Deuteronomy
General
The book of Deuteronomy may in a
general sense be said to be the dying message of Moses to Israel. It is
supposed to have been uttered within a few days of his death. (Outline of the
book follows.) R5334:4, R5528:1
Deuteronomy is the title of one of the most important books of the
Bible. From it evidently David and the other prophets of the Old Testament drew
considerable of their inspiration and from it our Lord and the apostles freely quoted.
It may be said to be a grand summary of the whole law of God. It presents to us
a number of the orations of that great man of God and leader of Israel--the
Mediator of the Law covenant. Its preparation may have been a gradual work on
the part of Moses but its delivery was apparently reserved until shortly before
his death, about the time the Israelites were ready to pass over Jordan under
the leadership of Joshua to take possession of the land. The grandeur of its
language is freely conceded by all. The evident object of the book was to impress
upon the Israelites the glorious lessons of their past, to inspire them with
reverence for Jehovah and thus to be to that people the voice of Moses and the
voice of the Lord through Moses encouraging and admonishing them and, through
them, future generations. R4050:3
Not only did these orations of Deuteronomy have a valuable influence
upon the Israelites at the important juncture of their passing from the
guidance of an old leader to that of a younger one and into a new land, but
Scriptural history tells us that six hundred years afterward the finding of the
book of Deuteronomy and the reading of it first in the ears of King Josiah and
afterward in the hearing of all the people awakened one of the greatest
revivals in the history of that nation. R4051:1
Israel's organization now was a
combination of political and military under judges and officers over thousands,
hundreds, fifties, tens. R4037:2
Deuteronomy 1
Deuteronomy 1:1
Which Moses spake -- The dying message of Moses to Israel supposed to have
been uttered within a few days of his death. R5334:4, R5528:1
To impress upon the Israelites the
glorious lessons of their past and to inspire them with reverence for Jehovah.
R4050:3
Unto all Israel -- Not only a valuable lesson upon Israel then, but 600
years later awakened a great revival in that nation. (2 Kings 22:8-20). R4051:1
Deuteronomy 1:5
Saying -- The beginning of the first of four addresses given a few
days before his death. R5334:4
Deuteronomy 1:15
Wise men, and known -- Men of influence; thus Moses was not seeking his own
aggrandizement. A47; HG534:1
Deuteronomy 1:16
The stranger -- Foreigner. HG534:5
Deuteronomy 1:17
Too hard for you -- And you, yourselves, shall be judges as to whether it is
too hard or not. A48
Bring it unto me -- They themselves were the judges as to what cases went
before Moses. HG534:3
And I will hear it -- After Moses' death such questions were brought directly
to the Lord through the High Priest, the answer being Yes or No by the Urim and
Thummim. A49; HG534:6
Deuteronomy 1:19
Terrible wilderness -- The desert of Paran which the Israelites traversed
hither and thither in their wanderings of forty years. R4037:3
Deuteronomy 1:38
But Joshua -- Type of Christ. A79
Deuteronomy 2
Deuteronomy 2:7
These forty years -- As Israel, because of lack of faith, had its wilderness
journey of forty years; so, on account of lack of faith at our Lord's first
advent, they were made to wander during the past nineteen centuries. R3079:3
Deuteronomy 2:14
38 years -- Thirty-eight and a large fraction of a year. HG44:4
Deuteronomy 2:25
Upon the nations -- Egypt was unquestionably the principal nation of that
time and the king of Egypt freely conceded that the Israelites were "more
and (physically) mightier" than the Egyptians. (Exod. 1:9) HG362:6
Deuteronomy 3
Deuteronomy 3:28
But charge Joshua -- Type of Christ. A79
Deuteronomy 4
Deuteronomy 4:6
Sight of the nations -- God's law was more or less known, through the Jews, to
other peoples. R5521:6
Deuteronomy 4:7
What nation is there -- They were made to differ from other men by reason of
God's dealings with them and his promises to them. SM380:1
Deuteronomy 4:10
Learn to fear me -- So, during the time of trouble mankind will learn a
lesson never to be forgotten. R153:4
Deuteronomy 4:13
His covenant -- The Jew is bound by the Law so long as he lives. (Rom.
