Today Yahweh your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared today that Yahweh is your God, and that you would walk in his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, and his ordinances, and listen to his voice. Yahweh has declared today that you are a people for his own possession, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments. He will make you high above all nations that he has made, in praise, in name, and in honor; and that you may be a holy people to Yahweh your God, as he has spoken.
Parallel Translations
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Today Yahweh your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart and with all your soul.
You have declared today that Yahweh is your God, and that you would walk in his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, and his ordinances, and listen to his voice.
Yahweh has declared today that you are a people for his own possession, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments.
He will make you high above all nations that he has made, in praise, in name, and in honor; and that you may be a holy people to Yahweh your God, as he has spoken.
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This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.
Show all 3 translations
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This day the LORD thy God commandeth thee to do these statutes and ordinances; thou shalt therefore observe and do them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.
Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and that thou wouldest walk in His ways, and keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His ordinances, and hearken unto His voice.
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be His own treasure, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments;
and to make thee high above all nations that He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in glory; and that thou mayest be a holy people unto the LORD thy God, as He hath spoken.
Cross-references (61)
- Deuteronomy 28:1 (v19) It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you…
- 1 Peter 2:9 (v19) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of…
- Deuteronomy 7:6 (vv18–19) For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God. Yahweh your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who…
- Deuteronomy 4:7-8 (v19) For what great nation is there that has a god so near to them as Yahweh our God is whenever we call on him? What great nation is there that…
- Exodus 19:6 (v19) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
Show all 59 cross-references
- Isaiah 62:12 (v19) They will call them “The Holy People, Yahweh’s Redeemed”. You will be called “Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken”.
- Deuteronomy 28:9 (vv18–19) Yahweh will establish you for a holy people to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and…
- Deuteronomy 14:2 (v18) For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who are on…
- 1 Peter 2:5 (v19) You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God…
- Revelation 1:5-6 (v19) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and…
- Ezekiel 16:12-14 (v19) I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were decked with gold and silver. Your…
- Titus 2:14 (v18) who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for…
- Exodus 6:7 (v18) I will take you to myself for a people. I will be your God; and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God, who brings you out from under the…
- Jeremiah 33:9 (v19) This city will be to me for a name of joy, for praise, and for glory, before all the nations of the earth, which will hear all the good…
- Zephaniah 3:19 (v19) Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you, and I will save those who are lame, and gather those who were driven away.…
- Exodus 24:7 (v17) He took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “We will do all that Yahweh has said, and be…
- Deuteronomy 28:13 (v19) Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail. You will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of…
- Psalms 148:14 (v19) He has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near to him. Praise Yah!
- Isaiah 12:2 (v17) Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my…
- Isaiah 66:20-21 (v19) They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on…
- Jeremiah 13:11 (v19) For as the belt clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to me,’ says…
- John 14:15 (v16) If you love me, keep my commandments.
- Deuteronomy 12:1 (v16) 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…
- Ezekiel 36:25-27 (v18) I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness, and from all your idols. I will…
- Romans 16:26 (v18)
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (v17) Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were…
- Exodus 19:5-6 (v18) Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all…
- Exodus 20:19 (v17) They said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don’t let God speak with us, lest we die.”
- Deuteronomy 5:2-3 (v17) Yahweh our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. Yahweh didn’t make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us…
- Deuteronomy 13:18 (v17) when you listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, to keep all his commandments which I command you today, to do that which is right in Yahweh…
- Deuteronomy 15:5 (v17) if only you diligently listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all this commandment which I command you today.
- Deuteronomy 30:16 (v17) For I command you today to love Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that…
- Joshua 22:5 (v17) Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, to love Yahweh your God, to walk…
- Psalms 119:6 (v18) Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
- Isaiah 44:5 (v17) One will say, ‘I am Yahweh’s;’ and another will be called by the name of Jacob; and another will write with his hand ‘to Yahweh,’ and honor…
- Jeremiah 31:32-34 (v18) not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of…
- Romans 6:13 (v17) Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as alive from the dead, and your…
- 2 Corinthians 8:5 (v17) This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
- 1 John 5:2-3 (v16) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is loving God, that we keep his…
- Exodus 15:2 (v17) Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
- Deuteronomy 4:1-6 (v16) Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances which I teach you, to do them; that you may live, and go in and possess the land…
- Deuteronomy 4:29 (v16) But from there you shall seek Yahweh your God, and you shall find him when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
- Deuteronomy 6:1 (v16) Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh your God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in…
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (v16) You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
- Deuteronomy 6:17 (v16) You shall diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (v16) You shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test…
- Deuteronomy 11:1 (v16) Therefore you shall love Yahweh your God, and keep his instructions, his statutes, his ordinances, and his commandments, always.
