Don’t say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrust them out from before you, “For my righteousness Yahweh has brought me in to possess this land;” because Yahweh drives them out before you because of the wickedness of these nations. Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Know therefore that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.
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Don’t say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrust them out from before you, “For my righteousness Yahweh has brought me in to possess this land;” because Yahweh drives them out before you because of the wickedness of these nations. Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Know therefore that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people. Remember, and don’t forget, how you provoked Yahweh your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you left the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against Yahweh. Also in Horeb you provoked Yahweh to wrath, and Yahweh was angry with you to destroy you. When I had gone up onto the mountain to receive the stone tablets, even the tablets of the covenant which Yahweh made with you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water. Yahweh delivered to me the two stone tablets written with God’s finger. On them were all the words which Yahweh spoke with you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly.
Parallel Translations
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Don’t say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrust them out from before you, “For my righteousness Yahweh has brought me in to possess this land;” because Yahweh drives them out before you because of the wickedness of these nations.
Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Know therefore that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.
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Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.
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Speak not thou in thy heart, after that the LORD thy God hath thrust them out from before thee, saying: 'For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land'; whereas for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thy heart, dost thou go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that He may establish the word which the LORD swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Know therefore that it is not for thy righteousness that the LORD thy God giveth thee this good land to possess it; for thou art a stiffnecked people.
Cross-references (47)
- Titus 3:5 (v5) not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and…
- Genesis 17:8 (v5) I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting…
- Deuteronomy 8:17 (v4) and lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.”
- Genesis 26:4 (v5) I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your offspring all the nations…
- Deuteronomy 9:5 (v4) Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations…
Show all 47 cross-references
- Deuteronomy 10:16 (v6) Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
- Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (v4) When you have come into the land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations. There…
- 2 Timothy 1:9 (v4) who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to…
- Genesis 12:7 (v5) Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who had appeared to him.
- Genesis 13:15 (v5) for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever.
- Genesis 15:7 (v5) He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
- Leviticus 18:24-30 (v4) “ ‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. The land…
- Deuteronomy 9:13 (v6) Furthermore Yahweh spoke to me, saying, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.
- Deuteronomy 31:27 (v6) For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against Yahweh. How…
- Acts 7:51 (v6) “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
- 1 Corinthians 4:7 (v4) For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not…
- Genesis 15:16 (v4) In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”
- Genesis 28:13 (v5) Behold, Yahweh stood above it, and said, “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. I will give the land you lie…
- Exodus 32:9 (v6) Yahweh said to Moses, “I have seen these people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people.
- Deuteronomy 7:7-8 (v4) Yahweh didn’t set his love on you nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all peoples;…
- Deuteronomy 12:31 (v4) You shall not do so to Yahweh your God; for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hates, they have done to their gods; for they even burn…
- Ezekiel 20:14 (v5) But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
- Romans 11:6 (v4) And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise…
- Titus 3:3-5 (v4) For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating…
- Exodus 32:13 (v5) Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring…
- Exodus 33:3 (v6) Go to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.”
- Exodus 34:9 (v6) He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, Lord, please let the Lord go among us, even though this is a stiff-necked people; pardon…
- Deuteronomy 9:3-4 (v6) Know therefore today that Yahweh your God is he who goes over before you as a devouring fire. He will destroy them and he will bring them…
- 2 Chronicles 30:8 (v6) Now don’t be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to Yahweh, and enter into his sanctuary, which he has sanctified…
- 2 Chronicles 36:13 (v6) He also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God; but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against…
- Psalms 78:8 (v6) and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was…
- Isaiah 48:3-4 (v6) I have declared the former things from of old. Yes, they went out of my mouth, and I revealed them. I did them suddenly, and they happened.…
- Ezekiel 2:4 (v6) The children are impudent and stiff-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’
- Ezekiel 20:44 (v6) You will know that I am Yahweh, when I have dealt with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your…
- Ezekiel 36:22 (v4) “Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which…
- Ezekiel 36:32 (v4) I don’t do this for your sake,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Let it be known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel.”
