Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 5 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
1 A rehearsall of Gods mercies, in renuing the two tables of the Covenant; 6 in leading the people forward towards Canaan, and continuing the priest-hood after Aarons death; 8 in separating the tribe of Levi unto the ministerie; 10 in hearkning unto Moses his suit for the people. 12 An exhortation unto obedience, 14 because of Gods glorie: 15 love unto Israel; 17 justice towards all; 21 his fearefull workes, 22 and multiplication of his people.
AT that time Iehovah said unto mee, Hew thee two tables of stone, like the first, and come up unto me, into the mount, and thou shalt make thee an Arke of wood. And I will write on the tables the words which were on the first tables, which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the Arke. And I made an Arke of Shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone, like the first, & went up into the mount, and the two tables in my hand. And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten words which Iehovah had spoken unto you in the mount, out of the midst of the fire, in the day of the assembly: and Iehovah gave them unto me. And I turned my self, and came downe from the mount, and I put the tables in the Arke which I had made, and there they be, as Iehovah commanded me. And the sonnes of Israel journeyed from Beeroth of the sonnes of Iaakan from Moserah: there Aaron dyed, and was buried there; and Eleazar his sonne administred the Priests office in his stead. From thence they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Iot-bath, a land of rivers of waters. At that time Iehovah separated the tribe of Levi, to beare the Arke of the covenant of Iehovah, to stand before Iehovah to minister unto him, and to blesse in his name unto this day. Therefore Levi hath no part or inheritance with his brethren: Iehovah, he is his inheritance, as Iehovah thy God spake unto him. And I stood in the mount, according to the former dayes, fortie dayes, and fortie nights: and Iehovah hearkened unto me, at that time also; Iehovah would not destroy thee. And Iehovah said unto me, Arise, goe in journey before the people, that they may goe in, and possesse the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
And now Israel, what doth Iehovah thy God aske of thee, but to feare Iehovah thy God, to walke in all his waies, and to love him, and to serve Iehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soule. To keepe the commandements of Iehovah and his statutes, which I command thee this day, for good unto thee. Behold, unto Iehovah thy God belong the heavens, and the heavens of heavens, the earth, and all that therein is. OnelyOnly in thy fathers Iehovah had a delight, to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you, above all peoples, as it is this day. Circumcise therefore the super fluous foreskinne of your heart, and make not your necke stiffe any more. For, Iehovah your God, hee is God of Gods, and Lord of Lords, the great God, the mightie, and the fearefull, which will not regard persons, nor take reward. Hee doth the judgement of the father lesse and widow, and loweth the stranger, in giving unto him bread and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt feare Iehovah thy God, him thou shalt serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, & by his name shalt thou sweare.
He is thy praise, and he is thy, God, which hath done for thee these great and fearefull things, which thine eies have seene. With seventie sonles did thy fathers goe downe into Egypt, and now Iehovah thy God hath made thee as the starres of the heavens for multitude.
Annotations.
AT that time] Moses rehearsing the mercies of God unto Israel, (for which they should love and obey him,) sheweth how upon his request, God presently shewed the tokens of his grace, by renuing the covenant; the history whereof is in Exod. 34. hew thee] herein they differed from the first Tables, which were the worke of God, Exod. 32. 16. These being of Moses hewing, shewed the worke of Moses Law upon the heart of man, which is to hew and polish it, but not to change it from stone to flesh, for that is the worke of Christ: see the notes on Exod. 31. 18. & 34. 1. come up] Moses onelyonly, and no man with him, was commanded to goe up to the top of the mount; and it was to be in the morning, the time of merciemercy: see Exod. 34. 2, 3. Of the mount Sinai, and how it differed from mount Sion, see the annotations on Exod. 19. and 20. an Arke] of this there was no mention in Exod. 34. but in Exod. 25. there the Arke and Mercy-feat that covered it, is commanded: which was a figure of Christ. That seemeth to be the Arke here spoken of; for any other temporary Arke we reade not of.