- Deuteronomy 11:8 (v16) Therefore you shall keep the entire commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land that you…
- Deuteronomy 12:32 (v16) Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.
- Deuteronomy 13:3-4 (v16) you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams; for Yahweh your God is testing you, to know whether you…
- Deuteronomy 13:4-5 (v17) You shall walk after Yahweh your God, fear him, keep his commandments, and obey his voice. You shall serve him, and cling to him. That…
- 2 Chronicles 34:31 (v17) The king stood in his place, and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies,…
- Psalms 147:19-20 (v17) He shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. He has not done this for just any nation. They don’t know his…
- Zechariah 13:9 (v17) I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will…
- Matthew 28:20 (v16) teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
- John 14:21-24 (v16) One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love…
- Acts 27:23 (v17) For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve,
- Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (v17) Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve…
- 1 Kings 2:3-4 (v17) and keep the instruction of Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his…
59 distinct cross-references across this passage (61 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv16, 18 With a good and simple conscience.
With a good and simple conscience.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv17, 19 Deu 26:17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day…
Deu 26:17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
Ver. 17. Thou hast avouched.] This we do, when with highest estimation, most vigorous affections, and utmost endeavours we bestow ourselves upon God, giving up our names and hearts to the profession of truth. And this our choosing God for our God, {Psa 73:25} is a sign he first chose us. {1Jn 4:19} Mary answers not "Rabboni," till Christ hath said "Mary" to her. It is he that brings us into the bonds of the covenant. {Eze 20:37} He first cries out, Who is on my side? who? and then gives us to answer, {as Isa 44:5} "One says, I am the Lord’s; another calls himself by the name of Jacob; another subscribes," &c.
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 vv17–18 Avouched, or declared, or professed, or owned. This day,…
Avouched, or declared, or professed, or owned. This day, i.e. at this time, in this wilderness, where thou hast accepted and ratified God’s covenant.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v16 Two things Moses here urges to enforce all these…
Two things Moses here urges to enforce all these precepts: - 1. That they were the commands of God, Deu 26:16. They were not the dictates of his own wisdom, nor were they enacted by any authority of his own, but infinite wisdom framed them, and the power of the King of kings made them binding to them: "The Lord thy God commands thee, therefore thou art bound in duty and gratitude to obey him, and it is at thy peril if thou disobey. They are his laws, therefore thou shalt do them, for to that end were they given thee: do them and not dispute them, do them and not draw back from them; do them not carelessly and hypocritically, but with thy heart and soul, thy whole heart and thy whole soul." 2. That their covenant with God obliged them to keep these commands. He insists not only upon God's sovereignty over them, but his propriety in them, and the relation wherein they stood to him. The covenant is mutual, and it binds to obedience both ways. (1.) That we may perform our part of the covenant, and answer the intentions of that (Deu 26:17): "Thou hast avouched and solemnly owned and confessed the Lord Jehovah to be thy God, thy Prince and Ruler. As he is so by an incontestable right, so he is by thy own consent." They did this implicitly by their attendance on his word, had done it expressly (Ex. 24), and were now to do it again before they parted, Deu 29:1. Now this obliges us, in fidelity to our word, as well as in duty to our Sovereign, to keep his statutes and his commandments. We really forswear ourselves, and perfidiously violate the most sacred engagements, if, when we have taken the Lord to be our God, we do not make conscience of obeying his commands. (2.) That God's part of the covenant also may be made good, and the intentions of that answered (Deu 29:18, Deu 29:19): The Lord has avouched, not only taken, but publicly owned thee to be his segullah, his peculiar people, as he has promised thee, that is, according to the true intent and meaning of the promise. Now their obedience was not only the condition of this favour, and of the continuance of it (if they were not obedient, God would disown them, and cast them off), but it was also the principal design of this favour. "He has avouched thee on purpose that thou shouldest keep his commandments, that thou mightest have both the best directions and the best encouragements in religion." Thus we are elected to obedience (Pe1 1:2), chosen that we should be holy (Eph 1:4), purified, a peculiar people, that we might not only do good works, but be zealous in them, Tit 2:14. Two things God is here said to design in avouching them to be his peculiar people (Deu 26:19), to make them high, and, in order to