mh_parser/vol_split/5 - Deuteronomy/Chapter 31.xml

<div2 id="Deu.xxxii" n="xxxii" next="Deu.xxxiii" prev="Deu.xxxi" progress="96.19%" title="Chapter XXXI">
<h2 id="Deu.xxxii-p0.1">D E U T E R O N O M Y</h2>
<h3 id="Deu.xxxii-p0.2">CHAP. XXXI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Deu.xxxii-p1">In this chapter Moses, having finished his sermon,
I. Encourages both the people who were now to enter Canaan
(<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.1-Deut.31.6" parsed="|Deut|31|1|31|6" passage="De 31:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>), and Joshua who
was to lead them, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.7-Deut.31.8 Bible:Deut.31.23" parsed="|Deut|31|7|31|8;|Deut|31|23|0|0" passage="De 31:7,8,23">ver. 7, 8,
23</scripRef>. And, II. He takes care for the keeping of these
things always in their remembrance after his decease, 1. By the
book of the law which was, (1.) Written. (2.) Delivered into the
custody of the priests, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.9 Bible:Deut.31.24-Deut.31.27" parsed="|Deut|31|9|0|0;|Deut|31|24|31|27" passage="De 31:9,24-27">ver. 9,
and 24-27</scripRef>. (3.) Ordered to be publicly read every
seventh year, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.10-Deut.31.13" parsed="|Deut|31|10|31|13" passage="De 31:10-13">ver.
10-13</scripRef>. 2. By a song which God orders Moses to prepare
for their instruction and admonition. (1.) He calls Moses and
Joshua to the door of the tabernacle, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.14-Deut.31.15" parsed="|Deut|31|14|31|15" passage="De 31:14,15">ver. 14, 15</scripRef>. (2.) He foretells the apostasy
of Israel in process of time, and the judgments they would thereby
bring upon themselves, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.16-Deut.31.18" parsed="|Deut|31|16|31|18" passage="De 31:16-18">ver.
16-18</scripRef>. (3.) He prescribes the following song to be a
witness against them, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.19-Deut.31.21" parsed="|Deut|31|19|31|21" passage="De 31:19-21">ver.
19-21</scripRef>. (4.) Moses wrote it, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.22" parsed="|Deut|31|22|0|0" passage="De 31:22">ver. 22</scripRef>. And delivered it to Israel, with an
intimation of the design of it, as he had received it from the
Lord, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.28-Deut.31.30" parsed="|Deut|31|28|31|30" passage="De 31:28-30">ver. 28</scripRef>,
&amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Deu.xxxii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31" parsed="|Deut|31|0|0|0" passage="De 31" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Deu.xxxii-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.1-Deut.31.8" parsed="|Deut|31|1|31|8" passage="De 31:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.31.1-Deut.31.8">
<h4 id="Deu.xxxii-p1.12">Solemn Warnings; Joshua
Encouraged. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p1.13">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Deu.xxxii-p2">1 And Moses went and spake these words unto all
Israel.   2 And he said unto them, I <i>am</i> a hundred and
twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p2.1">Lord</span> hath said unto me, Thou
shalt not go over this Jordan.   3 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p2.2">Lord</span> thy God, he will go over before thee,
<i>and</i> he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou
shalt possess them: <i>and</i> Joshua, he shall go over before
thee, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p2.3">Lord</span> hath said.  
