You shall not do all the things that we do here today, every man whatever is right in his own eyes; for you haven’t yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which Yahweh your God gives you. But when you go over the Jordan and dwell in the land which Yahweh your God causes you to inherit, and he gives you rest from all your enemies around you, so that you dwell in safety, then it shall happen that to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Yahweh.
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Deuteronomy 12:8-11 sits inside this longer paragraph.
These are the statutes and the ordinances which you shall observe to do in the land which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess all the days that you live on the earth. You shall surely destroy all the places in which the nations that you shall dispossess served their gods: on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree. You shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, and burn their Asherah poles with fire. You shall cut down the engraved images of their gods. You shall destroy their name out of that place. You shall not do so to Yahweh your God. But to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, you shall seek his habitation, and you shall come there. You shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, your vows, your free will offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock there. There you shall eat before Yahweh your God, and you shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, in which Yahweh your God has blessed you. You shall not do all the things that we do here today, every man whatever is right in his own eyes; for you haven’t yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which Yahweh your God gives you. But when you go over the Jordan and dwell in the land which Yahweh your God causes you to inherit, and he gives you rest from all your enemies around you, so that you dwell in safety, then it shall happen that to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Yahweh. You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God—you, and your sons, your daughters, your male servants, your female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you. Be careful that you don’t offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; but in the place which Yahweh chooses in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.
Parallel Translations
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You shall not do all the things that we do here today, every man whatever is right in his own eyes;
for you haven’t yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which Yahweh your God gives you.
But when you go over the Jordan and dwell in the land which Yahweh your God causes you to inherit, and he gives you rest from all your enemies around you, so that you dwell in safety,
then it shall happen that to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Yahweh.
-
Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.
For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.
But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:
Show all 3 translations
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Ye shall not do after all that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes;
for ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth thee.
But when ye go over the Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God causeth you to inherit, and He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
then it shall come to pass that the place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD.
Cross-references (52)
- Judges 21:25 (v8) In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes.
- Judges 17:6 (v8) In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes.
- Deuteronomy 12:5 (v11) But to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, you shall seek his habitation, and you…
- Deuteronomy 15:20 (v11) You shall eat it before Yahweh your God year by year in the place which Yahweh shall choose, you and your household.
- 1 Kings 8:56 (v9) “Blessed be Yahweh, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his…
Show all 52 cross-references
- Proverbs 21:2 (v8) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
- Ezekiel 34:28 (v10) They will no more be a prey to the nations, neither will the animals of the earth devour them; but they will dwell securely, and no one…
- Numbers 15:39 (v8) It shall be to you for a fringe, that you may see it, and remember all Yahweh’s commandments, and do them; and that you don’t follow your…
- Deuteronomy 25:19 (v9) Therefore it shall be, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies all around, in the land which Yahweh your God gives…
- Psalms 95:11 (v9) Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They won’t enter into my rest.”
- Jeremiah 33:11 (v10) the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, ‘Give…
- Acts 7:42 (v8) But God turned, and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did you offer to me slain…
- Deuteronomy 3:27 (v10) Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift up your eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and see with your eyes; for you…
- Deuteronomy 4:22 (v10) but I must die in this land. I must not go over the Jordan, but you shall go over and possess that good land.
- Deuteronomy 11:31 (v10) For you are to pass over the Jordan to go in to possess the land which Yahweh your God gives you, and you shall possess it and dwell in it.
- Deuteronomy 16:2-8 (v11) You shall sacrifice the Passover to Yahweh your God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which Yahweh shall choose to cause his name to…
- Deuteronomy 17:8 (v11) If there arises a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being…
- Deuteronomy 18:6 (v11) If a Levite comes from any of your gates out of all Israel where he lives, and comes with all the desire of his soul to the place which…
- Micah 2:10 (v9) Arise, and depart! For this is not your resting place, because of uncleanness that destroys, even with a grievous destruction.