that, to make them holy; for holiness is true honour, and the only way to everlasting honour. [1.] To make them high above all nations. The greatest honour we are capable of in this world is to be taken into covenant with God, and to live in his service. They should be, First, High in praise; for God would accept them, which is true praise, Rom 2:29. Their friends would admire them, Zep 3:19, Zep 3:20. Secondly, High in name, which, some think, denotes the continuance and perpetuity of that praise, a name that shall not be cut off. Thirdly, High in honour, that is, in all the advantages of wealth and power, which would make them great above their neighbours. See Jer 13:11. [2.] That they might be a holy people, separated for God, devoted to him, and employed continually in his service. This God aimed at in taking them to be his people; so that, if they did not keep his commandments, they received all this grace in vain.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv16–19 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee…
This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments,.... These are the words of Moses, as Aben Ezra rightly observes, and refer not only to the laws last mentioned, but to all others which he had repeated, or the Lord by him had ordered to be observed, recorded in this book: and though it is very probable Moses had been several days repeating former laws, and acquainting them with new ones; yet this being the last day, in which the whole account was finished, they are said to be commanded that day, and though commanded that day were to be observed and done every day; for, as Jarchi says, every day was to be considered and reckoned as new, as if on that day they were commanded them:
thou shall therefore keep and do them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul; cordially, readily, willingly, sincerely, constantly, and to the utmost of their abilities.
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 vv17–18 Avouched - Or, declared, or owned.
Avouched - Or, declared, or owned.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv17–19 Verse 17. Thou hast avouched the Lord] The people…
Verse 17. Thou hast avouched the Lord] The people avouch - publicly declare, that they have taken Jehovah to be their God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v17 Deu 26:17-18. Avouched — Or declared, or owned. Avouched…
Deu 26:17-18. Avouched — Or declared, or owned. Avouched thee — Hath owned thee for such before all the world, by eminent and glorious manifestations of his power and favour, by a solemn entering into covenant with thee, and giving peculiar laws, promises, and privileges to thee above all mankind.
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 v16 A brief and earnest exhortation by way of conclusion…
A brief and earnest exhortation by way of conclusion to the second and longest discourse of the book.
Deu 26:17
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Thou hast avouched - literally, “made to say:” so also in the next verse. The sense is: “Thou hast given occasion to the Lord to say that He is thy God,” i. e. by promising that He shall be so. Compare Exo 24:7; Jos 24:14-25,
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 vv16, 19 This day. In this last solemn harangue of Moses,…
This day. In this last solemn harangue of Moses, the covenant between God and his people was ratified. (Menochius)
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 vv16–19 16. The Lord… hath commanded thee, etc. — Moses…
16. The Lord… hath commanded thee, etc. — Moses concludes this discourse with an earnest admonition to the people. Deu_26:16-19.
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 vv16–19 16. This day] Obviously the same as that emphasised,…
16. This day] Obviously the same as that emphasised, both in the Introd. Addresses Deu_4:8, Deu_5:1, Deu_8:1; Deu_8:11; Deu_8:18, Deu_10:13, Deu_11:2; Deu_11:8; Deu_11:26; Deu_11:32, and in the Code Deu_15:5; Deu_15:15, Deu_19:9 (cp. Deu_12:8), as the day when the laws, revealed to Moses in Ḥoreb were by him published to the people in Moab in the valley over against Beth-peor (Deu_3:29).
the Lord thy God is commanding thee] This is His part in the contract now to be formulated.
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statutes and judgements] See on Deu_12:1.
keep and do them] See Deu_4:6, Deu_7:12, etc.; cp. observe to do, Deu_5:1, Deu_8:1, Deu_12:1; Deu_12:32, etc. This is Israel’s part in the contract.
with all, etc.] Deu_6:5 f., Deu_10:12, cp. Deu_11:18.
16–19. Concluding Exhortation
The proclamation of these laws and the consequent duty of Israel to keep them (Deu_26:16) constitute a contract between Jehovah and Israel, by which He declares Himself their God, who shall exalt them above other nations, and they declare themselves His people, proper and holy to Him and obliged to obey His laws (Deu_26:17-19).—In D’s style and the Sg. address (LXX curiously diverges into the Pl. in the last clause of Deu_26:16). But the argument has been deranged (so all recent commentators; see esp. Cullen, p. 93) either by later additions inappropriately distributed through a misunderstanding of the legal form used, or through the fusion of different conclusions to the Code. See notes below. It is unnecessary to suppose that the passage originally followed Deu_27:9 f. or 28.
