Deuteronomy · Chapter 9

V. 1. Hear, O Israel-This seems to be a new discourse, delivered at some distance of time from the former, probably on the next sabbath-day. This day-That is, shortly, within a little time, the word day being often put for time. Nations-That is, the land of those nations. Mightier than thyself-This he adds, that they might not trust to their own strength, but rely upon God’s help for the destroying them, and, after the work was done, might ascribe the glory of it to God alone, and not to themselves.

Verse 1. Thou art to pass over Jordan this day] היום haiyom, this time; they had come thirty-eight years before this nearly to the verge of the promised land, but were not permitted at that day or time to pass over, because of their rebellions; but this time they shall certainly pass over. This was spoken about the eleventh month of the fortieth year of their journeying, and it was on the first month of the following year they passed over; and during this interim Moses died.

Verses 1, 2. This seems to be a new discourse, delivered at some distance of time from the former, probably on the next sabbath day. This day — That is, shortly, within a little time, the word day being often put for time. To possess nations — That is, the land of those nations. Mightier than thyself — This he adds that they might not trust to their own strength, but wholly rely upon God’s help for the conquering them, and after the work was done, might ascribe the glory of it to God alone, and not to themselves. Who can stand — This seems to have been a proverb used in those times.

Verse 1. This day; at this time, or in the course of a month. Day is often used in scripture for the whole of a man’s life, for a season, and for a short time.

1. Nations greater… cities great and fenced — This description of the nations and cities is similar to what we have in Deuteronomy 1:38. Whom thou knowest — The majority of the spies who had been sent to search the land brought back reports which the people credited, and which disheartened them. See Deuteronomy 1:28, also Numbers 12:28.

V. 2. Who can stand-This seems to be a proverb used in those times.

Verses 1, 2. This seems to be a new discourse, delivered at some distance of time from the former, probably on the next sabbath day. This day — That is, shortly, within a little time, the word day being often put for time. To possess nations — That is, the land of those nations. Mightier than thyself — This he adds that they might not trust to their own strength, but wholly rely upon God’s help for the conquering them, and after the work was done, might ascribe the glory of it to God alone, and not to themselves. Who can stand — This seems to have been a proverb used in those times.

Verse 3. As a consuming fire — Before whom thine enemies shall be as easily consumed as stubble before the flames. So shalt thou drive them out — quickly — Not the whole seven nations, whom he said

(Deuteronomy 7:22,) God would drive out by little and little, but so many as to make a settlement for them in Canaan.

3. Understand therefore — It is better not to render the verb as an imperative. It should be read in connexion with the first verse. Thou art to pass over Jordan at this time, and thou shalt know this day that Jehovah thy God, he that goeth before thee, a consuming fire, he will destroy them. So shalt thou drive them out. Some critics, as Knobel and Colenso, write as if the speaker, in the ardour of his discourse, had forgotten that he had earlier said, Thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee, (Deuteronomy 7:22.) There the thought expressed is that the whole land is not at one fell blow to be depopulated. Here the speaker has in mind those whom they are to meet in battle. Over them they are to have overwhelming victory.

4, 5. Speak not,… For my righteousness — Moses sees as one of the perils to which the people will be exposed the disposition to ascribe their success to themselves, or as bestowed upon them on account of their own righteousness; so he repeats, to make it more impressive, Not for thy righteousness,… but for the wickedness of these nations. In verses 7-24 Moses reminds the people of the long record of their rebellious acts against Jehovah. From Egypt to the borders of the land promised to them for an inheritance they have murmured and rebelled.

V. 5. Not for thy righteousness-Neither for thy upright heart, nor holy life, which are the two things which God above all things regards. And consequently he excludes all merit. And surely they who did not deserve this earthly Canaan, could not merit the kingdom of glory. To perform the word-To shew my faithfulness in accomplishing that promise which I graciously made and confirmed with my oath.