- John 4:20-23 (v11) Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her,…
- Hebrews 4:8-9 (v9) For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people…
- Leviticus 25:18-19 (v10) “ ‘Therefore you shall do my statutes, and keep my ordinances and do them; and you shall dwell in the land in safety. The land shall yield…
- Deuteronomy 9:1 (v10) Hear, Israel! You are to pass over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and…
- Deuteronomy 12:14 (v11) but in the place which Yahweh chooses in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I…
- Deuteronomy 12:18 (v11) but you shall eat them before Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose: you, your son, your daughter, your male…
- Deuteronomy 12:21 (v11) If the place which Yahweh your God shall choose to put his name is too far from you, then you shall kill of your herd and of your flock,…
- Deuteronomy 12:26 (v11) Only your holy things which you have, and your vows, you shall take and go to the place which Yahweh shall choose.
- Deuteronomy 14:23 (v11) You shall eat before Yahweh your God, in the place which he chooses to cause his name to dwell, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine,…
- Deuteronomy 23:16 (v11) He shall dwell with you, among you, in the place which he shall choose within one of your gates, where it pleases him best. You shall not…
- Deuteronomy 26:2 (v11) that you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you shall bring in from your land that Yahweh your God gives…
- Deuteronomy 31:11 (v11) when all Israel has come to appear before Yahweh your God in the place which he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in…
- Deuteronomy 33:12 (v10) About Benjamin he said, “The beloved of Yahweh will dwell in safety by him. He covers him all day long. He dwells between his shoulders.”
- Deuteronomy 33:28 (v10) Israel dwells in safety, the fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine. Yes, his heavens drop down dew.
- Joshua 3:17–4:1 (v10) The priests who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry…
- Joshua 4:12 (v10) The children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses…
- Joshua 18:1 (v11) The whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled themselves together at Shiloh, and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The land…
- 1 Samuel 7:12 (v10) Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Yahweh helped us until now.”
- 1 Kings 4:25 (v10) Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
- 1 Kings 8:13 (v11) I have surely built you a house of habitation, a place for you to dwell in forever.”
- 1 Kings 8:29 (v11) that your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there;’ to…
- 1 Chronicles 23:25 (v9) For David said, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people; and he dwells in Jerusalem forever.
- Psalms 4:8 (v10) In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.
- Psalms 78:68 (v11) But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved.
- Proverbs 1:33 (v10) But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
- Jeremiah 7:12 (v11) “But go now to my place which was in Shiloh, where I caused my name to dwell at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of…
- Jeremiah 23:6 (v10) In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: Yahweh our righteousness.
- Jeremiah 32:37 (v10) “Behold, I will gather them out of all the countries where I have driven them in my anger, and in my wrath, and in great indignation; and I…
- Ezekiel 28:26 (v10) They will dwell in it securely. Yes, they will build houses, plant vineyards, and will dwell securely, when I have executed judgments on…
- Ezekiel 34:25 (v10) “ ‘I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil animals to cease out of the land. They will dwell securely in the…
- Ezekiel 38:8 (v10) After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered…
- 1 Peter 1:3-4 (v9) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope…
- Amos 5:25 (v8) “Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, house of Israel?
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (15 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv8, 10, 11 Not that they sacrificed after their fantasies, but that…
Not that they sacrificed after their fantasies, but that God would be served more purely in the land of Canaan.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv9–11 Deu 12:9 For ye are not as yet come…
Deu 12:9 For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.
Ver. 9. For ye are not as yet come to the rest.] No more are any of us indeed, till we come to that "rest which remaineth for the people of God." {Heb 4:3; Heb 4:8-10} The ark was transportative till settled in Solomon’s temple; so till we come to heaven, are we in continual unrest.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv8, 11 Here; where the inconveniency of the place, and the…
Here; where the inconveniency of the place, and the uncertainty of our abode in and removal from several places, would not permit exact order in sacrifices, and feasts, and ceremonies, which therefore God was pleased then to dispense with; but, saith he, he will not do so there.