Though the term covenant is not used, the law-giving is regarded as such, as it is implicitly in Deu_27:9 f. and explicitly in Deu_29:1 (Deut 28:69). This idea is also implicit in the Code, and is stated explicitly in Deu_8:18, Deu_17:3. So far then, there is no reason for doubting the original character of the passage.
This is so far an answer to Steuern. who assigns the passage to a later deuteronomist. Wellh. indeed takes this day as that of the Covenant at Ḥoreb, and infers that chs. 12–26 were originally understood as delivered there. On the other hand Berth, finds it probable that we have here the formula under which Josiah bound Israel to observe the Law (2Ki_23:3, cp. Jer_11:2 ff.). For neither of these hypotheses is there any real evidence; and this day is ostensibly the same as that frequently mentioned in the Code and the Introd. Addresses (see on Deu_26:16).
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 v16 Deu_26:16-19. CLOSE OF THE EXHORTATION.
Deu_26:16-19. CLOSE OF THE EXHORTATION.
(16) This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.—These words are not to be taken as part of the service described in the previous verses, but as the words of Moses in bringing his exhortation to a close. Rashi says, “Every day these commandments shall be new before thine eyes, as though on that very day thou hadst received them.”
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Thou shalt therefore keep and do them.—It is a beautiful thought that the form of this command (as of many others) makes it prophetic of its own fulfilment. “It is the voice from heaven blessing thee,” says Rashi. (See also Deu_30:6; Deu_30:8.)
(17, 18) Thou hast avouched . . . and the Lord hath avouched.—The Hebrew word is simply the ordinary word for “to say.” “Thou hast said,” and “He hath said.” There is no distinctive word for “to promise” in Hebrew. “To say” is sufficient. “Hath He said, and shall He not do it?” “Let your yea be yea, and your nay nay,” like His. But Rashi says there is no exact parallel to this use of the verb in the Old Testament, except, perhaps, in Psa_94:4, where it means, “they boast themselves.” Let Israel boast in God, and God will boast Himself of them, as His peculiar people.
(19) And to make thee high.—Literally, most high; Heb., ‘Elyôn, a well-known name of God. Here, and in Deu_28:1, it is (prophetically and in the Divine purpose) applied to Israel. “Thou shalt put my Name upon the children of Israel” was the law of blessing for the priests (Num_6:27).
In praise, and in name, and in honour.—Perhaps, rather, to be a praise, and to be a name, and to be an honour, and to become a people of holiness to Jehovah. There is an allusion to this in Jer_33:9, “And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise, and an honour before all the nations of the earth;” and in Isa_62:6-7, “Ye that make mention of the name of the Lord, keep not silence, and give Him no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”
But if, as some would have us believe, the Book of Deuteronomy draws these things from the prophets, rather than the prophets from Moses, how is it that there is not the faintest allusion in Deuteronomy to Jerusalem, which in the days of the prophets had become the centre of all these hopes?
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 vv16–19 Vers. 16-19. Moses winds up his address by a…
Vers. 16-19. Moses winds up his address by a solemn admonition to the people to keep and observe the laws and commandments which the Lord by him had laid upon them, reminding them that they had entered into covenant with God, and had thereby pledged themselves to obedience to all that he had enjoined, as he on his part had pledged himself to be their Benefactor, who would fulfill to them all his gracious promises, and would exalt them above all the nations of the earth.
This day. This refers generally to the time when this discourse was delivered.
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Vers. 16-19. The golden chain.
The end of the career of Moses was drawing nigh. Nothing could be more natural than that he should gather up all his powers to remind the people of their solemn vows, and to repeat in their hearing the sum and substance of that code which was to regulate their personal life, their religious service, and their judicial procedure. Having done this, he closes with a brief but very earnest appeal to the people"s heart and conscience. In it there is much that has, primarily, a historical and local hearing, but the principles included therein have a far-reaching, a worldwide, a permanent significance. The phrases used here are reproduced by the Apostle Peter, (1Pe 2) and are applied by him to Christians. What Israel then was, locally and theoretically, believers are now spiritually. The words here uttered by Moses form a golden chain, which we will examine link by link.
