonitions for
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reproaches and reflections. Joshua himself is very well pleased to be
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admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage.
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2. He gives him this charge <I>in the sight of all Israel,</I> that
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they might be the more observant of him whom they saw thus solemnly
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inaugurated, and that he might set himself the more to be an example of
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courage to the people who were witnesses to this charge here given to
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him as well as to themselves.
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3. He gives him the same assurances of the divine presence, and
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consequently of a glorious success, that he had given the people. God
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would be with him, would not forsake him, and therefore he should
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certainly accomplish the glorious enterprise to which he was called and
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commissioned: <I>Thou shalt cause them to inherit the land</I> of
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promise. Note, Those shall speed well that have God with them; and
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therefore they ought to <I>be of good courage.</I> Through God let us
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do valiantly, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we resist
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the devil, he shall flee, and God shall <I>shortly tread him under our
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feet.</I></P>
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<A NAME="De31_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="De31_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Reading of the Law.</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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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests
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the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
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and unto all the elders of Israel.
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10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of <I>every</I>
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seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the
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feast of tabernacles,
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11 When all Israel is come to appear before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God in
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the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before
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all Israel in their hearing.
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12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children,
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and thy stranger that <I>is</I> within thy gates, that they may hear,
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and that they may learn, and fear the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God, and observe
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to do all the words of this law:
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13 And <I>that</I> their children, which have not known <I>any thing,</I>
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may hear, and learn to fear the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God, as long as ye live
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in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The law was given by Moses; so it is said,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:17">John i. 17</A>.
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He was not only entrusted to deliver it to that generation, but to
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transmit it to the generations to come; and here it appears that he was
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faithful to that trust.</P>
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<P>
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I. <I>Moses wrote this law,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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The learned bishop Patrick understands this of all the five books of
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Moses, which are often called the <I>law;</I> he supposes that though
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Moses had written most of the Pentateuch before, yet he did not finish
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it till now; now he put his last hand to that sacred volume. Many think
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that the law here (especially since it is called <I>this law,</I> this
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grand abridgment of the law) is to be understood of this book of
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Deuteronomy; all those discourses to the people which have taken up
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this whole book, he, being in them divinely inspired, wrote them as the
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word of God. He wrote this law,
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1. That those who had heard it might often review it themselves, and
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call it to mind.
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2. That it might be the more safely handed down to posterity. Note, The
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church has received abundance of advantage from the writing, as well as
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from the preaching, of divine things; faith comes not only by hearing,
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but by reading. The same care that was taken of the law, thanks be to
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God, is taken of the gospel too; soon after it was preached it was
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written, that it might reach to those on whom the ends of the world
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shall come.</P>
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<P>
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II. Having written it, he committed it to the care and custody of the
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priests and elders. He delivered one authentic copy to the priests, to
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be laid up by the ark
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),
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there to remain as a standard by which all other copies must be tried.
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And it is supposed that he gave another copy to the elders of each
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tribe, to be transcribed by all of that tribe that were so disposed.
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Some observe that the elders, as well as the priests, were entrusted
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with the law, to intimate that magistrates by the power, as well as
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ministers by their doctrine, are to maintain religion, and to take care
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that the law be not broken nor lost.</P>
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<P>
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III. He appointed the public reading of this law in a general assembly
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of all Israel every seventh year. The pious Jews (it is very probable)
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read the laws daily in their families, and <I>Moses of old time was
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read in the synagogue every sabbath day,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+15:21">Acts xv. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
But once in seven years, that the law might be the more magnified and
|
|
made honourable, it must be read in a general assembly. Though we read
|
|
the word in private, we must not think it needless to hear it read in
|
|
public. Now here he give direction,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. When this solemn reading of the law must be, that the time might add
|
|
to the solemnity; it must be done,
|
|
|
|
(1.) In the year of release. In that year the land rested, so that they
|
|
could the better spare time to attend this service. Servants who were
|
|
then discharged, and poor debtors who were then acquitted from their
|
|
debts, must know that, having the benefit of the law, it was justly
|
|
expected they should yield obedience to it, and therefore give up
|
|
themselves to be God's servants, because he had loosed their bonds. The
|
|
year of release was typical of gospel grace, which therefore is called
|
|
the <I>acceptable year of the Lord;</I> for our remission and liberty
|
|
by Christ engage us to keep his commandments,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:74,75">Luke i. 74, 75</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) At the feast of tabernacles in that year. In that feast they were
|
|
particularly required to <I>rejoice before God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+23:40">Lev. xxiii. 40</A>.
