Thy fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons ,.... That is, in all; for there were not seventy besides Jacob and the patriarchs his sons, but with them; see Genesis 46:26 and now the Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude; as he promised they should be, Genesis 15:5 . read more
With threescore and ten persons - And now, from so small a beginning, they were multiplied to more than 600,000 souls; and this indeed in the space of forty years, for the 603,000 which came out of Egypt were at this time all dead but Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. How easily can God increase and multiply, and how easily diminish and bring low! In all things, because of his unlimited power, he can do whatsoever he will; and he will do whatsoever is right. On a very important subject in this... read more
New obedience. Moses, having detailed the success of his intercession in Horeb, and that the threatened doom was averted and the pilgrimage proceeded with, goes on in this passage to analyze the obedience to be rendered. It is all summed up in fearing the Lord, walking in his ways, loving him, serving him with heart and soul, and keeping his commandments. Let us try to grasp the description of new obedience here presented. I. ISRAEL WAS TO BE A GOD - FEARING PEOPLE . A... read more
Knowledge of God the parent of obedient faith. Every honest view we take of God's service brings to light fresh features of attractiveness. It is the only right course. It satisfies conscience, reason, affection, desire. Having right dispositions and purposes in life, all larger knowledge of God makes service pleasant; yea, true service ministers to our best life. I. THE REASONABLENESS OF GOD 'S SERVICE HAY RE DEDUCED FROM THE PERFECTION OF HIS CHARACTER . ... read more
The supreme persuasive. The revelation of God's character in its double aspect of exalted might and of condescending grace. I. GOD EXALTED , YET STOOPING . ( Deuteronomy 10:14-16 .) The wonder of revelation: 1. That One so exalted should stoop at all . The wonder is not abated by reflecting that infinite perfection must include infinite mercy with every other attribute. It fills us with amazement to think of the Possessor of heaven and earth stooping to hold friendly... read more
Among other marvelous acts toward Israel, was one done in Israel itself; they, whoso fathers went down to Egypt only seventy in number ( Genesis 46:26 , Genesis 46:27 ), had, notwithstanding the cruel oppression to which they were subjected there, grown to a nation numberless as the stars (cf. Genesis 22:17 ; Deuteronomy 1:10 ; Nehemiah 9:23 ). HOMILETICS read more
What God demands of Israel (10:12-11:32)In summary, Moses’ instruction to Israel as a people was that they were to fear, obey, love and serve God, in the assurance that he desired only their good (12-13). He had chosen them in mercy, and he wanted them likewise to show mercy to others. They were to have humble purity of heart and genuine love, both in their relations with him and in their relations with others (14-20). They were not to be arrogant or boastful, but were to remember their humble... read more
went down. Compare Genesis 46:27 . Exodus 1:5 . threescore and ten. See notes on Genesis 46:27 . Acts 7:14 . persons = souls. Hebrew, plural of nephesh. as the stars. Compare Genesis 22:17 ; Genesis 26:4 .Exodus 32:13 . 1 Chronicles 27:23 .Nehemiah 9:23 . Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6 . read more
Admonition to fear and love God 10:12-22Having recited what God had done for the Israelites, Moses now called on them to respond and make a commitment to Him."The structure of the passage reveals an enveloping pattern in which injunctions to obey God (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Deuteronomy 20-22) embrace the corollary command to exhibit proper care and concern for other people, especially the socially and economically disadvantaged (Deuteronomy 10:14-19). The motive clause and that which binds the... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Here is a most pathetic exhortation to obedience, inferred from the premises, and urged with very powerful arguments and a great deal of persuasive rhetoric. Moses brings it in like an orator, with an appeal to his auditors And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee? Deut. 10:12. Ask what he requires; as David (Ps. 116:12), What shall I render? When we have received mercy from God it becomes us to enquire what returns we shall make to him. Consider what he requires, and you... read more