Westminster Annotations, Deuteronomy · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
Vers. 1. THis day] Is not precisely to be taken for one of the three hundred sixtie five dayes in the yeare, but for a short time neere at hand, within this two moneths: for Moses said this the first day of the eleventh monethmonth, Chap. 1. 3. and the people passed over Jordan the tenth day of the first monethmonth, Josh. 4. 19.
possesse nations] So, as not onelyonly to have their land for thine habitation, but their persons at thy disposall, either for slaughter or service; Levit. 25. 45. 46.
up to heaven] He speaketh according to the report of the Spies, Chap. 1. vers. 28. See Annot. on Gen. 11. 4.
V. 2. heard say] By the report of the Spies, Numb. 13. 28. 33.
V. 3. consuming fire] His burning indignation will not be quenched untill thine enemies be consumed: the heat thereof made their hearts to melt afarre off, Josh. 5. 1. & Chap. 7. 5.
so shalt thou drive] That is, Gods justice having doomed them to destruction, he will give you the power to doe execution upon them; yet divers of them were destroyed by hornets, Chap. 7. vers. 20. without their pursuit, or slaughter.
V. 4. * in thine heart] * Psal. 14 1.
* my righteousnesse] * Vers. 5. & 6. Ezek. 36. 22.
V. 5. for the wickednesse of these nations] Gen. 15. 16. 1 Tim. 1. 9. Levit. 18. 25.
performe the word, &c.] Gen. 122. 7. & 13. 15. & 15. 7. & 17. 8. & 26. 4. & 28. 13.
V. 6. stiffe-necked] Exod. 32. 9. & see Annot. on Exod. 33. 3. & on 34. 9.
V. 8. in Horeb] By Idolatry to the golden Calfe, Exod. 32. 4. Psal. 106. 19.
V. 9. neither eat bread] Moses the chiefe Minister of the Law fasted fourtie dayes and fourtie nights, at the publication of it; Exod. 24. 10. so did Christ before his publication of the Gospel, Matt. 4. 2. and Elijah that famous Prophet betwixt them both, 1 King. 19. 8.
V. 10. * finger of God] That is, miraculously, and not by the hand of man. * Exod. 8. 19. Luk. 11. 20.
V. 12. quickly] * Vers. 16. & Judg. 2. 17.
V. 13. stiffe-necked] * Vers. 6. & Chap. 10. 16. & 31. 27. 2 King. 17. 14.
V. 14. let me alone] Signifying that the prayers of the faithfull are a barre to stay Gods ang…r, that he consume not all. See Annot. on Exod. 32. 10.
V. 16. * I looked] * Exod. 32. 9.
V. 17. and brake them] See Annot. on Exod. 32. 19.
V. 18. fourtie dayes and fourtie] Some hence collect that Moses fasted fourtie dayes and fourtie nights, now the second time by occasion of the sinne about the golden Calfe, and some hold a third time, vers. 25. but for twice it is probable, though not certaine, and for the third time it is neither certaine nor probable. See Annot. on Exod. 34. 28. & on vers. 25. of this Chap. Psal. 106. 23.
V. 20. to have destroyed him] Whereby he sheweth what danger they are in that have Authoritie and resist not wickednesse. See 1 Sam. 3. 13.
V. 21. your sinne] That is, the object of your sinne, on which you set your idolatrous conceits, and to which you directed your idolatry, Exod. 32. 20.
into the brook] See Exod. 32. 20.
out of the mount] That is, Horeb, or Sinai.
V. 23. then you rebelled] At the returne of the spies, Num. 13. 31. & 14. 1.
V. 25. As I fell down at the first] These words import onelyonly a repetition of a thing that was formerly done, as if it were, as I said before; for he was three severall times on the Mount in the space of fourty daies; once at the receiving of the Law, Exod. 24. 18. after that when he interceded for the people upon their sinne committed in worshipping the golden Calfe, Exod. 32. 30. 31. And thirdly, when he received the new Tables, Exod. 34. 28. of which some conceive that Moses so many times fasted fourtie dayes and fourtie nights; which is not likely: for they that make that allowance of time for fasting and absence from the people, allow too little time [not full three dayes] for many businesses with the people. Besides; if from the severall mentions they will inferre so many fourtie daies fast, they may say it was foure times as well as three; for the like mention is made againe, Chap. 10. vers. 10. Thirdly, two of these times belong to the same action, which is for reconciliation after the sinne touching the golden Calfe: which obtained by once fasting fourtie daies, what need was there to doe the like againe?
V. 26. * destroy not, &c.] Exod. 32. 11.
V. 27. Remember thy servants] By the authoritie of Gods promise, and sinceritie of those to whom he promised, he strengtheneth his hope of obtainement of mercy notwithstanding their transgressions.
V. 28. * was not able, &c.] * Exod. 32. 12. Num. 14. 16.
V. 29. Yet they are thy people] Notwithstanding their grosse Idolatry, their manifold murmurings, and other rebellions he hath not yet given them a bill of divorce, they are yet the people of his Covenant, and his visible Church upon earth, Chap. 28. 9. Psal. 95. 7. & 100. 3. Jer. 14. 9.