Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Deuteronomy Ch.9 / 34 Ch.s
DE:9
* The Israelites not to think their success came by their own
worthiness. (1-6) Moses reminds the Israelites of their
rebellions. (7-29)
#1-6 Moses represents the strength of the enemies they were now
to encounter. This was to drive them to God, and engage their
hope in him. He assures them of victory, by the presence of God
with them. He cautions them not to have the least thought of
their own righteousness, as if that procured this favour at
God's hand. In Christ we have both righteousness and strength;
in Him we must glory, not in ourselves, nor in any sufficiency
of our own. It is for the wickedness of these nations that God
drives them out. All whom God rejects, are rejected for their
own wickedness; but none whom he accepts are accepted for their
own righteousness. Thus boasting is for ever done away: see #Eph
2:9,11,12|.
#7-29 That the Israelites might have no pretence to think that
God brought them to Canaan for their righteousness, Moses shows
what a miracle of mercy it was, that they had not been destroyed
in the wilderness. It is good for us often to remember against
ourselves, with sorrow and shame, our former sins; that we may
see how much we are indebted to free grace, and may humbly own
that we never merited any thing but wrath and the curse at God's
hand. For so strong is our propensity to pride, that it will
creep in under one pretence or another. We are ready to fancy
that our righteousness has got for us the special favour of the
Lord, though in reality our wickedness is more plain than our
weakness. But when the secret history of every man's life shall
be brought forth at the day of judgment, all the world will be
proved guilty before God. At present, One pleads for us before
the mercy-seat, who not only fasted, but died upon the cross for
our sins; through whom we may approach, though self-condemned
sinners, and beseech for undeserved mercy and for eternal life,
as the gift of God in Him. Let us refer all the victory, all the
glory, and all the praise, to Him who alone bringeth salvation.