Every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes; not that universal liberty was given to all persons to worship whom and how they listed, but that in many things their unsettled condition gave every one opportunity to do so if he thought good.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv8–11 Ye shall not do after all the things that…
Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here,.... In the wilderness, where they had no abiding, but were continually removing from place to place, and could not always observe punctually and precisely the exact order and time of their sacrifices and other things, nor offer them at any certain place, and many were doubtless neglected by them; see Amo 5:25.
every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes; that did he, brought the above things when and where he pleased; not that there was no regard had to the laws and rules given, as if there was no priest in Israel; but they were not so exactly in all circumstances conformed to as they would be obliged to when they came into the land of Canaan, and had a certain place to bring their offerings to; so some in Aben Ezra observe, that one would give the firstling, another not, because it depended on the land, or was what they were obliged to only when they came into the land of Canaan; see Exo 13:11 but he thinks the sense is, that they did not all fear God, and so did not do their duty.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv8, 11 Here - Where the inconveniency of the place, and…
Here - Where the inconveniency of the place, and the uncertainty of our abode, would not permit exact order in sacrifices and feasts and ceremonies, which therefore God was then pleased to dispense with; but, saith he, he will not do so there. Right in his own eyes - Not that universal liberty was given to all persons to worship how they listed; but in many things their unsettled condition gave opportunity to do so.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv8, 11 Deu 12:8. That we do here — Where the…
Deu 12:8. That we do here — Where the inconvenience of the place, and the uncertainty of their abode, would not permit exact order in sacrifices, and feasts, and ceremonies, which therefore God was then pleased to dispense with; but, saith he, he will not do so there. Right in his own eyes — Not that universal liberty was given to all persons to worship how they listed: but in many things their unsettled condition gave opportunity to do so.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v8 Moses points out that heretofore they had not observed…
Moses points out that heretofore they had not observed the prescribed order in their worship, because during their migratory life in the wilderness it had been impossible to do so. During their wanderings there were doubtless times when the tabernacle was not set up for days together, and when the daily sacrifice Num 28:3, together with many other ordinances, were necessarily omitted (compare Jos 5:5). This consideration must be carefully borne in mind throughout Deuteronomy. It illustrates the necessity for a repetition of very much of the Sinaitic legislation, and suggests the reason why some parts are so urgently reiterated and impressed, while others are left unnoticed. Moses now warns the people that as they were about to quit their unsettled mode of life, God’s purpose of choosing for Himself a place to set His Name there would be executed, and the whole of the sacred ritual would consequently become obligatory. The “rest and safety” of Canaan is significantly laid down Deu 12:10-11 as the indispensable condition and basis for an entire fulfillment of the Law: the perfection of righteousness coinciding thus with the cessation of wanderings, dangers, and toils.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv8, 11 Himself. Some confine this to the sacrifices, which each…
Himself. Some confine this to the sacrifices, which each person might offer, where he thought proper, till the ark was fixed at Silo. But many other parts of the ceremonial law, seem not to have been in force till the Hebrews crossed the Jordan, Amos v. 25. Circumcision was omitted, as well as most of the festivals. Several laws were, however, designed for the people during their sojournment, such as those which regard the order of judgment, the cleanness of the camp, the purification of women, and of those who had touched a dead body, &c., Exodus xviii. 25., Numbers v. 2., and Leviticus xv. 31. It was not left to their option to observe or to neglect the sabbath, (Numbers xv. 32,) the loaves of proposition, or the perpetual fire, &c., Numbers iv. 7, 13. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv8, 10 8. Ye shall not do… the things that we…
8. Ye shall not do… the things that we do — During the sojourn in the desert there had not been a rigid adherence to the requirements of the law. Even in the matter of the important rite of circumcision there had been a non-observance for years. See Jos_5:5. But hereafter they are not to do every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On v8 8–12. Second Statement of the Law of the Single…
8–12. Second Statement of the Law of the Single Sanctuary
With a different preface from the first, contrasting Israel’s duty after settlement to concentrate on the one altar, not with the practice of the Canaanites, but with that of Israel itself in the time of the wanderings: for the rest substantially the same as the first statement, and like it in the Pl. address, with one doubtful transition to Sg.: see on Deu_12:9.
