1. These are the words of the covenant--The discourse of Moses is
continued, and the subject of that discourse was Israel's covenant with
God, the privileges it conferred, and the obligations it imposed.
beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb--It was
substantially the same; but it was renewed now, in different
circumstances. They had violated its conditions. Moses rehearses these,
that they might have a better knowledge of its conditions and be more
disposed to comply with them.
2. Moses called unto all Israel, . . . Ye have seen all that the Lord
did, &c.--This appeal to the experience of the people, though made
generally, was applicable only to that portion of them who had been
very young at the period of the Exodus, and who remembered the
marvellous transactions that preceded and followed that era. Yet, alas!
those wonderful events made no good impression upon them
(De 29:4).
They were strangers to that grace of wisdom which is liberally given to
all who ask it; and their insensibility was all the more inexcusable
that so many miracles had been performed which might have led to a
certain conviction of the presence and the power of God with them. The
preservation of their clothes and shoes, the supply of daily food and
fresh water--these continued without interruption or diminution during
so many years' sojourn in the desert. They were miracles which
unmistakably proclaimed the immediate hand of God and were performed
for the express purpose of training them to a practical knowledge of,
and habitual confidence in, Him. Their experience of this extraordinary
goodness and care, together with their remembrance of the brilliant
successes by which, with little exertion or loss on their part, God
enabled them to acquire the valuable territory on which they stood, is
mentioned again to enforce a faithful adherence to the covenant, as the
direct and sure means of obtaining its promised blessings.
10-29. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God--The
whole congregation of Israel, of all ages and conditions, all--young as
well as old; menials as well as masters; native Israelites as well as
naturalized strangers--all were assembled before the tabernacle to
renew the Sinaitic covenant. None of them were allowed to consider
themselves as exempt from the terms of that national compact, lest any
lapsing into idolatry might prove a root of bitterness, spreading its
noxious seed and corrupt influence all around (compare
Heb 12:15).
It was of the greatest consequence thus to reach the heart and
conscience of everyone, for some might delude themselves with the vain
idea that by taking the oath
(De 29:12)
by which they engaged themselves in covenant with God, they would
surely secure its blessings. Then, even though they would not rigidly
adhere to His worship and commands, but would follow the devices and
inclinations of their own hearts, yet they would think that He would
wink at such liberties and not punish them. It was of the greatest
consequence to impress all with the strong and abiding conviction, that
while the covenant of grace had special blessings belonging to it, it
at the same time had curses in reserve for transgressors, the
infliction of which would be as certain, as lasting and severe. This
was the advantage contemplated in the law being rehearsed a second
time. The picture of a once rich and flourishing region, blasted and
doomed in consequence of the sins of its inhabitants, is very striking,
and calculated to awaken awe in every reflecting mind. Such is, and
long has been, the desolate state of Palestine; and, in looking at its
ruined cities, its blasted coast, its naked mountains, its sterile and
parched soil--all the sad and unmistakable evidences of a land lying
under a curse--numbers of travellers from Europe, America, and the
Indies ("strangers from a far country,"
De 29:22)
in the present day see that the Lord has executed His threatening. Who
can resist the conclusion that it has been inflicted "because the
inhabitants had forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers.
. . . and the anger of the Lord was kindled against this
land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this
book"?
29. The secret things belong unto the Lord--This verse has no apparent
connection with the thread of discourse. It is thought to have been
said in answer to the looks of astonishment or the words of inquiry as
to whether they would be ever so wicked as to deserve such punishments.
The recorded history of God's providential dealings towards Israel
presents a wonderful combination of "goodness and severity." There is
much of it involved in mystery too profound for our limited capacities
to fathom; but, from the comprehensive wisdom displayed in those parts
which have been made known to us, we are prepared to enter into the
full spirit of the apostle's exclamation, "How unsearchable are his
judgments"
(Ro 11:33).
Deuteronomy 29 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
De 29:1-29. AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE.
1. These are the words of the covenant--The discourse of Moses is continued, and the subject of that discourse was Israel's covenant with God, the privileges it conferred, and the obligations it imposed.
beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb--It was substantially the same; but it was renewed now, in different circumstances. They had violated its conditions. Moses rehearses these, that they might have a better knowledge of its conditions and be more disposed to comply with them.
2. Moses called unto all Israel, . . . Ye have seen all that the Lord did, &c.--This appeal to the experience of the people, though made generally, was applicable only to that portion of them who had been very young at the period of the Exodus, and who remembered the marvellous transactions that preceded and followed that era. Yet, alas! those wonderful events made no good impression upon them (De 29:4). They were strangers to that grace of wisdom which is liberally given to all who ask it; and their insensibility was all the more inexcusable that so many miracles had been performed which might have led to a certain conviction of the presence and the power of God with them. The preservation of their clothes and shoes, the supply of daily food and fresh water--these continued without interruption or diminution during so many years' sojourn in the desert. They were miracles which unmistakably proclaimed the immediate hand of God and were performed for the express purpose of training them to a practical knowledge of, and habitual confidence in, Him. Their experience of this extraordinary goodness and care, together with their remembrance of the brilliant successes by which, with little exertion or loss on their part, God enabled them to acquire the valuable territory on which they stood, is mentioned again to enforce a faithful adherence to the covenant, as the direct and sure means of obtaining its promised blessings.
10-29. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God--The whole congregation of Israel, of all ages and conditions, all--young as well as old; menials as well as masters; native Israelites as well as naturalized strangers--all were assembled before the tabernacle to renew the Sinaitic covenant. None of them were allowed to consider themselves as exempt from the terms of that national compact, lest any lapsing into idolatry might prove a root of bitterness, spreading its noxious seed and corrupt influence all around (compare Heb 12:15). It was of the greatest consequence thus to reach the heart and conscience of everyone, for some might delude themselves with the vain idea that by taking the oath (De 29:12) by which they engaged themselves in covenant with God, they would surely secure its blessings. Then, even though they would not rigidly adhere to His worship and commands, but would follow the devices and inclinations of their own hearts, yet they would think that He would wink at such liberties and not punish them. It was of the greatest consequence to impress all with the strong and abiding conviction, that while the covenant of grace had special blessings belonging to it, it at the same time had curses in reserve for transgressors, the infliction of which would be as certain, as lasting and severe. This was the advantage contemplated in the law being rehearsed a second time. The picture of a once rich and flourishing region, blasted and doomed in consequence of the sins of its inhabitants, is very striking, and calculated to awaken awe in every reflecting mind. Such is, and long has been, the desolate state of Palestine; and, in looking at its ruined cities, its blasted coast, its naked mountains, its sterile and parched soil--all the sad and unmistakable evidences of a land lying under a curse--numbers of travellers from Europe, America, and the Indies ("strangers from a far country," De 29:22) in the present day see that the Lord has executed His threatening. Who can resist the conclusion that it has been inflicted "because the inhabitants had forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers. . . . and the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book"?
29. The secret things belong unto the Lord--This verse has no apparent connection with the thread of discourse. It is thought to have been said in answer to the looks of astonishment or the words of inquiry as to whether they would be ever so wicked as to deserve such punishments. The recorded history of God's providential dealings towards Israel presents a wonderful combination of "goodness and severity." There is much of it involved in mystery too profound for our limited capacities to fathom; but, from the comprehensive wisdom displayed in those parts which have been made known to us, we are prepared to enter into the full spirit of the apostle's exclamation, "How unsearchable are his judgments" (Ro 11:33).