- Micah 7:20 (v5) You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
- Zechariah 7:11-12 (v6) But they refused to listen, and turned their backs, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear. Yes, they made their hearts as hard…
- Luke 1:54-55 (v5) He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”
- Acts 3:25 (v5) You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘All the families of the…
- Acts 13:32-33 (v5) We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus.…
- Romans 11:20 (v4) True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;
- Romans 11:28 (v5) Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.
- Romans 15:8 (v5) Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the…
- 1 Corinthians 4:4 (v4) For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.
- Ephesians 2:4-5 (v4) But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive…
- Romans 5:20-21 (v6) The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly; that as sin reigned in death, even…
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 vv4, 6 Man of himself can deserve nothing but God’s anger,…
Man of himself can deserve nothing but God’s anger, and if God spare any it cometh of his great mercy.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv4, 6 Deu 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after…
Deu 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
Ver. 4. For my righteousness.] We are all apt to weave a web of righteousness of our own, to spin a thread of our own to climb up to heaven by, to set a price upon ourselves above the market, to think great thoughts of ourselves, and to seek great things for ourselves. Caelum gratis non accipiam, saith one merit monger, I will not have heaven for nothing; and, Redde mihi aeternam vitam quam debes, saith another; Give me heaven, for thou owest it me. How blasphemous is that direction of the Papists to dying men, Coniunge, Domine, obsequium meum cum omnibus quae Christus passus est prome: Join, Lord, my righteousness with Christ’s righteousness! How much better was it with those ancient Papists here in England, to whom, upon their deathbeds, the ordinary instruction appointed to be given was, that they should look to come to glory, not by their own merits, but alone by the virtue and merit of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ; that they should place their whole confidence in his death only, and in no other thing! {a} &c. Those justiciaries, that seek to be saved by their works, Luther fitly calls the devil’s martyrs; they suffer much, and take much pains to go to hell, and by their much boasting, Haec ego feci, haec ego feci, they become no better than Faeces, saith he wittily. It is a good observation of a reverend divine, {b} that the Church in the Canticles is nowhere described by the beauty of her hands or fingers. Christ concealeth the mention of her hands - that is, of her works - (1.) Because he had rather his Church should abound in good works in silence, than boast of them, especially when they are wanting, as Rome doth; (2.) Because it is he alone that "worketh all our works for us." {Isa 26:12 Hos 14:8}
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{a} Dr Ussher, Ser. on Eph 4:13.
{b} Mr Cotton, on Cantic., p. 217.
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 vv5–6 Neither for thy upright heart, nor holy life, which…
Neither for thy upright heart, nor holy life, which are the two things which God above all things regards, 1Ch 29:17; Psa 15:1,2; and consequently he excludes all merit. And surely they who did not deserve this earthly Canaan, could not merit the kingdom of glory. That he may perform the word which he sware; to show my faithfulness in accomplishing that promise which I graciously made and confirmed with my oath. By which words it is implied, that this land was not given to them for the righteousness of their fathers, though they were righteous and holy persons, and much less for their own righteousness, which they had not, as it follows.