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Deu_12:8. Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day] That is in the time of Moses the speaker, and in Moab; but with reference (as the following vv. indicate) to the ritual practice of Israel during the whole forty years preceding their settlement. There may, however, be also here a reflection of the religious practice of the writer’s own time (Oettli).
every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes] So with regard to the multiplication of local shrines after the settlement in Canaan, Jdg_17:6, cp. Jdg_21:25.
But if Israel and even Moses—we!—worshipped, where every man thought good, what are we to make of P’s account of the institution of the Tabernacle at Sinai, and of its use during the rest of the forty years and of P’s rigorous and exact laws (e.g. Leviticus 17) concerning the ritual? Obviously P either did not exist when D’s law of the one altar was written, or was unknown to its author. Amos agrees with D. His challenge to Israel (Deu_5:25), did ye bring unto Me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years? expects a negative answer in support of his polemic against all sacrifice. Jeremiah’s report of a word of God (Deu_7:22): I spake not unto your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices is also indicative of the non-existence of P in the 7th century; and though it continues to give expression to the essential contents of the deuteronomic covenant in deuteronomic language it is difficult to reconcile it with such a law as is now before us.
Deu_12:9. for ye are not as yet come to the rest, etc.] The present irregular form of Israel’s worship is excused by their unsettled, wandering condition. It was then inevitable, but if so what becomes of P’s central sanctuary in the wilderness and his rigorous laws for the ritual? To the rest, 1Ki_8:56 (deuteronomic); there the erection of the Temple marks the close of Israel’s struggles for possession of the land: cp. Deu_5:10 b.
the inheritance which the Lord your God is about to give you] See on Deu_4:21. Heb. thy and thee. But probably your and you should be read with Sam. and some LXX codd. (most read our God giveth you). At the same time inheritance is elsewhere used with passages in the Sg. address: if the Sg. be retained here the clause must be a later insertion.
Deu_12:10. when ye go over Jordan] The usual phrase with the Pl., see on Deu_3:18, Deu_4:21; but Deu_9:1 is Sg.
causeth you to inherit] See on Deu_1:38.
giveth you rest, etc.] See on Deu_12:9.
Deu_12:11. See on Deu_12:5 f. where the expressions are the same or similar; only cause his name to dwell there for put his name there (Deu_12:5,); all I am about to command you (cp. Deu_12:14); firstlings and freewill offerings are omitted; and for vows there is choice vows, Heb. all the choice of your vows—ambiguous, and either only the choicest of the things you have vowed (cp. Exo_14:7; Exo_15:4) in which case the form of the law is a modification of the other, or the choice things, your vows. More probable is the former. Of the contrary opinion is Bertholet.
Deu_12:12. See on Deu_12:7 : eat found there is here omitted; and your households is defined as sons, daughters, bondmen and bondmaids, and the Levite within your gates. So Deu_12:18, Deu_16:11; Deu_16:14 (+ stranger, fatherless, widow, cp. Deu_14:29), Deu_5:14 (stranger instead of Levite), Deu_14:26 f. (household and Levite), Deu_26:11 (thou, Levite and stranger). Wives are not mentioned, for they are included in those to whom the law is addressed; a significant fact. The Levite within your gates (the only instance of the phrase with the Pl. address, see on Deu_12:17) is the family or local minister of the ritual, who is deprived of the means of subsistence by the disestablishment of the rural shrines, and hath no portion nor inheritance with you, no land of his own: see on Deu_10:9 and further under Deu_18:1-8.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv8–11 (8) Ye shall not do after all the things…
(8) Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day.—Another precept strongly marked with the condition of Israel in the wilderness. It has been too much overlooked by recent commentators that the law of Moses has a prophetic side. It was given to him and to Israel at a time when they were not in a position to keep it. It was the law of the land which God would give them. In many ways its observance depended on the completion of the conquest of the land, and upon the quietness of the times in which they lived. This prophetic aspect was certainly not unrecognised by the Jews, or they would not (for example) have neglected to dwell in booths at the Feast of Tabernacles from the time of Joshua to Nehemiah. (See Neh_8:17.)[2]
[2] And compare the curious position of the Jaw in Leviticus which required them to dwell in booths. It occurs as an appendix outside the regular laws of that festival (Lev_23:37-43).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv8, 11 Vers. 8-10. In the wilderness, while leading a nomadic…
Vers. 8-10. In the wilderness, while leading a nomadic life, no certain place could be appointed to them for the observance of sacred rites; each man did in that matter as suited his own convenience. But after they were settled in Canaan it should no longer be so; a certain order and fixed locality should be determined for their worship and service; when they had passed over Jordan the Lord would give them rest from all their enemies, and then all irregularity and arbitrariness in the matter of worship must cease, and all their gifts arid offerings must be brought to the place which Jehovah their God should choose. Ye dwell in safety; rather, dwell securely, not only safe from assault, but without fear or anxiety (cf. Jud_1:8:11 18:7)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv8–9 Ye shall not do after all the things that…
Deu_12:8
Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day.