Vers. 2. on the first] Gods law was the same, and unchanged; though the tables (figuring mens hearts) are changeable.
Vers. 3. Shittim wood] which was a kinde of Cedar, uncorruptible, as the Greeke translateth it: see the notes on Exod. 25. 5. in my hand] the Greeke saith, in my two hands, as was in Deut. 9. 15. The Tables which God made and gave before, were written on: these which Moses made were hewed, but empty, till God wrote upon them: so the Law is written in mens hearts, and they doe by nature the things of the Law, Rom. 2. 14, 15. but corrupting themselves in the things that they know, their hearts are hewed onelyonly by Moses ministery; and how ever they boast of the Law, yet through breaking the Law they dishonour God, Rom. 2. 23. till that be fulfilled which God hath promised, I will put my lawes into their minde, and write them in their hearts, Heb. 8. 10.
Vers. 4. the ten words] that is, ten commandements; or Decalogue: these were written by God himselfe, but other lawes then rehearsed, were written by Moses, Exod. 34. 27, 28. For there the Lord came downe in a cloud, proclaimed his name, renued the covenant, and repeated the principall lawes, Exod. 34. 5. &c. day of the assembly] or, of the Church, that is, when the Church or people were assembled to heare the Law, or to meet with God, as Exod. 19. 17. Deut. 5. 22. So in Deut. 18. 16. And in Acts 7. 38. it is said, This (Moses) is he that was in the Church (or Assembl…) in the wildernesse with the Angell, which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers, who received the lively oracles to give unto us.
Vers. 5. in the Arke] so the covenant remained in the midst of Israel, and the Tables were not broken as at the first: howbeit Moses face now shined at his second comming downe, which terrified the people, and caused him to veile his face; an other signe of the weaknesse of his legall ministery: see the notes on Exod. 34. 29. there they be] for an evidence of Gods grace, and testimony of his covenant renued with Israel. Wherefore those Tables were called the Testimonie; and the Arke wherein they were put, the Arke of the Testimony: see Exod. 25. 10. 16. 22.
Vers. 6. journeyed] the Arke of Gods covenant going before them, to search out a resting place for them, Numb. 10. 33. So this was another testimony of their reconciliation with God, and of his graces to bee communicated unto them in Christ. Beeroth] by interpretation, Wells, or Pits: which word is not mentioned in Num. 33. 31. but understood there. Neither was it a place by mount Sinai, from whence they first journeyed, Numb. 10. 33. but many stations from it, as appeareth by Numb. 33. 16.—31. Moses therefore keepeth not here the order of their travels, but signifieth how they had gone many journeyes forward, the Lord conducting thē. Some of the Hebrewes (as Aben Ezra) doe thinke this was another place than that of the sonnes of Iaakan, mentioned in Numb. 33. and that hereby is meant Kadesh. sonnes of Iaakan] who was one of the posterity of Seir, whom the Edomites drove out of their land, 1 Chron. 1. 38.—42. Moses before named him Akan, Gen. 36. 27. From the Pits or We… of these infidels, God removed them towards the land of Canaan, the promised holy land, where by faith in Christ, they might with joy draw waters out of the fountaines of salvation, Esay 12. 3. Moserah] called before (in the plurall number) Moseroth, Numb. 33. 30. and it was their station before they came to the wells of the sonnes of Iaakan, though here Moses nameth it after. Wherefore we … here to understand againe, from Moserah, or, & Moserah. The Greeke calleth it Misadai, changing … D. which is usuall, as is noted on Gen. 4. 18. But Aben Ezra (as before) thinketh this Moserah … the name of the wildernesse of mount Hor, … Aaron died, and not the Moseroth spoken of … Num. 33. there Aaron died] not at Moserah; (unlesse it were the wildernesse of Hor, as … Ezra supposeth) not at Beeroth, but many jo…ey from it, at mount Hor, Num. 33. 37, 38. We are therefore to understand these words thus, … (or thither.) where Aaron died. Or supplying the former word, frō thence where Aaron died. … there] out of the land of Canaan, whereinto … …ght not enter, because of his sin: see the an…ons on Num. 20. 24. &c. in his stead] As … …ath of Moses and Aaron, with their sister M…, (the King, Priest and Prophetesse of Israel) … testification of the weaknesse and impossibility of the legall kingdome and priesthood, to being them into the kingdome of God: so the …nce of the Priesthood in Aarons poste…y, was another signe of Gods grace towards Israel, for reconciliation of them to himselfe, and blessing them, till Christ (who hath a Priesthood that passeth not from him to another) should come, who is able perfectly to save them that come unto God by him, Heb. 7. 11. 12, 23, 24, 25.
