Chapter 32:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Numbers Joshua
Deuteronomy 32
Concise Complete
The song of Moses. (1,2) The character of God, The
character of Israel. (3-6) The great things God had done for Israel. (7-14) The
wickedness of Israel. (19-25) The judgments which would come upon them for their
sins. (15-18) Deserved vengeance withheld. (26-38) God's deliverance for his
people. (39-43) The exhortation with which the song was delivered. (44-47) Moses
to go up mount Nebo to die. (48-52)
Verses 1-2
Moses begins with a solemn appeal to heaven and earth, concerning the truth and
importance of what he was about to say. His doctrine is the gospel, the speech
of God, the doctrine of Christ; the doctrine of grace and mercy through him, and
of life and salvation by him.
Verses 3-6 "He is a Rock." This is the first time God is called so in Scripture. The
expression denotes that the Divine power, faithfulness, and love, as revealed in
Christ and the gospel, form a foundation which cannot be changed or moved, on
which we may build our hopes of happiness. And under his protection we may find
refuge from all our enemies, and in all our troubles; as the rocks in those
countries sheltered from the burning rays of the sun, and from tempests, or were
fortresses from the enemy. "His work is perfect:" that of redemption and
salvation, in which there is a display of all the Divine perfection, complete in
all its parts. All God's dealings with his creatures are regulated by wisdom
which cannot err, and perfect justice. He is indeed just and right; he takes
care that none shall lose by him. A high charge is exhibited against Israel.
Even God's children have their spots, while in this imperfect state; for if we
say we have no sin, no spot, we deceive ourselves. But the sin of Israel was not
habitual, notorious, unrepented sin; which is a certain mark of the children of
Satan. They were fools to forsake their mercies for lying vanities. All wilful
sinners, especially sinners in Israel, are unwise and ungrateful.
Verses 7-14
Moses gives particular instances of God's kindness and concern for them. The
eagle's care for her young is a beautiful emblem of Christ's love, who came
between Divine justice and our guilty souls, and bare our sins in his own body
on the tree. And by the preached gospel, and the influences of the Holy Spirit,
He stirs up and prevails upon sinners to leave Satan's bondage.
their spiritual
enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, in and through Christ. Also of their safety
and triumph in him; of their happy frames of soul, when they are above the
world, and the things of it. This will be the blessed case of spiritual Israel
in every sense in the latter day.
Verses
15-18 Here are two instances of the wickedness of Israel, each was apostacy
from God. These people were called Jeshurun, "an upright people," so some; "a
seeing people," so others: but they soon lost the reputation both of their
knowledge and of their righteousness. They indulged their appetites, as if they
had nothing to do but to make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it.
Those who make a god of themselves, and a god of their bellies, in pride and
wantonness, and cannot bear to be told of it, thereby forsake God, and show they
esteem him lightly. There is but one way of a sinner's acceptance and
sanctification, however different modes of irreligion, or false religion, may
show that favourable regard for other ways, which is often miscalled candid. How
mad are idolaters, who forsake the Rock of salvation, to run themselves upon the
rock of perdition!
Verses
19-25 The revolt of Israel was described in the foregoing verses, and here
follow the resolves of Divine justice as to them. We deceive ourselves, if we
think that God will be mocked by a faithless people. Sin makes us hateful in the
sight of the holy God. See what mischief sin does, and reckon those to be fools
that mock at it.
Verses
26-38 The idolatry and rebellions of Israel deserved, and the justice of God
seemed to demand, that they should be rooted out. But He spared Israel, and
continues them still to be living witnesses of the truth of the Bible, and to
silence unbelievers. They are preserved for wise and holy purposes and the
prophecies give us some idea what those purposes are. The Lord will never
disgrace the throne of his glory. It is great wisdom, and will help much to the
return of sinners to God, seriously to consider their latter end, or the future
state. It is here meant particularly of what God foretold by Moses, about this
people in the latter days; but it may be applied generally. Oh that men would
consider the happiness they will lose, and the misery they will certainly plunge
into, if they go on in their trespasses! What will be in the end thereof?
jeremiah 5:31. For the
Lord will in due time bring down the enemies of the church, in displeasure
against their wickedness. When sinners deem themselves most secure, they
suddenly fall into destruction. And God's time to appear for the deliverance of
his people, is when things are at the worst with them. But those who trust to
any rock but God, will find it fail them when they most need it. The rejection
of the Messiah by the Jewish nation, is the continuance of their ancient
idolatry, apostacy, and rebellion. They shall be brought to humble themselves
before the Lord, to repent of their sins, and to trust in their long-rejected
Mediator for salvation. Then he will deliver them, and make their prosperity
great.
Verses
39-43 This conclusion of the song speaks, 1. Glory to God. No escape can be
made from his power. 2. It speaks terror to his enemies. Terror indeed to those
who hate him. The wrath of God is here revealed from heaven against them. 3. It
speaks comfort to his own people. The song concludes with words of joy. Whatever
judgments are brought upon sinners, it shall go well with the people of God.
Verses
44-47 Here is the solemn delivery of this song to Israel, with a charge to
mind all the good words Moses had said unto them. It is not a trifle, but a
matter of life and death: mind it, and you are made for ever; neglect it, and
you are for ever undone. Oh that men were fully persuaded that religion is their
life, even the life of their souls!
Verses
48-52 Now Moses had done his work, why should he desire to live a day
longer? God reminds him of the sin of which he had been guilty, for which he was
kept from entering Canaan. It is good for the best of men to die repenting the
infirmities of which they are conscious. But those may die with comfort and
ease, whenever God calls for them, notwithstanding the sins they remember
against themselves, who have a believing prospect, and a well-grounded hope of
eternal life beyond death.
Chapter 32:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Numbers Joshua
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