4 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p2.4">Lord</span> shall do unto them as
he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land
of them, whom he destroyed.   5 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p2.5">Lord</span> shall give them up before your face, that
ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I
have commanded you.   6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear
not, nor be afraid of them: for the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p2.6">Lord</span> thy God, he <i>it is</i> that doth go with
thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.   7 And Moses
called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel,
Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people
unto the land which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p2.7">Lord</span> hath
sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to
inherit it.   8 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p2.8">Lord</span>,
he <i>it is</i> that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he
will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be
dismayed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p3"><i>Loth to part</i> (we say) <i>bids oft
farewell.</i> Moses does so to the children of Israel: not because
he was loth to go to God, but because he was loth to leave them,
fearing that when he had left them they would leave God. He had
finished what he had to say to them by way of counsel and
exhortation: here he calls them together to give them a word of
encouragement, especially with reference to the wars of Canaan, in
which they were now to engage. It was a discouragement to them that
Moses was to be removed at a time when he could so ill be spared:
though Joshua was continued to fight for them in the valley, they
would want Moses to intercede for them on the hill, as he did,
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.17.10" parsed="|Exod|17|10|0|0" passage="Ex 17:10">Exod. xvii. 10</scripRef>. But there
is no remedy: <i>Moses can no more go out and come in,</i>
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.2" parsed="|Deut|31|2|0|0" passage="De 31:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Not that he was
disabled by any decay either of body or mind; for his <i>natural
force was not abated,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.24.7" parsed="|Deut|24|7|0|0" passage="De 24:7"><i>ch.</i>
xxiv. 7</scripRef>. But he cannot any longer discharge his office;
for, 1. He is 120 <i>years old,</i> and it is time for him to think
of resigning his honour and returning to his rest. He that had
arrived at so great an age then, when seventy or eighty was the
ordinary stint, as appears by the prayer of Moses (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.90.10" parsed="|Ps|90|10|0|0" passage="Ps 90:10">Ps. xc. 10</scripRef>), might well think that he
had accomplished as a hireling his day. 2. He is under a divine
sentence: <i>Thou shalt not go over Jordan.</i> Thus a full stop
was put to his usefulness; hitherto he must go, hitherto he must
serve, but no further. So God had appointed it and Moses
acquiesces: for I know not why we should any of us desire to live a
day longer than while God has work for us to do; nor shall we be
accountable for more time than is allotted us. But, though Moses
must not go over himself, he is anxious to encourage those that
must.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p4">I. He encourages the people; and never
could any general animate his soldiers upon such good grounds as
those on which Moses here encourages Israel. 1. He assures them of
the constant presence of God with them (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.3" parsed="|Deut|31|3|0|0" passage="De 31:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>): <i>The Lord thy God.</i> that
has led thee and kept thee hitherto <i>will go over before
thee;</i> and those might follow boldly who were sure that they had
God for their leader. He repeats it again (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.6" parsed="|Deut|31|6|0|0" passage="De 31:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>) with an emphasis: "<i>The Lord
thy God,</i> the great Jehovah, who is thine in covenant, <i>he it
is,</i> he and no less, he and no other, <i>that goes before
thee;</i> not only who by his promise has assured thee that he
<i>will go before thee;</i> but by his ark, the visible token of
his presence, shows thee that he <i>does</i> actually <i>go before
thee.</i>" And he repeats it with enlargement: "Not only he goes
over before thee at first, to bring thee in, but he will continue
with thee all along, with thee and thine; <i>he will not fail thee
nor forsake thee;</i> he will not disappoint thy expectations in
any strait, nor will he ever desert thy interest; be constant to
him, and he will be so to thee." This is applied by the apostle to
all God's spiritual Israel, for the encouragement of their faith
and hope; unto us is this gospel preached, as well as unto them
<i>He will never fail thee, nor forsake thee,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.5" parsed="|Heb|13|5|0|0" passage="Heb 13:5">Heb. xiii. 5</scripRef>. 2. He commends Joshua
to them for a leader: <i>Joshua, he shall go over before thee,</i>
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.3" parsed="|Deut|31|3|0|0" passage="De 31:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. One whose
conduct, and courage, and sincere affection to their interest, they
had had long experience of; and one whom God had ordained and