|
|
|
|
Therefore then they must read the law, both to qualify their mirth and
|
|
keep it in due bounds, and to sanctify their mirth, that they might
|
|
make the law of God the matter of their rejoicing, and might read it
|
|
with pleasure and not as a task.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. To whom it must be read: To <I>all Israel</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>men, women, and children, and the strangers,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
The women and children were not obliged to go up to the other feasts,
|
|
but to this only in which the law was read. Note, It is the will of God
|
|
that all people should acquaint themselves with his word. It is a rule
|
|
to all, and therefore should be read to all. It is supposed that, since
|
|
all Israel could not possibly meet in one place, nor could one man's
|
|
voice reach them all, as many as the courts of the Lord's house would
|
|
hold met there, and the rest at the same time in their synagogues. The
|
|
Jewish doctors say that the hearers were bound to <I>prepare their
|
|
hearts,</I> and to hear <I>with fear and reverence, and with joy and
|
|
trembling,</I> as in the day <I>when the law was given on Mount
|
|
Sinai;</I> and, though there were <I>great and wise men who knew the
|
|
whole law very well,</I> yet they were bound to <I>hear with great
|
|
attention;</I> for he that <I>reads is the messenger of the
|
|
congregation to cause the words of God to be heard.</I> I wish those
|
|
that hear the gospel read and preached would consider this.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. By whom it must be read: <I>Thou shalt read it</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
"Thou, O Israel," by a proper person appointed for that purpose; or,
|
|
"Thou, O Joshua," their chief ruler; accordingly we find that he did
|
|
read the law himself,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:34,35">Josh. viii. 34, 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
So did Josiah,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+34:30">2 Chron. xxxiv. 30</A>,
|
|
|
|
and Ezra,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:3">Neh. viii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
And the Jews say that the king himself (when they had one) was the
|
|
person that read in the courts of the temple, that a pulpit was set up
|
|
for that purpose in the midst of the court, in which the king stood,
|
|
that the book of the law was delivered to him by the high priest, that
|
|
he stood up to receive it, uttered a prayer (as every one did that was
|
|
to read the law in public) before he read; and then, if he pleased, he
|
|
might sit down and read. But if he read standing it was thought the
|
|
more commendable, as (they say) king Agrippa did. Here let me offer it
|
|
as a conjecture that Solomon is called the <I>preacher,</I> in his
|
|
Ecclesiastes, because he delivered the substance of that book in a
|
|
discourse to the people, after his public reading of the law in the
|
|
feast of tabernacles, according to this appointment here.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. For what end it must be thus solemnly read.
|
|
|
|
(1.) That the present generation might hereby keep up their
|
|
acquaintance with the law of God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
They must hear, that they may learn, and <I>fear God, and observe to do
|
|
their duty.</I> See here what we are to aim at in hearing the word; we
|
|
must hear, that we may learn and grow in knowledge; and every time we
|
|
read the scriptures we shall find that there is still more and more to
|
|
be learned out of them. We must learn, that we may fear God, that is,
|
|
that we may be duly affected with divine things; and must fear God,
|
|
that we may <I>observe and do the words of his law;</I> for in vain do
|
|
we pretend to fear him if we do not obey him.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That the rising generation might betimes be leavened with religion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
not only that those who know something may thus know more, but that
|
|
<I>the children who have not known any thing</I> may betimes know this,
|
|
how much it is their interest as well as duty to fear God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="De31_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Apostasy Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that
|
|
thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the
|
|
tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And
|
|
Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle
|
|
of the congregation.
|
|
15 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a
|
|
cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the
|
|
tabernacle.
|
|
16 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with
|
|
thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after
|
|
the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go <I>to be</I>
|
|
among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I
|
|
have made with them.
|
|
17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and
|
|
I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they
|
|
shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them;
|
|
so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon
|
|
us, because our God <I>is</I> not among us?
|
|
18 And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils
|
|
which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other
|
|
gods.
|
|
19 Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the
|
|
children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be
|
|
a witness for me against the children of Israel.
|
|
20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I
|
|
sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and
|
|
they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then
|
|
will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me,
|
|
and break my covenant.
|
|
21 And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are
|
|
befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a
|
|
witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their
|
|
seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now,
|
|
before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. Moses and Joshua are summoned to attend the divine majesty at
|
|
the door of the tabernacle,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Moses is told again that he must shortly die; even those that are most
|
|
ready and willing to die have need to be often reminded of the approach
|
|
of death. In consideration of this, he must come himself to meet God;
|
|
for whatever improves our communion with God furthers our preparation
|
|
for death. He must also bring Joshua with him to be presented to God
|
|
for a successor, and to receive his commission and charge. Moses
|
|
readily obeys the summons, for he was not one of those that look with
|
|
an evil eye upon their successors, but, on the contrary, rejoiced in
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. God graciously gives them the meeting: <I>He appeared in the
|
|
tabernacle</I> (as the shechinah used to appear) <I>in a pillar of a
|
|
cloud,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is the only time in all this book that we read of the glory of God
|
|
appearing, whereas we often read of it in the three foregoing books,
|
|
which perhaps signifies that in the latter days, under the evangelical
|
|
law, such visible appearances as these of the divine glory are not to
|
|
be expected, but we must take heed to the more sure word of
|
|
prophecy.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He tells Moses that, after his death, the covenant which he had
|
|
taken so much pains to make between Israel and their God would
|
|
certainly be broken.