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 vv4–6 Speak not thou in thine heart,.... Never once think…
Speak not thou in thine heart,.... Never once think within thyself, or give way to such a vain imagination, and please thyself with it:
after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee; to make way for the Israelites, and put them into the possession of their land; which is to be ascribed not to them, but to the Lord:
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saying, for my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land; such a thought as this was not to be secretly cherished in their hearts, and much less expressed with their lips; nothing being more foreign from truth than this, and yet a notion they were prone to entertain. They were always a people, more or less, from first to last, tainted with a conceit of their own righteousness, and goodness, which they laboured to establish, and were ready to attribute all the good things to it they enjoyed, and nothing is more natural to men, than to fancy they shall be brought to the heavenly Canaan by and for their own righteousness; which is contrary to the perfections of God, his purity, holiness, and justice, which can never admit of an imperfect righteousness in the room of a perfect one; to justify anyone thereby, is contrary to the Gospel scheme of salvation; which is not by works of righteousness men have done, but by the grace and mercy of God through Christ; it would make useless, null, and void, the righteousness of Christ, which only can justify men in the sight of God, give a title to heaven and happiness, and an abundant entrance into it; and would occasion boasting, not only in the present state, but even in heaven itself; whereas the scheme of salvation is so framed and fixed, that there may be no room for boasting, here or hereafter, see Rom 3:27,
but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee; namely, their idolatry, incest, and other notorious crimes; see Lev 18:3, which sufficiently justifies God in all his dealings with these nations.
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 vv5–6 Not for thy righteousness - Neither for thy upright…
Not for thy righteousness - Neither for thy upright heart, nor holy life, which are the two things which God above all things regards. And consequently he excludes all merit. And surely they who did not deserve this earthly Canaan, could not merit the kingdom of glory. To perform the word - To shew my faithfulness in accomplishing that promise which I graciously made and confirmed with my oath.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v5 Verse 5. For the wickedness of these nations] So…
Verse 5. For the wickedness of these nations] So then it was not by any sovereign act of God that these people were cast out, but for their wickedness; they had transgressed the law of their Creator; they had resisted his Spirit, and could no longer be tolerated. The Israelites were to possess their land, not because they deserved it, but first, because they were less wicked than the others; and secondly, because God thus chose to begin the great work of his salvation among men. Thus then the Canaanites were cut off, and the Israelites were grafted in; and the Israelites, because of their wickedness, were afterwards cut off and the Gentiles grafted in. Let the latter not be high-minded, but fear; if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he spare not thee. But let it be remembered that this land was originally their own, and that the present possessors had no legal right to it.
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 v5 Deu 9:5. Not for thy righteousness — Neither for…
Deu 9:5. Not for thy righteousness — Neither for thy upright heart nor holy life, the two things which God, above all others, regards. Here, therefore, all merit in them is excluded: and they are given to know that, although the Canaanites were expelled for their national wickedness, they were not settled in their room for their righteousness. And surely they, who did not deserve this earthly Canaan, could not merit the kingdom of glory. To perform the word — To show my faithfulness in accomplishing that promise which I graciously made and confirmed with my oath.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v4 Speak not thou in thine heart, . . .…
Speak not thou in thine heart, . . . saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land--Moses takes special care to guard his countrymen against the vanity of supposing that their own merits had procured them the distinguished privilege. The Canaanites were a hopelessly corrupt race, and deserved extermination; but history relates many remarkable instances in which God punished corrupt and guilty nations by the instrumentality of other people as bad as themselves. It was not for the sake of the Israelites, but for His own sake, for the promise made to their pious ancestors, and in furtherance of high and comprehensive purposes of good to the world, that God was about to give them a grant of Canaan.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v4 4, 5. Speak not,… For my righteousness — Moses…
4, 5. Speak not,… For my righteousness — Moses sees as one of the perils to which the people will be exposed the disposition to ascribe their success to themselves, or as bestowed upon them on account of their own righteousness; so he repeats, to make it more impressive, Not for thy righteousness,… but for the wickedness of these nations.
In Deu_9:7-24 Moses reminds the people of the long record of their rebellious acts against Jehovah. From Egypt to the borders of the land promised to them for an inheritance they have murmured and rebelled.
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 vv4–6 4. Speak … in thine heart] See on Deu_8:17.
4. Speak … in thine heart] See on Deu_8:17.
thrust them out] See on Deu_6:19.
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For my righteousness] Here ethical: contr. Deu_6:25.
whereas for the wickedness … from before thee] The whole clause is wanting in LXX B and seems a gloss or expansion anticipating the next v. and weakening the connection (Valeton, Dillm., Driver, Steuern., Berth.).