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Restraint the Christians blessing
The blessing, of which it is now proposed to speak more particularly, is that of being more under control--of having our lives and ways more exactly ordered--than as if we were not Christians. We are now come to the rest and to the inheritance which the Lord our God was so long preparing for us, and therefore we are no longer to think of doing every man what is right in his own eyes. And therefore the gate, into which we must strive to enter, is called strait, and the way which leadeth unto life, narrow. And our Saviour, inviting us to the blessings of the Gospel, describes them as a yoke and a burthen; easy indeed, and light, yet still a yoke and a burthen. And this very circumstance He mentions as a blessing; as the very reason why, coming to Him, the weary and heavy laden might find rest (Mat_11:28). So that it appears that both the law and the Gospel, both Moses and Jesus Christ, consider it a great blessing, a great increase of comfort and happiness, to be kept under strict rules. The Gospel was more strict than the law; and on that very account its subjects were happier. Canaan was a place where men could not do what pleased themselves so much as they could in the wilderness: and it was the more entirely and truly a place of rest. But now this way of thinking is by no means the way of the world. People in general like nothing so much as having their own choice in all things. They account it a burthen, and not a privilege, to be under the government of others. And there is not, one may venture to say, one man in a thousand who would not rather be rich than poor, for this very reason--that a rich man is much more his own master, has much more of his own way in choosing how to spend his time, what company to keep, what employments to follow, than a poor man generally can have. Again, everyone has observed, I might say has experienced, the hurry which children are usually in to get out of the state of childhood and to be left to judge and act for themselves. But the worst, and, unfortunately, the most common instance of this ungovernable temper in mankind is, our unwillingness to let God choose for us, and our impatience under the burthens He lays upon us. How very commonly does it happen that the very condition people chose beforehand, the very place they wished to live in, and the persons they wished to live among, being obtained, becomes the ground of continual complaint and vexation. If they could but change at will, they say, they should like their situation well enough, but now they are tied down to it they cannot, that is, they will not, help being fretful and impatient. Yet this very circumstance of being tied down to rules and not having the power to change at will, is, as we have seen, reckoned a great blessing, both in the Old and New Testament, both by Moses and Jesus Christ. And the contrary (the having to choose for ourselves, and to do what is right in our own eyes), is spoken of as a great disadvantage. So different is the judgment of God from the judgment of men. To have this thought steadily fixed within us, will prove, indeed, the greatest of all blessings, both as to our rest in this world, and as to our inheritance in that which is to come. In whatever counsel and pursuit we are sure we are guided by God, that, we are equally sure, must turn out well in the end; and soberly speaking, what can we wish for more? Once make up your mind to this most certain truth, that what is right in Gods eyes is far better for you than what is right in your own eyes, and you will have but one care in the whole world, i.e. how to please God in making the best use of the present time, a care in which, by His gracious assistance, you are sure not to fail. But it was further said, that this temper of not choosing for ourselves leads directly to our everlasting inheritance in the other world, as well as making sure of our rest and refreshment in this. For it helps us greatly in the performance of our duty, because, in truth, it leaves us nothing else to do. It prepares and trains us for everlasting happiness in heaven. For the very secret of our enjoyment there will be that Gods will shall be ours. We shall behold His works and ways, especially the glory which He has given to His beloved Son our Saviour, and shall rejoice in them as in so much good done to ourselves, more and more thankfully forever. What a beautiful and comfortable thought is this, of the high and noble uses to which, if we will, we may turn all our worst disappointments--the bitterest thoughts of shame and remorse which ever come upon us. We may consider them as part of our heavenly Fathers way of breaking us in, as it were, and training us to the desire and enjoyment of His own blessed presence in heaven. And if even the bitter thought of our past sins may be accompanied with so much of what is comfortable and hopeful, surely we may well leave it to Almighty God to do what He will with us in every other respect. (Plain Sermons by Contributors to Tracts for the Times. )
