Deuteronomy 29

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)

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).