Vers. 7. From thence] namely, from Beeroth of the sonnes of Iaakan, Numb. 33. 32. Gudgodah] in the Chaldee, Gudgod; in Greeke, Gadgad: before Moses named it Hor-hagidgad, that is, the Hole of Gidgad: see Num. 33. 32, 33. Iotbath] in Greeke, Ietabatha, as in Num. 33. 33.
Vers. 8. At that time] not when they came to Iotbath, but long before, whiles they were at mount Sina, God separated the tribe of Levi: see Num. 3. 1, 6, &c. So the time (when God was provoked to wrath) commendeth the riches of his grace. separated] from all other businesse, to serve the Lord and his people, Exod. 28. 1. Numb. 3. 45. and 16. 9. tribe of Levi] of which tribe Aaron and all the Priests were; so he speaketh here of the whole▪ to beare] Hereupon David said, It is not for any to beare the Arke of God, but for the Levites, &c. 1 Chron. 15. 2. See also Numb. 4. 15. to stand] this gesture the Priests and Levites used in all their ministration, standing, not sitting; and it was a signe of service, as hee that stood before the King, Ier. 52. 12. is in another Scripture called the servant of the King, 2 King. 25. 8. So after, in Deut. 17. 12. and 18. 5. 7. Iudg. 20. 28. In like manner, the Prophets are said to stand before the Lord, 1 King. 17. 1. and 18. 15. 2 King. 3. 14. and 5. 16. Likewise also the Angels, as Luk. 1. 19. I am Gabriel that stand before God: so in 2 Chron. 18. 18. And as the Levites stood before the Lord, so they are said also to stand before the people, and to serve them, Numb. 16. 9. 2 Chron. 35. 3. Ezek. 44. 11. to blesse] of this duty, see the annotations on Num. 6. 23. Thus God provided for the comfort of their soules, whiles his ministery was setled among them, by which they might daily have accesse unto his throne of grace.
Vers. 9. no part] to wit, no part in the spoiles taken by warre, no inheritance in the land of Canaan, which was divided among the other tribes onelyonly: see Num. 18. 20. and 26. 53, 57. and 35. 2. Deut. 18. 1. he is] for of the first-fruits, tithes, vowes, and oblations of the Lord, the Priests and Levites had their livelihood: see the annotations on Num. 18. 8, 9.—20, 21, &c. Therefore the Chaldee paraphrast here translateth, the gifts that the Lord hath given him, they are his inheritance. Of which see more in Deut. 12. 19. and 14. 27. and 18. 1, 2.
Vers. 10. And stood] or, when I had stood, that is, both stayed (or abidden) and in prayer waited upon the Lord for mercy. Standing, often signifieth prayer, as is noted on Gen. 18. 22. and the words following here manifest the same. hearkned] the Chaldee expounds it, accepted my prayer. destroy] Hebr. corrupt; which when it is spoken of God, usually meaneth destruction: set Gen. 6. 13.
Vers. 11. that they may] or, and they shall, which the Greeke translateth, and let them goe in. These phrases are one in sense, as is noted on Gen. 12. 12. and 27. 4. This commandement and promise was a testimony that God now was reconciled unto them, by the intercession of Moses.
