Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 5 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
1 An exhortation to keepe and doe the Law for their owne good, 2 because of Gods former mercies in the wildernesse, 7 and future blessings in Canaan. 10 A warning lest fulnesse occasion them to forget God, and his former benefits: 17 and lest they presume of their own strength. 19 A protestation against them, that they shall perish, if they forget and forsake their God.
ALL the commandement which I command thee this day, ye shall observe to doe, that ye may live and multiply, & goe in, and possesse the land which Iehovah sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which Iehovah thy God led thee these forty yeeres in the wildernesse, for to humble thee, to tempt thee, to know what was in thine hart, whether thou wouldest keepe his commandements, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with Manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know: that the might make thee know, that man liveth not by bread onelyonly, but by every (word) that proceedeth out of the mouth of Iehovah doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, & thy foot swelled not these forty yeares. And thou shalt know with thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his sonne, Iehovah thy God chasteneth thee. And thou shalt keepe the commandements of Iehovah thy God; to walke in his waies, and to feare him. For, Iehovah thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brookes of waters, of fountaines, and of depths, that issue out in the vallie, and in the mountaine.
A land of wheat, and of barley, and of vi… and fig-trees, and pomegranats: a land of oile olive and honey. A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarcenesse, thou shalt not lacke any thing in it: a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose mountaines thou maiest hew brasse. And thou shalt eat and be full, & thou shalt blesse Iehovah thy God, for the good land which hee hath given thee. Take heed to thy selfe, left thou forget Iehovah thy God, in not keeping his commandements, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day. Lest thou eat, and bee full, and buildest good houses, and dwellest in them. And thy heards, and thy flockes multiply; and silver and gold bee multiplied to thee; and all that thou hast be multiplied. And thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget Iehovah thy God, which brought thee forth, out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of servants. Who led thee thorow that great and fearfull wildernesse, wherein were fierie serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water: who brought forth unto thee waters, out of the rocke of flint. Who fed thee with Manna in the wildernesse, wch thy fathers knew not, for to humble thee, and for to tempt thee, to doe thee good at thy latter end. And thou say in thy heart, my power, and the might of my hand hath gotten unto mee this wealth. But thou shalt remember Iehovah thy God, that it is hee that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant, which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall bee, if forgetting thou shalt forget Iehovah thy God, and shalt walke after other gods, and serve them, and bow thy selfe downe unto them; I testifie against you this day, that perishing yee shall perish. As the nations which Iehovah causeth to perish from your faces, so shall yee perish, because yee would not heare the voice of Iehovah your God.
Annotations.
COmmandement] that is, as the Greeke translateth, commandements. See Deut. 5. 31. and 6. …. observe to doe] or, keepe and doe, as the phrase sometime signifieth. See the notes on Gen. 2. 3. … may l…ve] that is, continue long in a prosperous life; for as sorrowes, plagues, miseries are called deaths, Exod. …0. …7. 2 Cor. 11. 23. so a quiet and blessed estate is called life; as, yeeres of life, Prov. 3. 2. meane many good yeeres: and in Psal. 30. 6. life is opposed unto a moment. possesse] or, inherit the land: under which, eternall life was figured, as is noted on Gen. 12. 5.
Vers. 2. all the way] that is, all the accidents that befell thee in the way; which were afflictiōs, wants, dangers on the one hand; and comforts, blessings, and deliverances on the other: by which, as by two walls, he kept Israel from going astray. Therfore this leading thorow the wildernesse is often mentioned by the Prophets; as Amos 2. 10. Psal. 136. 16. and 78. 52, 53. Ier. 2. 2. 6. to humble] or, to afflict; as the Greeke translateth, that hee might afflict thee, and tempt thee. So vers. 3. tempt] or, prove, to wit, their faith and obedience: see the notes on Gen. 22. … to know] that is, to have experiment in practise of that which was in them. The like is said of king Ezechias, whom God left, to tempt him, that he might know all that was in his heart, 2 Chron. 32. 31. But in respect of himselfe, God needeth not that any should testifie of man; for he knoweth what is in man, and what himselfe will doe, Ioh. 2. 25. and 6. 6. A faithfull heart loveth, serveth, and beleeveth in God, as well in adversitie, as prosperity, Matt. 4. 4. but an unfaithfull murmureth in afflictions, Psal. 78. 40, 41.
Vers. 3. humbled] or, afflicted, as vers. 2. So God afflicteth the strength of his people in the way, Psal. 102. 24. Hee suffered them to hunger, before he gave them Manna: so Gods people hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, and then he filleth them, Matt. 5. 6. Luk. 1. 53. Manna] Hebr. Man: of this meat, see the annotations on Exod. 16. 14, 15. &c. It was a figure of Christ, Ioh. 6. bread onelyonly] that is, ordinary food, such as men live by; whereof bread is the principall. This sentence Christ alledged against Satan, when hee tempted him to unlawfull meanes for satisfying his hunger, Matth. 4. 4. word that proceedeth] so the Greeke also translateth, adding this word, as the Apostle also doth, in Matt. 4. 4. But another Evangelist saith onelyonly, every word of God, Luk. 4. 4. The word of God is the ground of faith, Rom. 10. 17. which they that have abiding in them, shall surely bee fed in time of hunger, both soule and body, Psal. 37. 3. &c.