|
|
|
|
1. That Israel would <I>forsake God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
And we may be sure that if the covenant between God and man be broken
|
|
the blame must lie on man, it is he that breaks it; we have often
|
|
observed it, That God never leaves any till they first leave him.
|
|
Worshipping the gods of the Canaanites (who had been the natives, but
|
|
henceforward were to be looked upon as the strangers of that land)
|
|
would undoubtedly be counted a deserting of God, and, like adultery, a
|
|
violation of the covenant. Thus still those are revolters from Christ,
|
|
and will be so adjudged, who either make a god of their money by
|
|
reigning covetousness or a god of their belly by reigning sensuality.
|
|
Those that <I>turn to other gods</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
forsake their own mercies. This apostasy of theirs is foretold to be
|
|
the effect of their prosperity
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They shall have eaten and filled themselves;</I> this is all they
|
|
will aim at in eating, to gratify their own appetites, and then they
|
|
will wax fat, grow secure and sensual; their security will take off
|
|
their dread of God and his judgments; and their sensuality will incline
|
|
them to the idolatries of the heathen, which <I>made provision for the
|
|
flesh to fulfil the lusts of it.</I> Note, God has a clear and
|
|
infallible foresight of all the wickedness of the wicked, and has often
|
|
covenanted with those who <I>he knew would deal very treacherously</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+48:8">Isa. xlviii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and conferred many favours on those who he knew would deal very
|
|
ungratefully.
|
|
|
|
2. That then God would forsake Israel; and justly does he cast those
|
|
off who had so unjustly cast him off
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>My anger shall be kindled against them, and I will forsake them.</I>
|
|
His providence would forsake them, no longer to protect and prosper
|
|
them, and then they would become a prey to all their neighbours. His
|
|
spirit and grace would forsake them, no longer to teach and guide them,
|
|
and then they would be more and more bigoted, besotted, and hardened in
|
|
their idolatries. Thus <I>many evils and troubles would befal them.</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:17,21"><I>v.</I> 17, 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
which would be such manifest indications of God's displeasure against
|
|
them that they themselves would be constrained to own it: <I>Have not
|
|
these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?</I> Those
|
|
that have sinned away their God will find that thereby they pull all
|
|
mischiefs upon their own heads. But that which completed their misery
|
|
was that God would <I>hide his face from them in that day,</I> that day
|
|
of their trouble and distress,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whatever outward troubles we are in, if we have but the light of God's
|
|
countenance, we may be easy. But, if God hide his face from us and our
|
|
prayers, we are undone.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. He directs Moses to deliver them a song, in the composing of which
|
|
he should be divinely inspired, and which should remain a standing
|
|
testimony for God as faithful to them in giving them warning, and
|
|
against them as persons false to themselves in not taking the warning,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The written word in general, as well as this song in particular, is a
|
|
witness for God against all those that break covenant with him. It
|
|
shall be for a testimony,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:14">Matt. xxiv. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
The wisdom of man has devised many ways of conveying the knowledge of
|
|
good and evil, by laws, histories, prophecies, proverbs, and, among the
|
|
rest, by songs; each has its advantages. And the wisdom of God has in
|
|
the scripture made use of them all, that ignorant and careless men
|
|
might be left inexcusable.
|
|
|
|
1. This song, if rightly improved, might be a means to prevent their
|
|
apostasy; for in the inditing of it God had an eye to their present
|
|
imagination, now, <I>before they were brought into the land of
|
|
promise,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
God knew very well that there were in their hearts such gross conceits
|
|
of the deity, and such inclinations of idolatry, that they would be
|
|
tinder to the sparks of that temptation; and therefore in this song he
|
|
gives them warning of their danger that way. Note, The word of God is a
|
|
<I>discerner of the thoughts and intents of men's hearts,</I> and meets
|
|
with them strangely by its reproofs and corrections,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:12">Heb. iv. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Compare
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+14:25">1 Cor. xiv. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Ministers who preach the word know not the imaginations men go about,
|
|
but God, whose word it is, knows perfectly.
|
|
|
|
2. If this song did not prevent their apostasy, yet it might help to
|
|
bring them to repentance, and to recover them from their apostasy. When
|
|
their troubles come upon them, this <I>song shall not be forgotten,</I>
|
|
but may serve as a glass to show them their own faces, that they may
|
|
humble themselves, and return to him from whom they have revolted.
