Verses 1-29

Exhortations and Warnings

In this chapter the covenant is renewed and enforced with a reminder of God's goodness and the consequences of disobedience.

3. Temptations] i.e. provings or trials: see n Deuteronomy 7:19.

4. The people have not laid these things to heart. For the form of expression see on the 'hardening of Pharaoh's heart' (Exodus 4:21).

6. Not eaten bread] but manna. They have been entirely dependent on God, and His care in providing for them should teach them humility and obedience. The goodness of God should lead to repentance.

11. Your little ones] Children share the privileges and responsibilities of the covenant into which they enter by circumcision.

15. With him that is not here] i.e. with succeeding generations: see on Deuteronomy 5:3.

18. A root that beareth gall and wormwood] The reference is to any one who secretly entices his neighbours to idolatry: see Deuteronomy 13:6, Deuteronomy 13:13, and for an instance Joshua 7:13, Joshua 7:25. The words are used in Hebrews 12:15.

19. Imagination] RV 'stubbornness.' To add drunkenness to thirst] i.e. the commission of the sin to the desire to commit it. RV, however, renders the words 'to destroy the moist with the dry,' which seems to be a proverbial expression, like 'root and branch,' indicating the destruction of the whole nation. The sinner perishes not alone in his iniquity, but involves others along with him. The LXX seems to understand the phrase in this sense, for it has 'lest the sinner destroy the innocent along with him.' Achan again furnishes an illustration. See Joshua 22:20.

23. Contrast the description of the good land that Jehovah intends His people to enjoy, Deuteronomy 8:7, Deuteronomy 8:9.

24. Cp. Jeremiah 5:19; Jeremiah 22:8, Jeremiah 22:9.

29. The meaning of this v. seems to be, 'we know not the entire nature and extent of the divine judgments; it is enough for us and for our children to have heard the commandments of God and to do them.'