Vers. 4. not old] that is, was not worne out with age, … the Greeke explaineth it: so in Deut. 29. 5. Neh. …. …1. This was the second meanes of sustentation of life; which God also miraculously supplied unto them, that they might learne, not to seeke as the Gentiles; or take thought, what they should eat, or drinke, or wherewith they should be cloathed, M…t. …. 31, 32. swelled not] the Chaldee expoundeth it, thy shooes were not bare (or broken:) and so the Greeke in Neh. 9. 21. where this is againe mensioned: and Moses himselfe in Deut. 29. 5. In this sense it agreeth with the former. But it seemeth here to meane the feet properly, which swelled not, neither were surbated, though they travelled so long thorow that dry and …horny wildernesse: and so it meaneth health of body, which God also gave them, as the third blessing necessary for this present life. fortie yeeres] the time of their travell in the wildernesse: which number fortie, is often used for to denote the time of affliction and humiliation. See the notes on Gen. 7. 4.
Vers. 5. know with thine heart] that is, know and acknowledge heartily, upon thine owne feeling and experience. So Iosua said unto them, Yee know in all your heart, and in all your soule, Ios. 23. 14. chasteneth] or nurtureth, restraineth from the pleasures of the flesh. So other Scriptures speak of Gods chastisements, like a father, Prov. 3. 11, 12. Heb. 12. 5.—10. and, Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest … I…, Psal. 94. 12.
Vers. 6. his wayes] which he hath commanded to … in, that is, his Law, Exod. 18. 20. Psal. 25. 4. The Chaldee expoundeth it, the wayes that are right… before him. These are opposed to mens own …yes, Esai. 66. 3. and 55 8. 9. They comprehend faith, and other duties of the first Table, 1 King. 11. …. 38. Act. 18 25, 26. and 22. 4. and vertues of the second Table also, 2 Pet. 2. 15. See the notes on Gen. 6. 12. to feare him] this is the meanes to keepe men in Gods wayes, and is therefore set be…, … 2 Chron. 6. 31. Psal. 128. 1.
Vers. 7. good land] a fat and fertile soile: See … 1…. 20. brookes] or rivers: the Chaldee explaineth it, flowing with brookes. of foun…] or of springs: the Chaldee saith, welling out …aines and depths: the Greeke, and fountaines of …. By deepes are meant store of waters, as Gen. 1. …. and 7. 11. These brookes and springs figured … plentifull graces of Gods spirit, wherewith his Church is watered, Ioel 3. 18. Ezek. 47. 1. &c. Rev. … Psal. 65. 10. and 46. 5. vallie] put for vallies, and mountaines, as the Greeke and Chaldee translate. One is often used for many: See the notes on Gen. 3. 2. God sendeth the springs into the vallies, they run among the mountaines, they give drinke to e…y beast of the field, the wilde asses quench their …, Psal. 104. 10, 11.
Vers. 8. pomegranates] it signifieth both the fruit, Num. 13. 24. and the tree that beares them, Song 7. 1…. Agg. 2. 20. oile olive] Hebr. olive-tree of …, that is, as the Chaldee expounds it, olives that … oile. With the fatnesse of the olive, they honoured God and man, Iudg. 9. 9. These earthly fruits figured also the heavenly graces which the faithfull (warred with Gods word and spirit) are filled and comforted with, Psal. 81. 17. and 147. 14. Song 8. …. The trees that beare these fruits, figure ou… gracious men, from whose doctrine and conversation, heavenly comforts doe flow in the Church, Iudg. 9. 8.—13. Song 4. 13. and 6. 10. Hos. 10. 1. and 14. 7, 8. Psal. 1. 3. and 52. 10.
Vers. 9. eat bread] so having the fruition of Gods blessings therein, which sometime men have not, though the land be fruitfull, as Deut. 28. 30. 33. 39. 40. And for their sinnes it came to passe, that they did eat bread by weight, and with care, Ezek. 4. 16. brasse] these latter are for munition, and other uses, as the former were for food: so all good things are implyed. See also Deut. 33. 25. The mountaines as Gods store-houses were not onelyonly fruitfull on the upmost face of them, with corne and grasse, and trees of sundry sorts; but within their bowels (as it were) bred minerals and metals of great use for man. iron is taken out of the dust, and Brasse is molten out of the stone, Iob 28. 2.
