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Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Moses here concludes with a very bright light, and a very strong fire, that, if possible, what he had been preaching of might find entrance into the understanding and affections of this unthinking people. What could be…
Solemn Warnings; Joshua Encouraged. (b. c. 1451.)
SOLEMN WARNINGS; JOSHUA ENCOURAGED. (B. C. 1451.) Loth to part (we say) bids oft farewell. Moses does so to the children of Israel: not because he was loth to go to God, but because he was loth to leave them, fearing th…
The Reading of the Law. (b. c. 1451.)
THE READING OF THE LAW. (B. C. 1451.) The law was given by Moses; so it is said, John 1:17. He was not only entrusted to deliver it to that generation, but to transmit it to the generations to come; and here it appears…
Apostasy Foretold. (b. c. 1451.)
APOSTASY FORETOLD. (B. C. 1451.) Here, I. Moses and Joshua are summoned to attend the divine majesty at the door of the tabernacle, Deuteronomy 31:14. Moses is told again that he must shortly die; even those that are mo…
The Song of Moses. (b. c. 1451.)
THE SONG OF MOSES. (B. C. 1451.) Here, I. The charge is given to Joshua, which God has said (Deuteronomy 31:14) he would give him. The same in effect that Moses had given him. The same in effect that Moses had given him…
The Song of Moses. (b. c. 1451.)
THE SONG OF MOSES. (B. C. 1451.) Here is, I. A commanding preface or introduction to this song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32:1-2. He begins, 1. With a solemn appeal to heaven and earth concerning the truth and importance of…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:7-14
Moses, having in general represented God to them as their great benefactor, whom they were bound in gratitude to observe and obey, in these verses gives particular instances of God's kindness to them and concern for the…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:15-18
We have here a description of the apostasy of Israel from God, which would shortly come to pass, and to which already they had a disposition. One would have thought that a people under so many obligations to their God,…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:19-25
The method of this song follows the method of the predictions in the foregoing chapter, and therefore, after the revolt of Israel from God, described in the Deuteronomy 32:15-16, here follow immediately the resolves of…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:26-38
After many terrible threatenings of deserved wrath and vengeance, we have here surprising intimations of mercy, undeserved mercy, which rejoices against judgment, and by which it appears that God has no pleasure in the…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:39-43
This conclusion of the song speaks three things: I. Glory to God, Deuteronomy 32:39. "See now upon the whole matter, that I, even I, am he. Learn this from the destruction of idolaters, and the inability of their idols…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:44-52
Here is, I. The solemn delivery of this song to the children of Israel, Deuteronomy 32:44-45. Moses spoke it to as many as could hear him, while Joshua, in another assembly, at the same time, delivered it to as many as…
Moses's Blessing on Israel. (b. c. 1451.)
MOSES'S BLESSING ON ISRAEL. (B. C. 1451.) The Deuteronomy 33:1 is the title of the chapter: it is a blessing. In the foregoing chapter he had thundered out the terrors of the Lord against Israel for their sin; it was a…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 33:6-7
Here is, I. The blessing of Reuben. Though Reuben had lost the honour of his birthright, yet Moses begins with him; for we should not insult over those that are disgraced, nor desire to perpetuate marks of infamy upon a…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 33:8-11
In blessing the tribe of Levi, Moses expresses himself more at large, not so much because it was his own tribe (for he takes no notice of his relation to it) as because it was God's tribe. The blessing of Levi has refer…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 33:12-17
Here is, I. The blessing of Benjamin, Deuteronomy 33:12. Benjamin is put next to Levi, because the temple, where the priests' work lay, was just upon the edge of the lot of this tribe; and it is put before Joseph becaus…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 33:18-21
Here we have, I. The blessings of Zebulun and Issachar put together, for they were both the sons of Jacob by Leah, and by their lot in Canaan they were neighbours; it is foretold, 1. That they should both have a comfort…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 33:22-25
Here is, I. The blessing of Dan, Deuteronomy 33:22. Jacob in his blessing had compared him to a serpent for subtlety; Moses compares him to a lion for courage and resolution: and what could stand before those that had t…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 33:26-29
These are the last words of all that ever Moses, that great writer, that great dictator, either wrote himself or had written from his dictation; they are therefore very remarkable, and no doubt we shall find them very i…
Moses on Mount Pisgah. (b. c. 1451.)
MOSES ON MOUNT PISGAH. (B. C. 1451.) Here is, I. Moses climbing upwards towards heaven, as high as the top of Pisgah, there to die; for that was the place appointed, Deuteronomy 32:49-50. Israel lay encamped upon the fl…
The Death of Moses. (b. c. 1451.)
THE DEATH OF MOSES. (B. C. 1451.) Here is, I. The death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5): Moses the servant of the Lord died. God told him he must not go over Jordan, and, though at first he prayed earnestly for the reversin…
The Character of Moses. (b. c. 1451.)
THE CHARACTER OF MOSES. (B. C. 1451.) We have here a very honourable encomium passed both on Moses and Joshua; each has his praise, and should have. It is ungrateful so to magnify our living friends as to forget the mer…
Joshua Directed and Encouraged. (b. c. 1451.)
JOSHUA DIRECTED AND ENCOURAGED. (B. C. 1451.) Honour is here put upon Joshua, and great power lodged in his hand, by him that is the fountain of honour and power, and by whom kings reign. Instructions are given him by I…
Joshua's Address to the Reubenites. (b. c. 1451.)
JOSHUA'S ADDRESS TO THE REUBENITES. (B. C. 1451.) Joshua, being settled in the government, immediately applies himself to business; not to take state or to take his pleasure, but to further the work of God among, the pe…