appointed to be their leader, and therefore, no doubt, would own
and bless, and make a blessing to them. See <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.27.18" parsed="|Num|27|18|0|0" passage="Nu 27:18">Num. xxvii. 18</scripRef>. Note, It is a great
encouragement to a people when, instead of some useful instruments
that are removed, God raises up others to carry on his work. 3. He
ensures their success. The greatest generals, supported with the
greatest advantages, must yet own the issues of war to be doubtful
and uncertain; the battle is not always to the strong nor to the
bold; an ill accident unthought of may turn the scale against the
highest hopes. But Moses had warrant from God to assure Israel
that, notwithstanding the disadvantages they laboured under, they
should certainly be victorious. A coward will fight when he is sure
to be a conqueror. God undertakes to do the work—<i>he will
destroy these nations;</i> and Israel shall do little else than
divide the spoil—<i>thou shalt possess them,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.3" parsed="|Deut|31|3|0|0" passage="De 31:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Two things might
encourage their hopes of this:—(1.) The victories they had
already obtained over Sihon and Og (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.4" parsed="|Deut|31|4|0|0" passage="De 31:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), from which they might infer both
the power of God, that he could do what he had done, and the
purpose of God, that he would finish what he had begun to do. Thus
must we improve our experience. (2.) The command God had given them
to destroy the Canaanites (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.8" osisRef="Bible:Deut.7.2 Bible:Deut.12.2" parsed="|Deut|7|2|0|0;|Deut|12|2|0|0" passage="De 7:2,12:2"><i>ch.</i> vii. 2; xii. 2</scripRef>), to which he
refers here (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.9" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.5" parsed="|Deut|31|5|0|0" passage="De 31:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>,
that you <i>may do unto them according to all which I have
commanded you</i>), and from which they might infer that, if God
had commanded them to destroy the Canaanites, no doubt he would put
it into the power of their hands to do it. Note, What God has made
our duty we have reason to expect opportunity and assistance from
him for the doing of. So that from all this he had reason enough to
bid them <i>be strong and of a good courage,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p4.10" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.6" parsed="|Deut|31|6|0|0" passage="De 31:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. While they had the power of God
engaged for them they had no reason to fear all the powers of
Canaan engaged against them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p5">II. He encourages Joshua, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.7-Deut.31.8" parsed="|Deut|31|7|31|8" passage="De 31:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>. Observe, 1. Though
Joshua was an experienced general, and a man of approved gallantry
and resolution, who had already signalized himself in many brave
actions, yet Moses saw cause to bid him <i>be of good courage,</i>
now that he was entering upon a new scene of action; and Joshua was
far from taking it as an affront, or as a tacit questioning of his
courage, to be thus charged, as sometimes we find proud and peevish
spirits invidiously taking exhortations and admonitions for
reproaches and reflections. Joshua himself is very well pleased to
be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage. 2. He
gives him this charge <i>in the sight of all Israel,</i> that they
might be the more observant of him whom they saw thus solemnly
inaugurated, and that he might set himself the more to be an
example of courage to the people who were witnesses to this charge
here given to him as well as to themselves. 3. He gives him the
same assurances of the divine presence, and consequently of a
glorious success, that he had given the people. God would be with
him, would not forsake him, and therefore he should certainly
accomplish the glorious enterprise to which he was called and
commissioned: <i>Thou shalt cause them to inherit the land</i> of
promise. Note, Those shall speed well that have God with them; and
therefore they ought to <i>be of good courage.</i> Through God let
us do valiantly, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we
resist the devil, he shall flee, and God shall <i>shortly tread him
under our feet.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Deu.xxxii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.9-Deut.31.13" parsed="|Deut|31|9|31|13" passage="De 31:9-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.31.9-Deut.31.13">
<h4 id="Deu.xxxii-p5.3">The Reading of the Law. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p5.4">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Deu.xxxii-p6">9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it
unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the
covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p6.1">Lord</span>, and unto all
the elders of Israel.   10 And Moses commanded them, saying,
At the end of <i>every</i> seven years, in the solemnity of the
year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,   11 When all
Israel is come to appear before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p6.2">Lord</span> thy God in the place which he shall choose,
thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.  