Life a transitional state of being
Ye are not as yet come to your rest. The present is a temporary and provisional state of things. Such is the reason (Deu_12:9) assigned by the great lawgiver of the Jews for the nonobservance of many, and the imperfect observance of nearly all the statutes and ordinances which he was delivering to them. We are all, he says, to blame. Your leader is no more exempt from human infirmities than yourselves. He is as fond of having his own way, of doing what is right in his own eyes, as any of you. We have all done amiss, and we must all try to do better; and so prepare ourselves for that entirely altered state of circumstances which awaits us as soon as we have crossed the narrow dividing stream; you of Jordan, I of death. In applying these words to the objects of Christian instruction, observe--
I. The uniformity of human character. What describes the natural man in one age or country will suit him equally well at all times and in all countries. What were the Israelites doing in the wilderness? Every man whatsoever was right in his own eyes. This is human nature. We like to have our own way. Restraint is irksome to us. We seek to be independent in our circumstances, in order that we may be so in our actions, and have no ones wishes or feelings to consult but our own. But if human wilfulness shows itself in one direction more than another, it is in our relations to God. Here we meet with no such checks as hem us in on every other side. Here the freedom of our will is not interfered with by the claims of family or the obligations of society. The world looks on, but never thinks of interfering. A mans religion, it holds, is something entirely between God and his conscience. In the concerns of the soul it is commonly said that every man ought to do whatever is right in his own eyes, without any regard to the opinions or feelings of others. What is most agreeable to our feelings, we easily persuade ourselves, is most profitable to our souls; and where we are most profited, where we get most good, as it is called, there we feel sure it is Gods will that we should go. So we wrap it up (Mic_7:3). We settle the matter nominally between God and our consciences, but really between ourselves and our own wayward and corrupt wills.
II. The impropriety of this principle of doing every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. No day passes without some matters arising which involve the question of not what is right in our own eyes, but what is right in itself, and what is right in the sight of God and man. We are reasonable and accountable creatures. There is a sense of right and wrong implanted in us by nature. We cannot act contrary to it without violating our conscience, and causing a sensible disturbance to our peace of mind. Besides moral, there is also such a thing as positive right, arising out of the declared will of God; and this is just as binding upon our consciences as the other. When it pleased God to promulgate the Fourth Commandment, by that very act He made it a right thing to keep holy the seventh day, and a wrong thing to do our ordinary work thereon, in the eyes of every man who believes in the existence and attributes of the Creator of the world. Unhappily, moral disorder is not attended with the same inconveniences as civil. Men may be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, and many other things equally offensive to piety and virtue, without any particular shock to the peaceful and prosperous course of this world. Still, these things ought not so to be. Wrong can never be right. There is one Lawgiver, and one holy and righteous and perfect law. To do as we like is to violate the fundamental law of our being. For none of us liveth to himself, etc. To do that which is right in our own eyes is too often to do that which is abominable in the sight of God.
III. The necessary imperfection of our present state of being. Perfect order and perfect happiness are not to be found on earth, but are reserved for that eternal existence to which this world is but a passage.