We may thus come to see that, notwithstanding the lapse of ages and the advance of the world, this golden chain is as real and as complete as ever. With God the first link begins; with God is the last. The chain is on this wise: God sends a Law; this Law is accepted by the people; so accepting the Law they are received in covenant; people loyal to God are elevated among men; they are thus for a praise and honor and glory; and all this is according to the word of the Lord, as he hath spoken." Thus that which goeth forth from his lips as a declaration cometh back to him as a fulfillment.
First link: HERE ARE COMMANDMENTS, STATUTES, AND JUDGMENTS APPOINTED BY GOD. From beginning to end this is the distinct declaration of Moses and the postulate of the Hebrew faith. That the Law was received from Sinai is, historically, as indisputable as that the battle of Waterloo was fought. That this Law was of God was the proclamation from the first; while our homiletic studies in this book have, we trust, deepened our conviction that from none but God could aught so holy with such a claim have proceeded, and that this commandment, which is holy and just and good, does disclose the exceeding sinfulness of sin in a way which could only have been done through one taught of him who is the Lord of consciences and souls. This effort to educate the people in righteousness was the most startling stride in morals which the world had ever known. It was then, and remains still, the only attempt ever made to start into being a new nation with God alone for its acknowledged King, righteousness alone for the corner-stone of its polity, and a free and holy brotherhood alone for its citizenship. In reference to worship, there was the revealed law of sacrifice as the ground of acceptance. In regard to life, the rule was, "Love to God and love to man." It is precisely so now. Just as beneath the Law there lay unrepealed the Divine Abrahamic promise, so along with the gospel there is the rule unrepealed, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." There was a gospel with the Law; there is a law with the gospel.
Second link: THE PEOPLE HAD VOWED UNTO GOD THAT THEY WOULD OBEY HIS VOICE. (Ver. 17.) It is not noted, perhaps, with sufficient frequency and force how often, even amid the terror, thunder, and smoke of Sinai, the Lord threw the decision of this question upon the people"s free consent. Not even their response in the moment of glad freedom and terrible awe was sufficient. God would not take the people by surprise nor fasten them unawares to an engagement they did not understand. They gave their assent, first to an oral inquiry, then to the Law when written in a book and read in their hearing, then to the covenant sealed with blood. So now. While, in one sense, God is Sovereign over us by a right none may dispute, yet there is another sovereignty to which he asks our willing, loving consent. (Rom_12:1) He stoops to ask of us therefore of our hearts.
Third link: THE COVENANT THUS ENTERED INTO BY LOVING CONSENT TO DIVINE SWAY IS DIVINELY RECIPROCATED. (Ver. 18.) "And the Lord hath avouched thee," etc. We must be careful, however, how we set this, or we shall obscure the gospel in the act of endeavoring to set forth its most priceless relations. We must not put the matter thus: "God loves us because we love him; that would be an entire reversal of the revealed order of things. But rather thus: "God loves first." When we respond to his love and are saved by it, he rejoices over us. The love of compassion becomes a love of complacency, and the Lord avouches us to he his "peculiar people." The Apostle Peter applies precisely this phrase to all believers. (1Pe 2) But, to an ordinary reader, the English phrase would not yield an approximation to its true meaning, which may be shown thus: the word pecus, cattle; peculium, property in cattle, private property, that which has been bought for one"s self; and thus the phrase, "peculiar people," means a people whom God has secured as his own by purchase. Hence the New Testament phrases, "Ye are bought with a price," etc, God"s satisfaction in man is complete only when man finds his home in God.
Fourth link: WHEN A MAN IS FOUND OF GOD, HE IS DESTINED FOR HONOR AMONG MAN. (Vers. 18, 19.) "Then," says David, "shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments." And whenever the citizens of a state are loyal and obedient to God, the state which is leavened by them will certainly rise to honor and renown.
Fifth link: SUCH A LIFE WILL BE FOR A PRAISE AND A NAME AND AN HONOR. For whose? Certainly God"s (cf. Isa_43:1, Isa_43:21) A holy man is the noblest work of God on earth. The life he lives among men is, in its way, a revelation of God, and reflects honor on him.
Sixth link: This glory, being thus brought to God through the power of holy lives, will be best confirmation of the origin, meaning, and power of the written Word. "As he hath spoken" (ver. 19). The Word regulates the life; the life confirms the Word.
Note Christian people have the vindication of the faith in their own hands. Argument may do much, but holiness will do very far more.
Vers. 16-19. Avouching extraordinary.