12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and
thy stranger that <i>is</i> within thy gates, that they may hear,
and that they may learn, and fear the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p6.3">Lord</span> your God, and observe to do all the words
of this law:   13 And <i>that</i> their children, which have
not known <i>any thing,</i> may hear, and learn to fear the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p6.4">Lord</span> your God, as long as ye live in the
land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p7">The law was given by Moses; so it is said,
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.17" parsed="|John|1|17|0|0" passage="Joh 1:17">John i. 17</scripRef>. He was not only
entrusted to deliver it to that generation, but to transmit it to
the generations to come; and here it appears that he was faithful
to that trust.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p8">I. <i>Moses wrote this law,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.9" parsed="|Deut|31|9|0|0" passage="De 31:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. The learned bishop
Patrick understands this of all the five books of Moses, which are
often called the <i>law;</i> he supposes that though Moses had
written most of the Pentateuch before, yet he did not finish it
till now; now he put his last hand to that sacred volume. Many
think that the law here (especially since it is called <i>this
law,</i> this grand abridgment of the law) is to be understood of
this book of Deuteronomy; all those discourses to the people which
have taken up this whole book, he, being in them divinely inspired,
wrote them as the word of God. He wrote this law, 1. That those who
had heard it might often review it themselves, and call it to mind.
2. That it might be the more safely handed down to posterity. Note,
The church has received abundance of advantage from the writing, as
well as from the preaching, of divine things; faith comes not only
by hearing, but by reading. The same care that was taken of the
law, thanks be to God, is taken of the gospel too; soon after it
was preached it was written, that it might reach to those on whom
the ends of the world shall come.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p9">II. Having written it, he committed it to
the care and custody of the priests and elders. He delivered one
authentic copy to the priests, to be laid up by the ark (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.26" parsed="|Deut|31|26|0|0" passage="De 31:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>), there to remain as a
standard by which all other copies must be tried. And it is
supposed that he gave another copy to the elders of each tribe, to
be transcribed by all of that tribe that were so disposed. Some
observe that the elders, as well as the priests, were entrusted
with the law, to intimate that magistrates by the power, as well as
ministers by their doctrine, are to maintain religion, and to take
care that the law be not broken nor lost.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p10">III. He appointed the public reading of
this law in a general assembly of all Israel every seventh year.
The pious Jews (it is very probable) read the laws daily in their
families, and <i>Moses of old time was read in the synagogue every
sabbath day,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.15.21" parsed="|Acts|15|21|0|0" passage="Ac 15:21">Acts xv.
21</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p11">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,
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.74-Luke.1.75" parsed="|Luke|1|74|1|75" passage="Lu 1:74,75">Luke i. 74, 75</scripRef>. (2.) At
the feast of tabernacles in that year. In that feast they were
particularly required to <i>rejoice before God,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.23.40" parsed="|Lev|23|40|0|0" passage="Le 23:40">Lev. xxiii. 40</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p12">2. To whom it must be read: To <i>all
Israel</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.11" parsed="|Deut|31|11|0|0" passage="De 31:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>),
<i>men, women, and children, and the strangers,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.12" parsed="|Deut|31|12|0|0" passage="De 31:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p13">3. By whom it must be read: <i>Thou shalt
read it</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.11" parsed="|Deut|31|11|0|0" passage="De 31:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>),
"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, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.34-Josh.8.35" parsed="|Josh|8|34|8|35" passage="Jos 8:34,35">Josh.
viii. 34, 35</scripRef>. So did Josiah, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.34.30" parsed="|2Chr|34|30|0|0" passage="2Ch 34:30">2 Chron. xxxiv. 30</scripRef>, and Ezra, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.3" parsed="|Neh|8|3|0|0" passage="Ne 8:3">Neh. viii. 3</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p14">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, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.12" parsed="|Deut|31|12|0|0" passage="De 31:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. 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
(<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.13" parsed="|Deut|31|13|0|0" passage="De 31:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>); 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>
</div><scripCom id="Deu.xxxii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31" parsed="|Deut|31|0|0|0" passage="De 31" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Deu.xxxii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.14-Deut.31.21" parsed="|Deut|31|14|31|21" passage="De 31:14-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.31.14-Deut.31.21">
<h4 id="Deu.xxxii-p14.5">Apostasy Foretold. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p14.6">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Deu.xxxii-p15">14 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p15.1">Lord</span>
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p15.2">Lord</span>
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p15.3">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p16">Here, I. Moses and Joshua are summoned to
attend the divine majesty at the door of the tabernacle, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.14" parsed="|Deut|31|14|0|0" passage="De 31:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p17">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> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.15" parsed="|Deut|31|15|0|0" passage="De 31:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p18">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> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.16" parsed="|Deut|31|16|0|0" passage="De 31:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.18" parsed="|Deut|31|18|0|0" passage="De 31:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>)
forsake their own mercies. This apostasy of theirs is foretold to
be the effect of their prosperity (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.20" parsed="|Deut|31|20|0|0" passage="De 31:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): <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> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.48.8" parsed="|Isa|48|8|0|0" passage="Isa 48:8">Isa. xlviii.