Vers. 10. be full] or, satisfied; which is a blessing that God giveth to the righteous, Prov. 13. 25. Ps. 147. 14. the contrary, to the wicked, Mic. 6. 14. Hag. 1. 6. shalt blesse Iehovah] that is, shalt give him thankes; as where it is said, that Iesus tooke bread, and blessed, Mark. 14. 22. another Evangelist saith, he tooke bread, and gave thankes, Luke 22. 19. And as our Saviour teacheth us to blesse before we eat, Mat. 14. 19, 20. so this law chargeth us to blesse after we have eaten: and as for meat and drinke, so for other good things which we receive of God; as David saith, Blesse the LORD, O my soule, and forget not all his benefits, Psal. 103. 2. and the Apostle commandeth, In every thing give thankes, for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus concerning you, 1 Thes. 5. 18. The Hebrewes (from this Law of Moses) teach, that although it be here said, thou shalt eat, and be full; and thou shalt blesse, &c. yet if a man eat but a morsell (so much as an olive) he is to blesse after it. And he is bound to blesse for all meat first, and afterward to use it: likewise if he be to smell unto any sweet thing, hee is to blesse, and after to have the fruition of it: as also to blesse after whatsoever he eateth or drinketh, though he drinke but one little draught, or eat but a morsell. And as they were to blesse for the use of the creatures, so for every thing commanded in the Law, they were first to blesse, and then to doe the same. Women and servants were bound to blesse their meat, and little children also, that they might be trained up in the Commandements. Vncleane persons, whatsoever uncleannesse they had, might blesse notwithstanding. Maimony tom. 1. in treat. of Blessings, ch. 1. s. 1. &c. and chap. 5. sect. 1.
Vers. 11. lest thou forget Iehovah] or, that thou forget not Iehovah; which the Chaldee expoundeth, that thou forget not the feare of the LORD. God is forgotten, when his Commandements are neglected, Psal. 106. 19, 21. Ier. 2. 32. and he is remembred, when his precepts are remembred and done, Psal. 103. 18. Moses his next words shew this to be the meaning here. So God is forgotten, when his workes towards us are forgotten, as appeateth after, in vers. 14. 15. &c.
Vers. 124 good] that is, goodly faire, pleasant, commodious; see the notes on Gen. 1. 4.
Vers. 14. l…fted up] the Chaldee expounds it strengthned, (or hardned:) meaning with pride, as is said of Nebuchadnezar, Dan. 5. 20. and so lifting up of the heart meaneth, as Deut. 17. 20. Ier. 48. 29. Dan. 11. 12. which is the way for men to forget God, as is written, They were filled, and their heart was lifted up. therefore have they forgetten …e, Hos. 13. 6. servants] in Greeke and Chaldee, servitude (or bondage.)
Vers. 15. …ed thee,] or, made thee goe, to wit, safely that thou shouldst not stumble, as Esa. 63. 13. This grace David remembreth, in Psal. 136. 16. Which led his people thorow the wildernesse, &c. This was by a pillar of a cloud by day, and by a pillar of fire by night, Exod. 13. 21. fearefull] for it was a land of desarts and of pits, a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, a land that no man passed thorow, & where no man dwelt, Ier. 2. 6. fiery serpents] or, serpent, burning serpent and scorpian; the Greeke translateth, where was the biting serpent and scorpion: the Chaldee saith, a place of barning. serpents and scorpions. See Num. 21. 6. &c. …. scorpions] Hebr. scorpion, one for many, as is noted on Gev. 3. 2. Scorpions are venemous creatures, which hurt and sting with their tailes: wicked men are likened unto such, Ezek. 2. 6. Rev. 9. 3. 5. 10. as also unto Serpents. Matth. 23. 33. drought] or thirst; meaning a land of thirst, as is expressed in Esa, 35. 7. and so the Chaldee here translateth, a place of drinesse. rocke of flint] that is, hard and dry rocke, from whence God gave them water twise, Exod. 17. and Num. 20. Of this mercy David sung, that God turneth the rocke to a lake of watens; the flint to a fountaine of waters, Psal. 114. 8. After Moses speaketh figuratively, of oile out of the flints rocke, Deut. 32. 13.
Vers. 16. Mavna] where of see before, vers. 3. and Exod. 16. thy latter end] for though no chastening for the present, seemeth to be joyous but grievoin, yet afterward it yeeldith the peaceable fruit of righte on snesse, unto them which are exercised shereby, Hebr. 12. 11.
Vers. 17. And thou say] understand from vers. 12. lest thou say, that is, as the Greeke translateth, and say not. gotten] Hebr. made, that is, as the Chaldee expoundeth it, gotten: So in vers. 18. wealth] or power, meaning wealth or goods, as the Chaldee hath it.
Vers. 18. that it is he] or, for it is he. Riches and wealth in the land of Canaan, (figuring spirituall riches in Christ,) were the speciall gift of God, for The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, Prov. 10 22. but Israel forgat this, as God saith, For she did not know, that I gave her corne, and wine, and oile, and multiplied her silver and gold, Hos. 2. 8.
Vers. 19. other gods] the idols of the people, saith the Chaldee paraphrast. These words shew what the forgetting of God meaneth: so Psal. 106. 19, 21. Itestifie] the Greeke addeth, I take heaven and …th to witnesse against you. So Moses him-selfe elsewhere speaketh in Deut. 30. 19. parishing ye shall perish] that is, ye shall assuredly and speedily perish, not with standing your wealth and prosperity; as it is said, Neither their silver, nor their gold, shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORDS wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealiousie, Zeph. 1. 18.
Vers. 20. not heare] that is, not obey the voice, which the Chaldee explaineth, not receive the word of the LORD.