A wonderful sight! Israel and God exchanging pledges, plighting troth, "avouching" fidelity each to the other. The people, by the heed they had given to Moses" exposition of the Law, perhaps by signs made as he proceeded, had avouched their willingness to abide in the covenant. God, in turn, had renewed his promises and pledges towards them. The covenant thus renewed was the same in essentials as that made with believers.
I COVENANT WITH GOD INVOLVES ENGAGEMENT TO OBEDIENCE. (Ver. 17.) It did so under the Law. It does so under the gospel. The gospel exhibits grace, and involves at the outset the reception of that grace. Nevertheless, obedience is required of us. It is the end of our redemption. We die with Christ that we may rise with him to newness of. (Rom_6:4) "New obedience" is the proof of true discipleship. Every real believer will seek to render it. It is a condition of ultimate salvation. (Rom_2:6-12)
II COVENANT WITH GOD INVOLVES A RELATION OF PECULIAR NEARNESS. (Ver. 18,) This is borne out by all Scripture. God chooses us, in Christ, to a relation of nearness so remarkable that it has no counterpart, save in the Son"s relation to the Father. (Joh_17:21) The saints are his peculiar treasure. (1Pe_2:9, 1Pe_2:10) He is their "Shield," and their "exceeding Great Reward". (Gen_15:1) They are nearer to him than the angels
Near, near, so near, I cannot nearer be; For in the person of his Son I am as near as he.
III COVENANT WITH GOD SECURES HIGH HONOR AND BLESSEDNESS. (Ver. 19.) Great distinction was in store for Israel, should it prove obedient. God says he will make it high above all nations, "in praise, and in name, and in honor.
Its honor would consist:
1. In the proud distinction of being God"s people. (Deu_4:7)
2. In its high moral repute. (Deu_4:6)
3. In the material pre-eminence to which obedience would be certain to raise it. (Deu_7:12-16) Obedience, honor, blessedness, are three ideas ultimately inseparable. The "glory, honor, immortality" of heaven are for those who persevere in well-doing, (Rom_2:7) for "an holy people." The honors in store for obedient Israel, great as they were, are not to be compared with the "exceeding and eternal weight of glory" now revealed as the inheritance of believers. J.O. (2Co_4:17)
Vers. 16-19. The spiritual creation.
In the creation of the material world, "God spake, and it was done." But in dealing with rebellious men, obedience does not spontaneously follow on command. God has called into existence a substance that cannot arbitrarily be controlled a human will. Therefore, to gain loyal response from human nature, God makes known himself as infinitely worthy of man"s regard, indicates his authority, and sets forth the high advantages of his friendship. The largest obedience is man"s real interest. It is the only path to promotion.
I WE HAVE HERE GOD"S REVELATION OF HIS KINGLY AUTHORITY. It is his part to command man"s to obey. We cannot reverse or disturb this order without introducing anarchy and sorrow.
1. This revelation of God is always new. "This day" thy God hath commanded thee afresh. New discoveries of the extent, the wisdom, the graciousness, of God"s sovereignty may be made to us every day. Every morning the voice of heavenly authority speaks to us afresh.
2. The spirit of wise authority is very imperative. "Thou shalt keep and do." It would not be safe for God to abandon any part of his prerogative. It would not be safe to allow men to diminish his sovereignty. We are creatures: he is Creator; hence it is supremely fitting that he alone should rule.
3. His commands are irrevocable. They are well designated statutes," i.e. things well established. In the material world men are discovering how fixed and uniform are all God"s laws. No deviation is allowed. Nor is it tolerated in the spiritual realm, and every new-born man says, "I will keep thy statutes with my whole heart.
4. Obedience embraces the whole man. Outward and ostensible service does not satisfy God, because they will bring no blessing to his creature man. These commands are for man as a spiritual being; and mere external service is hypocrisy, No fragrance is in our obedience unless heart and soul go out in our deeds. Obedience, to have any worth with God, must be the efflorescence of our love.
II WE HAVE HERE MAN"S WILLING ACCEPTANCE OF THE COVENANT. The Jews, as one man, chose God to be their King, and swore to be loyal subjects. "Thou hast avouched the Lord to be thy God.
1. It must be an act of personal choice. Whether we perceive it or not, ourcourse in life is our own choice. We may never consciously have faced the question, nor put into words our decision; yet our life plainly shows that some decision has been made. Happy the man who, after due reflection, can calmly say, "The Lord is my God!