|
|
Note, Those for whom God has mercy in store he may leave to fall, yet
|
|
he will provide means for their recovery. Medicines are prepared
|
|
before-hand for their cure.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="De31_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="De31_30"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Song of Moses.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it
|
|
the children of Israel.
|
|
23 And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be
|
|
strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children
|
|
of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be
|
|
with thee.
|
|
24 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing
|
|
the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
|
|
25 That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the
|
|
covenant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, saying,
|
|
26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark
|
|
of the covenant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God, that it may be there for a
|
|
witness against thee.
|
|
27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while
|
|
I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and how much more after my death?
|
|
28 Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your
|
|
officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call
|
|
heaven and earth to record against them.
|
|
29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt
|
|
<I>yourselves,</I> and turn aside from the way which I have commanded
|
|
you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will
|
|
do evil in the sight of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, to provoke him to anger through
|
|
the work of your hands.
|
|
30 And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of
|
|
Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. The charge is given to Joshua, which God has said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
he would give him. The same in effect that Moses had given him. The
|
|
same in effect that Moses had given him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Be strong and of a good courage,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Joshua had now heard from God so much of the wickedness of the people
|
|
whom he was to have the conduct of as could not but be a discouragement
|
|
to him: "Nay," says God, "how bad soever they are, thou shalt go
|
|
through thy understanding, for <I>I will be with thee.</I> Thou shalt
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put them into possession of Canaan. If they afterwards by their sin
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throw themselves out of it again, that will be no fault of thine, nor
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any dishonour to thee, therefore <I>be of good courage.</I>"</P>
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<P>
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II. The solemn delivery of the book of the law to the Levites, to be
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deposited in the side of the ark, is here again related
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:24-26"><I>v.</I> 24-26</A>),
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of which before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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Only they are here directed where to treasure up this precious
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original, not in the ark (there only the two tables were preserved),
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but in another box <I>by the side of the ark.</I> It is probable that
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|
this was the very book that was found in the house of the Lord (having
|
|
been somehow or other misplaced) in the days of Josiah
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+34:14">2 Chron. xxxiv. 14</A>),
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and so perhaps the following words here, <I>that it may be a witness
|
|
against thee,</I> may particularly point at that event, which happened
|
|
so long after; for the finding of this very book occasioned the public
|
|
reading of it by Josiah himself, for a witness against a people who
|
|
were then almost ripe for their ruin by the Babylonians.</P>
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<P>
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III. The song which follows in the next chapter is here delivered to
|
|
Moses, and by him to the people. He wrote it first
|
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
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as the Spirit of God indited it, and then <I>spoke it in the ears of
|
|
all the congregation</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
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|
|
and taught it to them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
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|
that is, gave out copies of it, and ordered the people to learn it by
|
|
heart. It was delivered by word of mouth first, and afterwards in
|
|
writing, to the elders and officers, as the representatives of their
|
|
respective tribes
|
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
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|
by them to be transmitted to their several families and households. It
|
|
was delivered to them with a solemn appeal to heaven and earth
|
|
concerning the fair warning which was given them by it of the fatal
|
|
consequences of their apostasy from God, and with a declaration of the
|
|
little joy and little hope Moses had in and concerning them.
|
|
|
|
1. He declares what little joy he had had of them while he was with
|
|
them,
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is not in a passion that he says, <I>I know thy rebellion</I> (as
|
|
once he said unadvisedly, <I>Hear now, you rebels</I>), but it is the
|
|
result of a long acquaintance with them: <I>you have been rebellious
|
|
against the Lord.</I> Their rebellions against himself he makes no
|
|
mention of: these he had long since forgiven and forgotten; but they
|
|
must be made to hear of their rebellions against God, that they may be
|
|
ever repented of and never repeated.
|
|
|
|
2. What little hopes he had of them now that he was leaving them. From
|
|
what God had now said to him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>)
|
|
|
|
more than from his own experience of them, though that was discouraging
|
|
enough, he tells them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves.</I>
|
|
Many a sad thought, no doubt, it occasioned to this good man, to
|
|
foresee the apostasy and ruin of a people he had taken so much pains
|
|
with, in order to them good and make them happy; but this was his
|
|
comfort, that he had done his duty, and that God would be glorified, if
|
|
not in their settlement, yet in their dispersion. Thus our Lord Jesus,
|
|
a little before his death, foretold the rise of false Christs and false
|
|
prophets
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:24">Matt. xxiv. 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
notwithstanding which, and all the apostasies of the latter times, we
|
|
may be confident that <I>the gates of hell shall not prevail against
|
|
the church,</I> for the <I>foundation of God stands sure.</I></P>
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