Vers. 12. aske of thee] This word, often used when men aske▪ that is, request or desire a thing of God, 1 Sam. 1. 17, 20, 27. Iam. 1. 5, 6. is here used for Gods asking obedience of men, as if he desired and requested the same; and as in Mica. 6. 8. he is said to seeke, or require the like thing. This grace Paul sheweth most effectually, saying; as though God did beseech you by us, wee pray you in Christs stead, be yee reconciled to God, 2 Cor. 5. 20. to feare] see the notes on Deut. 6. 13. This feare is the beginning of wisedome, Prov. 1. 7. by which men depart from evill, Prov. 16. 6. VntoUnto which, and other holy duties, Moses calleth this people, as being the end and use of the former rehearsall of their sinnes, and of Gods mercies towards them. So by other Prophets, he calleth men to obedience and humble walking before him, rather than to sacrifice: see 1 Sam. 15. 22. Ier. 7. 22, 23. Mic. 6. 6, 7, 8. his wayes] that is, to follow him, in his faith and religion, and all his commandements; for these are the wayes of God, Psal. 25. 4, 5. Act. 18. 25, 26. The Chaldee translateth, the wayes which are right before him: see the notes on Gen. 18. 19. and 6. 12. to love] The summe and end of the Law, 1 Tim. 1. 5. See the notes on Exod. 20. 6. serve] in outward obedience also; that we love, not in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and truth, 1 Ioh. 3. 18. What serving implieth, see noted on Exod. 20. 5. and Deut. 6. 13.
Vers. 13. for good] or, as the Greeke and Chaldee interpret, that it may be well with thee: so Deut. 5. 33. In serving the Lord, the glory redoundeth unto him, the benefit to our selves: for, them that honour him, hee will honour, 1 Sam. 2. 30. and godlinesse hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4 8.
Vers. 14. unto Iehovah] or, of Iehovah: his they are, and of him made, preserved, and loved generally as his creatures, for he saveth man and beast, Psal. 36. 7. and is kinde unto the unthankefull, and to the evill, Luk. 35. So it is acknowledged in Neh. 9. 6. Thou even thou, art Lord alone, thou hast made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, with all their hast, the earth, and all things that are therein; the seas, and all that is therein; and thou preservest them all, and the h…st of heaven worshippeth thee. the heavens of heavens▪] that is, the highest heavens, as the Apostle mentioneth the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12. 2. Hereby …he Angels also are implied; so in Targum Ionathan… it is explained, the heavens of heavens, and companies of Angels which are in them, to …ister before him.
Vers. 15. had a delight,] which the Greeke translateth, fore-chose to love them: and this is his speciall grace to his Church in Christ, Ephes. 1. 3, 4, 5, &c. their seed] their children, as the Chaldee explaines it; for Gods grace is continued unto the posterity of the faithfull, even to thousands of them that love him, &c. Exod. 20. 6.
Vers. 16. the superfluous fore-skinne] this the Greeke translateth, hardnesse of heart: the Chaldee, foolishnesse (or grossenesse) of the heart: See the annotations on Gen. 17. 11. Hereby is taught repentance and mortification of the inward man, by circumcision of the heart, in the spirit, Rom. 2. 29. in putting off the body of the sinnes of the flesh, Col. 2. 11. For we are the circumcision that worship God in the Spirit, Phil. 3. 3. Hereupon God promiseth to circumcise their hearts, Deut. 30. 6. and blameth them that were uncircumcised in heart, Ier. 9. 26. Acts 7. 51. make not your necke stiffe] or, harden not, (stiffen not) your necke: see Deut. 9. 6. This is against their outward disobedience, as the former was against their inward; and teacheth submission unto the yoke of Gods law, contrary to their former stubbornnesse.