2. The language indicates progressive obedience. The loyal servant walks in God"s ways." He is not content with standing still. In proportion as he obeys, he sees more clearly the wisdom of the command he finds more pleasure in loyal service. At first he obeyed because it was a plain duty; now he responds because it is a delight. "He loves the Law.
3. And hearty obedience brings clearer knowledge of our Master"s will. Having learnt the wisdom and the pleasure of obedience, he is more eager to hearken to the Divine voice. His ears have been opened. He can hear the soft whispers of a voice which is unheard by others. He loves to hearken. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him.
III WE HAVE HERE GOD"S GENEROUS PLEDGE OF LARGER GOOD.
1. Here is adoption. He solemnly avers them to be "his peculiar people." He gives them a special place in his regards. Before the intelligent universe he espouses them as his own. "He is not ashamed to call them brethren." All his power is pledged for their protection. All his possessions become theirs.
2. He gives them an obedient disposition. His blessing can reach the interior will. If we have made a general surrender of ourselves to him, he imparts gracious strength to every energy of our souls. In response to our desire he makes us willing. "I will pour out my Spirit upon them, and cause them to walk in my statutes, and they shall keep my judgments, and do them." When men have embraced his external and written covenant, then "he makes a new covenant, and writes it upon their hearts." First there is what is natural, afterward that which is spiritual.
3. Here are eminence and honor secured. "To make thee high above all nations." Real glory is God"s gift to his chosen. False honor and glitter Satan scatters abundantly among his votaries; but these are superficial and ephemeral. Satan cannot give what he does not possess. All honor belongs to God; and the dignities and eminence and glory which are God"s, he has chosen to share with his saints. "Where I am, there ye shall be also.
4. Man"s crown of beauty is promised: "that thou mayest be holy." Purity is the perfection of humanity. For this our spirits thirst. No external honor or greatness will satisfy us if we are not internally holy. And the purpose of God in our redemption is "that we may be conformed unto the image of his Son." "Then shall I be satisfied, when I awake in thy likeness. D.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v16 Keeping the Covenant
Keeping the Covenant
v. 16. This day the Lord, thy God, hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments; thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart and with all thy soul, the hearing and accepting of the Law on the part of Israel being equivalent to the declaration of loyalty to Jehovah in word and deed.
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v. 17. Thou hast avouched, said of causing the other party of a contract to say, to make a declaration regarding some intention, the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes and His commandments and His judgments, both the precepts of the covenant and the obligations toward God and men as they flowed from the Moral Law, and to hearken, unto His voice;
v. 18. and the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people, the people of His possession, Exo 19:5-6, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments;
v. 19. and to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, for He is the Creator of all people, in praise and in name and in honor, for all men witnessing the deeds of the Lord toward His chosen people would be constrained to magnify Jehovah as the supreme, the only God; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord, thy God, as He hath spoken; for that was the aim and the purpose of the Lord in all His dealing with His people. This end and aim of the divine will is still being realized in His Church, His believers, whom He intends to exalt to bliss ineffable in heaven, Eph 1:4.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv16, 18 General Information:
General Information:
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular. (See: Forms of You)
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with all your heart and with all your soul
Here "heart" and "soul" are metonyms for a person's inner being. These two phrases are used together to mean "completely" or "earnestly." See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 4:29. (See: Metonymy and Doublet)
that you will walk in his ways and keep his statutes, his commandments, and his decrees, and that you will listen to his voice
The words "walk," "keep," and "listen" have similar meanings here. Here "voice" refers to what God has said. AT: "that you will completely obey everything Yahweh commands" (See: Parallelism and Metonymy)
translationWords
command
obey
statute
decree
heart
soul
acknowledge
walk
voice
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 v16 26:16-19 Having laid out the great covenant principles (chs…
26:16-19 Having laid out the great covenant principles (chs 5–11) and clarified their application (chs 12–26), Moses urged the people to obey the covenant with all their hearts. The Lord had called them into a special relationship with himself, a privilege that required obedience to the covenant prescriptions. The result of this submission was holiness, a state that reflected God’s character and that would flow naturally from unbroken fellowship with him.
26:16 wholeheartedly (literally with all your heart and with all your soul): This Hebrew phrase is a clear reference to the Shema, the foundational statement of Israel’s faith and covenant commitment (see 6:4-5 and study notes). There could be no halfhearted compliance with God’s high and holy expectations; it must be all or nothing.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.