Verse 5. For the wickedness of these nations] So then it was not by any sovereign act of God that these people were cast out, but for their wickedness; they had transgressed the law of their Creator; they had resisted his Spirit, and could no longer be tolerated. The Israelites were to possess their land, not because they deserved it, but first, because they were less wicked than the others; and secondly, because God thus chose to begin the great work of his salvation among men. Thus then the Canaanites were cut off, and the Israelites were grafted in; and the Israelites, because of their wickedness, were afterwards cut off and the Gentiles grafted in. Let the latter not be high-minded, but fear; if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he spare not thee. But let it be remembered that this land was originally their own, and that the present possessors had no legal right to it.

Verse 5. Not for thy righteousness — Neither for thy upright heart nor holy life, the two things which God, above all others, regards. Here, therefore, all merit in them is excluded: and they are given to know that, although the Canaanites were expelled for their national wickedness, they were not settled in their room for their righteousness. And surely they, who did not deserve this earthly Canaan, could not merit the kingdom of glory. To perform the word — To show my faithfulness in accomplishing that promise which I graciously made and confirmed with my oath.

4, 5. Speak not,… For my righteousness — Moses sees as one of the perils to which the people will be exposed the disposition to ascribe their success to themselves, or as bestowed upon them on account of their own righteousness; so he repeats, to make it more impressive, Not for thy righteousness,… but for the wickedness of these nations. In verses 7-24 Moses reminds the people of the long record of their rebellious acts against Jehovah. From Egypt to the borders of the land promised to them for an inheritance they have murmured and rebelled.

V. 6. Stiff-necked-Rebellious and perverse, and so destitute of all pretence of righteousness. And thus our gaining possession of the heavenly Canaan, must be ascribed to God’s power, not our own might, and to God’s Grace, not our own merit. In him we must glory.

Verse 7. Stiff-necked — Rebellious and perverse, and so destitute of all pretence to righteousness. And thus our gaining possession of the heavenly Canaan must be ascribed to God’s power and grace, and not to our own might or merit. In him we must glory, and not in ourselves.

V. 8. In Horeb-When your miraculous deliverance out of Egypt was fresh in memory; when God had but newly manifested himself to you in so stupendous and dreadful a manner, and had taken you into covenant with himself, when God was actually conferring farther mercies upon you.

Verse 8. Also in Horeb ye provoked the Lord — Rather, even in Horeb; for there is an emphasis in this. Even when your miraculous deliverance out of Egypt was fresh in your memories; when God had but newly manifested himself to you, and delivered you the law in so stupendous and awful a manner, and with such visible displays of his divine majesty; when he had just taken you into covenant with himself, and was actually conferring still further mercies upon you.

8. Also in Horeb ye provoked the Lord — How startling the indictment against them! How emphatic the condemnation! Their sins are brought out in bold relief, with the background of Horeb, the mountain of God, to deepen the effect. The mountain was radiant with the august splendour of the divine presence, the words of the law were echoing from the craggy granite peaks; the people are turning back in their hearts to the land of their taskmasters. At the very time Moses is in communion with Jehovah, while for forty days and forty nights he neither eats bread nor drinks water, the people, instead of fasting and praying and worshipping, turn to idolatrous rites.

9. When I was gone… to receive the tables of stone — How incisive these words of rebuke! At the time when Moses was occupied with the holiest of duties — waiting to receive the tables of the law from Jehovah’s own hand, forgetful of himself, with no thought for his bodily wants — even then the people are preparing for the worship of a golden calf! Their apostasy at such a time seems almost unaccountable.

V. 10. With the finger of God-Immediately and miraculously, which was done not only to procure the greater reverence to the law, but also to signify, that it is the work of God alone to write this law upon the tables of men’s hearts. In the day of the assembly-That is, when the people were gathered by God’s command to the bottom of mount Sinai, to hear and receive God’s ten commandments from his own mouth.

Verse 10. Tables of stone] See Clarke’s notes on “Exodus 31:18”, and See Clarke “Exodus 32:15”; “Exodus 32:16”.

