Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Deuteronomy Ch.11 / 34 Ch.s
DE:11
* The great work God wrought for Israel. (1-7) Promises and
threatenings. (8-17) Careful study of God's word requisite.
(18-25) The blessings and the curse set forth. (26-32)
#1-7 Observe the connexion of these two; Thou shalt love the
Lord, and keep his charge. Love will work in obedience, and that
only is acceptable obedience which flows from a principle of
love, #1Jo 5:3|. Moses recounts some of the great and terrible
works of God which their eyes had seen. What our eyes have seen,
especially in our early days, should affect us, and make us
better long afterwards.
#8-17 Moses sets before them, for the future, life and death,
the blessing and the curse, according as they did or did not
keep God's commandment. Sin tends to shorten the days of all
men, and to shorten the days of a people's prosperity. God will
bless them with an abundance of all good things, if they would
love him and serve him. Godliness has the promise of the life
that now is; but the favour of God shall put gladness into the
heart, more than the increase of corn, and wine, and oil. Revolt
from God to idols would certainly be their ruin. Take heed that
your hearts be not deceived. All who forsake God to set their
affection upon any creature, will find themselves wretchedly
deceived, to their own destruction; and this will make it worse,
that it was for want of taking heed.
#18-25 Let all be directed by the three rules here given. 1. Let
our hearts be filled with the word of God. There will not be
good practices in the life, unless there be good thoughts, good
affections, and good principles in the heart. 2. Let our eyes be
fixed upon the word of God, having constant regard to it as the
guide of our way, as the rule of our work, #Ps 119:30|. 3. Let
our tongues be employed about the word of God. Nor will any
thing do more to cause prosperity, and keeping up religion in a
nation, than the good education of children.
#26-32 Moses sums up all the arguments for obedience in two
words, the blessing and the curse. He charged the people to
choose which they would have. Moses then appointed a public and
solemn proclamation of the blessing and curse, to be made upon
the two mountains of Gerizim and Ebal. We have broken the law,
and are under its curse, without remedy from ourselves. In
mercy, the gospel again sets before us a blessing and a curse. A
blessing, if we obey the call to repentance, to faith in Christ,
and newness of heart and life through him; an awful curse, if we
neglect so great salvation. Let us thankfully welcome these glad
tidings of great joy; and let us not harden our hearts, but hear
this voice of God while it is called to-day, and while he
invites us to come to him upon a mercy-seat. Let us be diligent
to make our calling and election sure.