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 vv4–6 (4) But for the wickedness.—“Say not in thine heart,…
(4) But for the wickedness.—“Say not in thine heart, ‘in my righteousness,’ when it is in consequence of their wickedness that Jehovah is dispossessing them from before thee.”
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 vv4, 6 Vers. 4, 5. Speak not thou in thine heart.…
Vers. 4, 5. Speak not thou in thine heart. (cf. Deu_8:17) The distinction between righteousness and uprightness (straightness) of heart, is that the former (dx) has reference to rectitude of conduct, the latter (rvy) to rectitude of motive and purpose. "By naming justice righteousness, he excludeth all merit of works, and by righteousness uprightness of heart, all inward affections and purposes. which men might plead, notwithstanding that they fail in action. Yet these two are the chief things which God respecteth in men" (Psa_15:1, Psa_15:2; 1Ch_29:17) (Ainsworth).
Vers. 4, 5. See Homilies on (Deu_3:11 Deu_7:1-11)
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HOMILIES BY J. ORR. Vers. 4-7. Self-righteousness.
Strange capacity of human nature for self-delusion! It was an extraordinary error to fall into, when the Jew began to fancy that by his own power and might he had conquered Palestine. (Deu_8:17) Yet more extraordinary was the delusion that he had been brought into the land on account of righteousness. The two errors sprang from the same root. The worldly mind, which spurns at the acknowledgment of God"s bestowal of what it has, has its counterpart in the self-righteous mind, which attributes God"s dealings with it to its superior sanctity. Self-exaltation, pride, in both. In the one case, "my power," etc., in the other, "my righteousness.
I THE NATURE OF THE ERROR. A magnified opinion of one"s righteousness. The idea that it is our righteousness which is the meritorious ground of the bestowal of blessing. The Jews might not suppose that they were absolutely righteous though some of the later Pharisees seem almost to have got this length. (Luk_18:11) But they thought that they were so far righteous as to have established a claim on God"s justice for what they had. This is a state of mind into which men glide half unconsciously. We often say it "in our hearts," when we would be ashamed to avow it with our lips. The self-complacency, e.g. which accepts prosperity as the reward of superior virtue; the self-satisfaction which esteems such reward due to it; the complaint of injustice which is raised when blessings are removed, betray its presence. In the spiritual sphere, the tendency is evidenced in the denial of the need of salvation; in the self-justifying spirit which refuses to accept the position of one condemned, and justly exposed to wrath; in the reassertion in subtler or coarser forms of the principle of salvation by works. In whatever degree a man thinks himself entitled to acceptance with God, and to spiritual blessings, whether on the ground of obedience to prescribed rules, or on the ground of internal characteristics (faith, holiness, etc.), he is permitting himself to fall into this error.
II THE SOURCE OF THE ERROR. The Israelites might fall into it:
1. By emphasizing their acts of obedience and forgetting their rebellions. This, as Moses shows, is practically what they did. It is not an uncommon fault. We forget our sins, and, thinking only of obediences, slide by easy stages into a self-satisfied and pleased view of ourselves.
2. By comparing themselves with the former generation. They had not been, as their fathers were, absolutely disobedient and recalcitrant. They were going up to possess the land. This comparing of ourselves with others is not wise. If a little in advance of our neighbors, it is extremely apt to inflate our consciousness of integrity. (2Co_10:12)
3. By arguing from the fulfillment of promise. God had promised victory and possession on condition of obedience. Having got the blessings, they might argue that, in God"s judgment, they must have been obedient. We, in like manner, may argue from God"s kindness to us that we must have been peculiarly, pleasing to him. Hence that we are deserving of what we have received. The spring of all is the natural egoism of the heart. It is its own center. It wishes to exalt and glorify itself. It has no idea of glorying only in God. It is self-exalting, not God-exalting. (1Co_1:29-31; Gal_6:14; Php_3:7-10)
III THE REFUTATION OF THE ERROR. Even perfect righteousness would not justify self-righteousness. The very indulgence of the self-glorying spirit refutes the contention of righteousness. Whoever is the righteous man, it is not he who boasts of righteousness!