1. This thought will reconcile us, in a great degree, to the troubles of life.
2. It will encourage us under our moral failings and imperfections. It may be a poor consolation, but a consolation it certainly is, when we have done amiss, to know that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; and that so long as man is man he will do whatsoever is right in his own eyes. Hereafter it will be otherwise. In another world we shall not do after all the things that we do here this day.
3. It will make us tolerant and indulgent to the failings of others. We must take the world as we find it. We must deal with things as they are, not as they ought to be. To bear and to forbear is no small part of our trial. And we cannot be required to show greater forbearance towards others than God is continually exercising towards us.
IV. There is no sentiment so just as not to be liable to perversion and abuse. The necessary imperfection of our present state might be urged as an excuse for those evils and disorders which need not exist, and therefore are inexcusable. But this must not be allowed. Sin must always be protested against. Our nature is corrupt; but that is a reason for striving against it, not for giving way to it. We live in a wicked world; but that should put us on our guard against an unreserved association with the world, or an undue compliance with its ways. Is this all that is required of us--to contend against the evil of our own hearts, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world? Not so. A Christian has a higher vocation: to make the world better; to season it with the salt of a pure and uncorrupt conversation; to set an example of that self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit which leads to conduct the very opposite of that described in the text. The Christian must be continually reminding both himself and others that what we are all doing here this day may be excused by considerations arising out of the frailty of human nature, but can never be justified. Let us take every opportunity of mortifying those deeds of the body, those sinful desires and depraved inclinations which, if they do not actually deprive us of the rest and the inheritance which the Lord our God giveth us, cannot but make us less fit for it. Let us learn the pleasure of giving up our wills, instead of indulging them; of looking not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others; of doing, not every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes, but every man whatsoever is right for him to do--what religion teaches, what conscience justifies, and what God approves.
V. Let us learn from this subject to understand more perfectly, and to appreciate more justly, the Gospel method of salvation. Moses, we are told, was faithful in all his house; as the mediator of that former covenant, he performed his part on the whole faithfully and well; but that was all. He was no redeemer; he could not save his people from their sins. He was a sinner like themselves: the things which, by reason of their frailty, they did there that day, he also did. Christ alone could say, Ye shall not do after all the things which ye do here this day; ye, not we,--excluding Himself from the number of those who do every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. Of Himself He says, I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which sent Me. I do always those things that please Him. On this principle of seeking Gods glory, not His own--He acted through life, and also became obedient unto death. Without this act we should never have come to that rest, never have attained to that inheritance at all. We should have continued all our lives, as many do to this day, doing every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes; because we should have had no motive or inducement to do otherwise. If we have learnt better things, it is only because we have learnt Christ; learnt Him as the way, the truth, and the life; heard Him, and been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. It remains that we should turn our lessons into practice, by putting off the old man, etc. So shall we leave off by degrees to do after all the things which we do here this day; and under the renewing and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit we shall become daily more and more meet for the inheritance of the saints in light, and ripe for that rest which remaineth for the people of God. (Frederick Field, LL. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv8, 10 You will not do all the things that we…
You will not do all the things that we are doing here today
"You will not do as we are doing here today." This means that they would worship in the promised land differently than the way they were worshiping at that moment.
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now everyone is doing whatever is right in his own eyes
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. AT: "everyone is doing what he considers to be right" or "now everyone is doing what he judges to be right" (See: Metaphor)
to the rest
The abstract noun "the rest" can be stated as a verb. AT: "to the land where you will rest" (See: Abstract Nouns)
to the inheritance that Yahweh your God is giving you
The land that God is giving to the people of Israel is spoken of as if it were a possession that a father leaves as an inheritance for his children. AT: "to the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you as a permanent possession" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
rest
inherit
Yahweh
God
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v8 12:8 doing as you please: Until the Exodus, the…
12:8 doing as you please: Until the Exodus, the Israelites probably worshiped at multiple shrines in Egypt. With the construction of the Tabernacle, worship was centralized and remained so with the later building of the Temple. In the future, the community would be required to assemble on stated occasions to worship the Lord collectively at the central sanctuary, although local worship by individuals, families, and even villages would continue (see Exod 20:24-26; 1 Sam 9:11-14).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.