Verse 10. With the finger of God — Immediately and miraculously, which was done not only to procure the greater reverence to the law, but also to signify that it is the work of God alone to write this law upon the table of men’s hearts. In the day of the assembly — That is, when the people were gathered by God’s command to the bottom of mount Sinai, to hear and receive God’s ten commandments from his own mouth.

Verse 12. Thy people-have corrupted themselves] Debased themselves by making and worshipping an Egyptian idol. See Clarke on “Exodus 32:1”, &c.

12-14. Get thee down quickly — The words of Jehovah are taken almost literally from Exodus 33:7-10.

12-14. Get thee down quickly — The words of Jehovah are taken almost literally from Exodus 33:7-10.

V. 14. Let me alone!-Stop me not by thy intercession.

Verse 14. Let me alone — Stop me not by thy intercession: desist from all prayer and pleading in their behalf.

12-14. Get thee down quickly — The words of Jehovah are taken almost literally from Exodus 33:7-10.

V. 17. I brake them before your eyes-Not by an unbridled passion, but in zeal for God’s honour, and by the direction of God’s spirit, to signify to tine people, that the covenant between God and them contained in those tables was broken and they were now cast out of God’s favour, and could expect nothing from him but fiery indignation.

Verse 17. I brake them before your eyes — Not by an unbridled passion, but it zeal for God’s honour, and by the direction of God’s Spirit; to signify to the people that the covenant between God and them, contained in those tables, was broken, and that they were now cast out of God’s favour, and could expect nothing from him but fiery indignation.

17. I took the two tables,… and brake them before your eyes — This was equivalent to declaring that the covenant which Jehovah had made with them was now broken by their apostasy. Comp. Exodus 32:1-17.

V. 18. I fell down-In a way of humiliation and supplication, on your behalf.

18. As at the first, forty days — Moses spends a second period in fasting. Comp. Exodus 34:28.

Ver. 19. I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure. To this text St. Paul refers, Hebrews 12:21. The fire on mount Sinai terrified the people at the promulgation of the law; but we do not read that Moses was terrified till God testified his anger by some most vivid appearance of the fire because of the calf. So alarmed was Moses at the sight, that he ceased to pray for Israel, and hasted to destroy the idol.

Ver. 20. I prayed for Aaron. Many a one would die for his sin, if he had not a brother or friend to stand in the gap, and pray for him. And if the Lord so often, as in verse 27, yielded to the name of Abraham, and Isaac, because of his covenant; how much more will he yield to the name of his beloved Son?

20. I prayed for Aaron also — Not only upon the people, but also upon Aaron, rested the indignation of Jehovah. Moses acts as a mediator for his brother. In the accounts in Exodus 32 there is no special mention of this intercession. Here Moses makes it prominent, not only that he might make the people thoroughly aware that at that time Israel could not even boast of the righteousness of its eminent men, but also to bring out the fact that Aaron’s investiture with the high priesthood and the maintenance of that institution was purely a work of divine grace. — Keil.

V. 21. Into the brook-That there might be no monument or remembrance of it left.

Verse 21. I took your sin, the calf which ye had made] See this fully explained, Clarke “Exodus 32:20”.

Verse 21. I cast the dust thereof into the brook — That there might be no monument nor remembrance of the calf left.

21. I took your sin, the calf — The word which is here translated sin is used sometimes for that which is the occasion of sin. Comp. Hosea 10:8.

Verse 22. At Kibroth-hattaavah] See Clarke’s note on “Numbers 11:34”.

22, 23. Not only at Horeb was Jehovah angry with the people, but at Taberah, where they were discontented with the divine guidance, (Numbers 11:1,) and at Massah, where they murmured on account of water, (Exodus 17:1,) and at Kibroth-hattaavah, the graves of lust, (Numbers 11:4,) where they showed their loathing for the food Jehovah furnished, and longed for the abundant provisions of Egypt, and at Kadesh-barnea, where they were unbelieving, disobedient, and rebellious. Taberah, burning, is not named in the list of the encampments. It was probably near the place called Kibroth-hattaavah.