8</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.17" parsed="|Deut|31|17|0|0" passage="De 31:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>):
<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> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.17 Bible:Deut.31.21" parsed="|Deut|31|17|0|0;|Deut|31|21|0|0" passage="De 31:17,21"><i>v.</i> 17, 21</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p18.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.18" parsed="|Deut|31|18|0|0" passage="De 31:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p19">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, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.19" parsed="|Deut|31|19|0|0" passage="De 31:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.24.14" parsed="|Matt|24|14|0|0" passage="Mt 24:14">Matt. xxiv. 14</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.21" parsed="|Deut|31|21|0|0" passage="De 31:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.4.12" parsed="|Heb|4|12|0|0" passage="Heb 4:12">Heb. iv. 12</scripRef>. Compare
<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.14.25" parsed="|1Cor|14|25|0|0" passage="1Co 14:25">1 Cor. xiv. 25</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Deu.xxxii-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.22-Deut.31.30" parsed="|Deut|31|22|31|30" passage="De 31:22-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.31.22-Deut.31.30">
<h4 id="Deu.xxxii-p19.7">The Song of Moses. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p19.8">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Deu.xxxii-p20">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p20.1">Lord</span>, saying,   26 Take this book of the
law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p20.2">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p20.3">Lord</span>;
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.xxxii-p20.4">Lord</span>, 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p21">Here, I. The charge is given to Joshua,
which God has said (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.14" parsed="|Deut|31|14|0|0" passage="De 31:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>) he would give him. The same in effect that Moses had
given him. The same in effect that Moses had given him (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.7" parsed="|Deut|31|7|0|0" passage="De 31:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <i>Be strong and of a
good courage,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.23" parsed="|Deut|31|23|0|0" passage="De 31:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>. 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 put them into possession of
Canaan. If they afterwards by their sin throw themselves out of it
again, that will be no fault of thine, nor any dishonour to thee,
therefore <i>be of good courage.</i>"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p22">II. The solemn delivery of the book of the
law to the Levites, to be deposited in the side of the ark, is here
again related (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.24-Deut.31.26" parsed="|Deut|31|24|31|26" passage="De 31:24-26"><i>v.</i>
24-26</scripRef>), of which before, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.9" parsed="|Deut|31|9|0|0" passage="De 31:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Only they are here directed where
to treasure up this precious original, not in the ark (there only
the two tables were preserved), but in another box <i>by the side
of the ark.</i> It is probable that 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 (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.34.14" parsed="|2Chr|34|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 34:14">2
Chron. xxxiv. 14</scripRef>), 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>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.xxxii-p23">III. The song which follows in the next
chapter is here delivered to Moses, and by him to the people. He
wrote it first (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.22" parsed="|Deut|31|22|0|0" passage="De 31:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>), as the Spirit of God indited it, and then <i>spoke
it in the ears of all the congregation</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.30" parsed="|Deut|31|30|0|0" passage="De 31:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>), and taught it to them
(<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.22" parsed="|Deut|31|22|0|0" passage="De 31:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.28" parsed="|Deut|31|28|0|0" passage="De 31:28"><i>v.</i>
28</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p23.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.27" parsed="|Deut|31|27|0|0" passage="De 31:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p23.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.16" parsed="|Deut|31|16|0|0" passage="De 31:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>) more than from his own
experience of them, though that was discouraging enough, he tells
them (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p23.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.29" parsed="|Deut|31|29|0|0" passage="De 31:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>), <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 (<scripRef id="Deu.xxxii-p23.8" osisRef="Bible:Matt.24.24" parsed="|Matt|24|24|0|0" passage="Mt 24:24">Matt. xxiv. 24</scripRef>), 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>
</div></div2>