Vers. 17. God of Gods] that is, the chiefest God, in respect of all that are called Gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as there be Gods many, and Lords many, 1 Cor. 8. 5, 6. The Idols of the Heathens, the Angels in heaven, and Magistrates on earth, are called Gods, Deut. 7. 25. Psal. 8. 6. with Heb. 2. 7, 8, 9. Psal. 82. regard persons] or respect (or accept) faces: which the Greeke translateth, not have in admiration the person (or face) of any; which phrase the Apostle useth, Iude v. 16. Of God, sundry other Scriptures testifie, that hee respecteth no persons, as Act. 10. 34. Rom. 2. 11. 2 Chron. 19. 7. Iob 34. 19. 1 Pet. 1. 17. Gal. 2. 6. Ephes. 6. 9. Col. 3. 25. nor take reward] that is, will not pervert judgement, by condemning the innocent, or justifying the wicked, for gifts or rewards, as unrighteous Iudges doe, 1 Sam. 8. 3. Psal. 15. 5. Esay 5. 23.
Vers. 18. doth the judgement] that is, executeth the rightfull sentence, for delivering, or avenging them; as it is said, the Lord hath judged (that is, delivered) him from the hand of his enemies, 2 Sam. 18. 19. And he doth judgements to all oppressed, Psal. 103. 6. But the fatherlesse and widow are here by name expressed, because such are commonly and easily wronged in the world, Iob 22. 9. and 24. 3, 9. Psal. 94. 6. Ezek. 22. 7. therefore God is said to be the Iudge, that is, the Patron, defender and releever of such, Psal. 68. 6. and 10. 14. and 146. 7. 9. and commandeth men to be the like, Esay 1. 17. Psal. 82. 3. bread] that is, as the Chaldee explaineth it, food: for bread, which is the staffe & stay of mans life, is often used for all meat, as is noted on Genes. 3. 19. And as God feedeth strangers, so he commandeth his people to doe the like, Deut. 14. 29. and 16. 11. 14. and 24. 19, 20, 21. and 26. 11, 12.
Vers. 19. Love ye therefore] or, And love ye the stranger, to wit, as God loveth him, that is, manifest your love by releeving him: see Ia…. 2. 15, 16. y… were strangers] this remembrance of their former misery, is often used, to move them unto compassiō towards others. See Exod. 22. 21. Lev. 19. …3, 34.
Vers. 20. cleave] This word is first used to expresse the union that is betweene man and wi…e, Gen. 2. 24. applied here, to signifie our union with …d in Christ, as Paul sheweth it by the same …de of marriage, Ephes. 5. 25.—32. But this is spirituall …as hee saith, He that cleaveth to the Lord, is one spirit, 1 Cor. 6. 17. It is to be done with purpose of heart, Act. 11. 23. and with soule, Psal. 63. 9. with a continued resolution, as Ruth 1. 14.—16. So in other cases, cleaving signifieth such an union as will not be parted, Iob 41. …7. Dan. 2. 43. Compare also Deut. 4. 4. and 11. 22. and 13. 4. and 30. 20. sweare] hereby Confession is implied, … is before noted on Deut. 6. 13.
Vers. 21. thy praise] in Greeke, thy glorying, that is, whom thou oughtest to praise continually, and in whom thou art to glory. So Ieremy said, th… art my praise, Ier. 17. 14. and David, O God of my praise, Psal. 109 1. and, the praises of Israel, Psal. 22. 4. fearefull things] in Greeke, glorious things; which imply both the good things done unto Israel, and the evill unto their enemies, as appeareth by Psal. 106. 22. 2 Sam. 7. 23. Esay 64. 3.
Vers. 22. seventy soules] that is, seventy persons: some Greeke Copies have seventie five soules; other some, and (as Hierome witnesseth,) the lxxij. Interpreters translate here seventie; though elsewhere they have 75. which the Holy Ghost followeth in Act▪ 7. 14. See the annotations on Genes. 46. 27. 20. made thee] Hebr. put thee as the starres, that is, made thee innumerable; which was a sing… blessing remembred before in Deut. 1. 10. and … in Neh. 9. 23. and a fulfilling of the promise made unto Abraham, Gen. 22. 17. and againe …, Ge…. 20. 4. According to this similitude the Israelites are called the host of heaven, and …, Dan. 8. 10. 24. and in other visions, the … the Church is called Heaven Rev. 4. 2. …. 19. and …2. 1. 7. and the chiefe members of the same, Starres, Rev. 6. 13. and 8. 10. and …, 4.