22, 23. Not only at Horeb was Jehovah angry with the people, but at Taberah, where they were discontented with the divine guidance, (Numbers 11:1,) and at Massah, where they murmured on account of water, (Exodus 17:1,) and at Kibroth-hattaavah, the graves of lust, (Numbers 11:4,) where they showed their loathing for the food Jehovah furnished, and longed for the abundant provisions of Egypt, and at Kadesh-barnea, where they were unbelieving, disobedient, and rebellious. Taberah, burning, is not named in the list of the encampments. It was probably near the place called Kibroth-hattaavah.

V. 25. I fell down forty days-The same as were mentioned before, Deuteronomy 9:18, as appears by comparing this with Exodus, where this history is more fully related, and where this is said to be done twice only.

Verse 25. I fell down — In a way of humiliation and supplication, on your behalf. Forty days — The same forty that were mentioned verse 18, as appears by comparing this with the account given in Exodus, where this history is more fully related, and where this is related to have been done twice only. See Exodus 32:10, and 33:5.

25-29. Remember thy servants — After the above enumeration of the principal occasions when the people awakened the anger of Jehovah, Moses returns to the apostasy at Horeb. He repeats the substance of his intercession with Jehovah, as given in Exodus 32:11-13.

V. 26. Through thy greatness-Through the greatness of thy power, which appeared most eminently in that work.

Verses 26-29. Redeemed through thy greatness — The greatness of thy power and goodness, which appeared most eminently in that work. Remember thy servants Abraham, &c. — That is, thy promise made and sworn to them. They are thy people — Whom thou hast chosen to thyself out of all mankind.

25-29. Remember thy servants — After the above enumeration of the principal occasions when the people awakened the anger of Jehovah, Moses returns to the apostasy at Horeb. He repeats the substance of his intercession with Jehovah, as given in Exodus 32:11-13.

V. 27. Thy servants-That is, the promise made and sworn to thy servants.

Verse 27. Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob] As if he had said: “These are their descendants, and the covenant was made with those patriarchs in behalf of these.” God bestows many blessings on comparatively worthless persons, either for the sake of their pious ancestors, or on account of the religious people with whom they are connected; therefore union with the Church of God is a blessing of no common magnitude. The reader will find the grand subject of this chapter explained at large in the notes on Exod. 31. and 32., to which he is particularly desired to refer.

DEUTERONOMY

Verses 26-29. Redeemed through thy greatness — The greatness of thy power and goodness, which appeared most eminently in that work. Remember thy servants Abraham, &c. — That is, thy promise made and sworn to them. They are thy people — Whom thou hast chosen to thyself out of all mankind.

25-29. Remember thy servants — After the above enumeration of the principal occasions when the people awakened the anger of Jehovah, Moses returns to the apostasy at Horeb. He repeats the substance of his intercession with Jehovah, as given in Exodus 32:11-13.

Verses 26-29. Redeemed through thy greatness — The greatness of thy power and goodness, which appeared most eminently in that work. Remember thy servants Abraham, &c. — That is, thy promise made and sworn to them. They are thy people — Whom thou hast chosen to thyself out of all mankind.

25-29. Remember thy servants — After the above enumeration of the principal occasions when the people awakened the anger of Jehovah, Moses returns to the apostasy at Horeb. He repeats the substance of his intercession with Jehovah, as given in Exodus 32:11-13.

V. 29. Thy people-Whom thou hast chosen to thyself out of all mankind, and publickly owned them for thine, and hast purchased and redeemed them from the Egyptians.

Verses 26-29. Redeemed through thy greatness — The greatness of thy power and goodness, which appeared most eminently in that work. Remember thy servants Abraham, &c. — That is, thy promise made and sworn to them. They are thy people — Whom thou hast chosen to thyself out of all mankind.

25-29. Remember thy servants — After the above enumeration of the principal occasions when the people awakened the anger of Jehovah, Moses returns to the apostasy at Horeb. He repeats the substance of his intercession with Jehovah, as given in Exodus 32:11-13.