For merit lives from man to man, And not from man, O Lord, to thee.
But:
1. We are not righteous. The only justifying righteousness is a perfect one, and that no man can plead. The legal ground is destroyed when we admit failure in even one point. (Jam_2:10)
2. We are, in many ways, disobedient and rebellious. Past acts testify against us. Our daily life testifies against us. He knows little of self who does not read, in his disinclinations to duty, in his reluctant performances, in his rebellions at difficulties, in his secret impatience, in his frequent inclining to things forbidden, the signs of a wayward and rebellious disposition.
The true ground on which blessing is bestowed is wrapped up in that old oath sworn to the fathers (ver. 5), in the seed of Christ, in whom only we have acceptance. J.O.
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 v4 Not for thy righteousness.
Deu_9:4-5
Not for thy righteousness.
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That outward success, prosperity, and greatness in the world is no true evidence of grace
I. Men are very prone to make the outward prosperity and increase which God giveth them an argument of their righteousness, and so of Gods love to them, to save them. They think it impossible that, seeing God hath so blessed them here, He should damn them hereafter. For the discovery of the weakness of this prop take notice first of these particulars.
1. Prosperity, wealth, and success are in themselves blessings, mercies, and so good things to be desired. Hence we read of the people of God praying for these earthly mercies, and we have a direction for it in the Lords Prayer, when we pray for daily bread. It is true, indeed, the very petition doth much limit our desires, for it is after the great things that belong to Gods glory; and it is but one petition, whereas there are divers for spiritual things, so that our Saviour would have us to be above these earthly things, as those fowls of the heaven are which on a sudden fall on the ground for their food, but presently fly up to heaven again; and then it is daily food, or as the most learned expound it, food convenient, and decent for our place and calling, not superfluity.
2. Although these are blessings and mercies, and so good things, yet they are not sanctifying of those that have them. Dives said he had good things laid up in store, but how were they good which made him bad? How were they good which could not keep him out of hell? Riches, therefore, are neither good nor bad, but indifferent in their nature. Those are good things which make us good.
3. As outward wealth and increase are blessings, so they do belong by promise unto godliness (1Ti_4:8). I do not say with some divines that wicked men have no right to their goods, that they are usurpers, and shall answer for every bit of bread they eat, as robbers and thieves. No, it is a dangerous position to hold civil dominion and right to be placed upon godliness. The earth hath He given to the children of men, saith the Psalmist, to all men as well as to the godly; but as there is a lawful, civil right, so there is a sanctified use, and this only the godly have.
4. Although we cannot conclude grace by outward mercies, yet thus far we must by Scripture say, that God out of a general love in a providential way doth give many a man outward prosperity and wealth for his diligence, industry, upright and honest dealing in the world. Thus Solomon saith, The hand of the diligent maketh rich, and truth and justice in our day is blessed by God to increase.
5. Some go into another extremity, and conclude of their good estate and holy condition because they are in a poor, needy, and miserable estate, and destitute of all earthly comforts. But every poor man is not a Lazarus, nay, there are many times none more wicked, cursed, profane, and enemies to all goodness, than those that are in a low and miserable condition. A woeful thing it is, indeed, to have nothing but misery here, and nothing but torments hereafter.
II. Why outward prosperity and blessings do not argue a mans good estate.
1. It may be demonstrated from the original, or fountain, whence they flow. It is not only from Gods love, but His anger also. Sometimes God giveth men the outward comforts of this life in His hot displeasure.
2. Therefore may not outward plenty and mercies be made a sign of our good estate, because they have always in corrupt hearts corrupt and sinful operations. As--
(1) Outward comforts in the plenty of them are apt to beget pride and loftiness of heart, so as to despise and contemn those that are under them.
(2) If these outward mercies deaden thy heart to the things of God, or the exercise of those means of grace God hath appointed, oh, thou hast cause then to tremble in the increase of them.
(3) Then can outward abundance be no comfortable sign, when the means to get it and the way to preserve it are unlawful, and such as the Scripture condemneth.
3. Therefore may we not trust in outward prosperity, because God many times giveth a man all the good things he shall have in this life only, and afterwards there is nothing but everlasting woe and misery.
4. Therefore may we not trust in these, because we many times abuse them to a contrary end for which God gave them; He gave them to be instruments of much glory to God and good to others. Rich men are the greatest men in debt of all others; they owe much to God, much to the public, much to others necessities; now what comfort canst thou take if God bless thee with these things if thou dost not also find Him making thee thereby instrumental to His glory? If thou keepest all the good mercies God vouchsafeth to thee, as the ants and pismires do their grain and corn, which they hide in their little hills, and, as they say, bite it that it may not grow.
5. They are not to be relied on, because though all power to get wealth and prosper in the world argue God is with thee, yet He may be only with thee providentially and powerfully, not graciously; as when Nebuchadnezzar conquered and prevailed, when Alexander became great, Augustus happy. God was with these in a mighty, providential way, but not graciously.
Use--1. Of reproof to those who desire these outward good things more than inward and spiritual.
Use--2. Of instruction to those who meet with much prosperity and outward encouragements in this world. Take heed of thinking that God doth this to thee for thy righteousness, for thy piety.
Use--3. Of consolation to the godly, who, it may be, want many of those outward mercies the wicked have. Let them know they are no arguments of true godliness, or of Gods dear love in Christ. (Anthony Burgess.)
The warnings of Moses
I. Principles of Gods government.
1. Mark the assertion that God governs mankind.
2. That God governs by law in the moral as in the material world.
II. They point out a national danger--self-righteousness.
1. A subtlety in self-righteousness. It is so multiform.
(1) There may be the form of godliness, etc.
(2) A power to criticise.
(3) Freedom from observable faults.
(4) Possession of some great virtues.
2. And its danger is--
(1) To mistake the outward for the inward.
(2) To lose sight of personal sin through the glorification of some real or imaginary virtue.
(3) To rest on privileges.
(4) To simulate virtues.
(5) To blind the soul as to its real state and need.
Application--
1. Self-righteousness the great hindrance to the reception of the Gospel now (Luk_18:10; Rom_10:3; Rev_3:17).
2. Use Davids prayer (Psa_139:23).
3. Work of the Holy Spirit (Joh_16:8). (H. W. Dearden, M. A.)
The address of Moses
I. The address of Moses is very different from the addresses of most captains of armies under similar circumstances.
1. He makes no attempt to underrate the power of the enemies with whom the Israelites had to contend. He begins his address by telling the people that they are that day to pass over Jordan, to go in and possess nations greater and mightier than themselves. The reason for his giving such information was that the design of God was not merely to conquer the Canaanites, but to educate Israel, to teach them that by Gods power weakness may be made strength and the mighty vanquished by the feeble.
2. Moses assures the people in plain language that no righteousness of theirs had gained them the land. They might be ready enough to admit that it was not their own courage or their own bodily strength, but they might still be disposed to think that they had deserved Gods favour, that if they had not been deserving of the victory, God would not have given it to them. Self-flattery is easy, and therefore Moses very wisely and decidedly protested once for all against such a view of Gods doings.
II. The principle of spiritual life with ourselves is precisely that which Moses laid down as the principle of national life for the Israelites. God gives us the land of promise for no righteousness of our own. Everything depends on Gods mercy, Gods will, Gods purpose; the certainty of victory depends, not upon any feelings or experiences or conflicts of ours, but upon the ever-present help of the Almighty God. (Bp. Harvey Goodwin.)
Heaven and glory not the reward of our own righteousness
One would think this too obvious to be disputed in the mind of an Israelite. Then I ask if any man or woman, taking a calm retrospect of his or her life, has not to say the same?
I. Let us inquire to what subjects this principle may be applied.
1. To our lot in life, and to our temporal affairs. The earth is the Lords, and the fulness thereof. He may do what He will with His own. In the independence and infinite sovereignty of His government He sends small means and penury, or He dispenses riches and honours, according to His own good pleasure, and to accomplish the inscrutable purposes of His heavenly providence.
2. To our religious condition and privileges.
3. To success in the ministry.
4. To the rest and glory of the heavenly world. Eternal life is the gift of God.
II. What are the reasons for which we shall possess the land?
1. The choice and will, the purpose and pleasure of the Almighty.
2. Gods justice on the one hand, and His goodness on the other.
3. The faithfulness of God to His promises.
III. What is the use of this doctrine?
1. It is taught us that we may understand it. Acknowledge your own poverty and Gods riches. Submit to His method and plan of justification and acceptance by Christ. Do not go about to establish your own righteousness.
2. I cannot conclude without one caution. A farthing is a farthing, and a sixpence is a sixpence; so of an ingot of gold or a banknote. And a farthing will only purchase what it is worth. A sixpence will not buy what is worth a hundred pounds. But let it buy what it will. If you want an estate you must give the ingots and the banknotes. So let the work of Christ alone, the costly and prodigious sum, secure for you the glory and the heritage of heaven. But let your own righteousness and your small virtues do what they will. You cannot purchase glory with them, but they will do much for the welfare of men and the honour of God, and they will show forth your gratitude and love. (James Stratten.)
Mercy, not merit
Mercy, not merit, is the cause of all the blessings of our being.
I. This is true of our secular possessions. If we say that our comfortable homes, our freedom from temporal anxiety, and our possession of a competency, have come to us as the result of industrious efforts and economical habits, that they are our reward for honest labour: the reply is--
1. That to such a reward we have no right. We are sinners, and justly deserve not only destitution but destruction.
2. That both the materials of labour, and the power to labour, which have brought us these comforts, are to be ascribed to Gods mercy.
II. This is true of our religious advantages. Bibles, sanctuaries, religious literature. The tender mercies of our God have visited us.
III. This is true of our Christian experience.
IV. This is true of our spiritual usefulness. Not by might, nor by power, etc.
V. This is true of our heavenly inheritance. (Homilist.)
The favoured peoples of the earth
There are favoured peoples in all communities--persons specially favoured by their healthful constitutions, vigorous intellect, lofty genius, high culture, worldly wealth.
I. Whatever favours distinguish one class of men from another in society, they are the gifts of God. This should teach us--
1. Not to be proud for our superiorities.
2. To thank God for our superiorities.
3. To bless men by our superiorities.
II. These distinguished gifts are bestowed, not on the ground or any special moral excellence.
III. The fact that they are not bestowed on the ground of moral superiority should be well understood by men.
1. Understand it, that you may not deceive yourself. Let no man conclude because he is prosperous that he is the favoured of heaven.
2. Understand it, that you may realise your responsibility. (Homilist.)
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 vv4–6 General Information:
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person. (See: Forms of You)
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Do not say in your heart
Here "in your heart" means "in your thoughts." AT: "Do not think to yourselves" (See: Metonymy)
has thrust them out
"has driven the other peoples out"
translationWords
heart
righteous
possess
evil
cast out
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 vv5–6 9:5 to fulfill the oath: In the covenant promises…
9:5 to fulfill the oath: In the covenant promises made to the patriarchs, God swore that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan (Gen 13:14-17; 15:18-21; see Deut 1:8; 8:18).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.