7:1) R5163:1
Ten commandments -- The foundation of the Law covenant. R1733:5, R1724:6
Deuteronomy 4:24
A consuming fire -- God's love, no less than his justice, burns against all
sin; he cannot look upon sin (Heb. 12:29); "It is a fearful thing to fall
into the hands of the living God." (Heb. 10:31) F120
God is so opposed to everything
that is impure that it will be destroyed sooner or later. R5266:6
Deuteronomy 4:31
Covenant of thy fathers -- The Abrahamic covenant, of which the Gospel Church, as
the spiritual seed of Abraham, are the chief inheritors. (Rom. 9:8; Gal. 3:29)
R1850:2
Deuteronomy 4:32
As this great thing -- Those wonders on behalf of fleshly Israel are eclipsed
by greater wonders on behalf of spiritual Israel. R1850:3
Deuteronomy 4:33
Midst of the fire -- Out of the glorious manifestations of his adorable
presence with the Church. R1850:3
Deuteronomy 4:34
Before your eyes -- In their emancipation from the bondage of sin and their
leading through all the wilderness way, beset by foes without and within, hotly
pursued by Satan, tempted, tried and persecuted, what a miracle of grace is
every child of God. R1850:4
Deuteronomy 5
Deuteronomy 5:1
O Israel -- The Ten Commandments were given to Israel alone. R971:4
Deuteronomy 5:2
Made a covenant -- The Ten Commandments are the "covenant" of the
Law. R542:3
The Ten Commandments alone are
declared to be the covenant; the ordinances merely went with them. R974:2
With us -- The Law covenant was made with the people of Israel, not
with Moses. Moses was the Mediator. R4999:3, R4370:5
God dealt only with one man,
Moses, in the making of the Law covenant. He stood in the position of a father
to the nation, the nation being regarded as children under age. R5046:4
The Jews eagerly accepted the
arrangement but, being imperfect, they could not keep this perfect law. PD35/46
Deuteronomy 5:3
With our fathers -- Not with any one else previously. F356
But with us -- The blessings of that covenant and its promises were
only to the one nation; so also its curses. R1725:1, R5046:1
Deuteronomy 5:4
Talked with you -- Not through the intervention of priests. A54
Deuteronomy 5:5
I stood between -- Proving that the Law was conditional. R4370:5
It was the Law of God because it
came from him; and it is the Law of Moses in that it came through him. HG583:6*
Moses was the Mediator of the Law
covenant. As Mediator he stood between the two parties, God and Israel. On the
one hand he represented God, and on the other, Israel. R4681:3, R2858:3,
R5000:1; Q185:2
So the antitypical Moses, the
Christ (Head and Body), as Mediator, will stand between God and the world and
will for a thousand years shield the people from the requirements of absolute
justice. R4646:1, R5000:1
The title of Mediator applied to
Moses only while the covenant was being made. In future renewals, Aaron represents
the Mediator in his sacrificing and subsequent blessing the people, while Moses
represents the Law. R4570:3*
Not only to satisfy the claims of
justice but to instruct, correct and restore as many of the fallen race as so
desire. E18
Into the mount -- Type of the Kingdom of God. R4037:5
Deuteronomy 5:7
Thou shalt have -- The Decalogue is a synopsis of the whole Law. A45
Neither the angelic sons nor the
New Creation are under the Law, nor do they need it. F365; R4014:2
The wonderful Law of God,
represented by the Ten Commandments, has a depth of meaning not seen on the surface,
and was apparently seen by none until Jesus "magnified the law and made it
honorable." (Isa. 42:21) R5286:2
None other gods -- Mighty ones, my equals. E40
God properly puts himself first;
the true God shall have first place in the human heart. R4014:3, R5286:3
Deuteronomy 5:8
Any graven image -- With spiritual Israel this goes so far as to include
father, mother, self, wealth, ambition; anything that would prevent the Lord
from having the first place. R3038:2, R4014:4, R5071:5
Waters beneath -- The waters are below, beneath, the level of the
"dry land," called the earth. R1813:1
Deuteronomy 5:9
Bow down thyself -- Shaw-kaw, worship. E73
Unto them -- To images or to rival gods. E73
Am a jealous God -- Wanting all the affections, confidence and trust of my
creatures, for their own good. R3038:3, R4789:2
God's jealousy is just and is sure
to bring to the sinner a just punishment. R4789:2
The impropriety of jealousy is
when it leads to bitterness and other like qualities to which the fallen human
mind is subject. R4789:2
Upon the children -- By the law of nature under which, in wisdom, God has
placed humanity. R3038:3
The tendency of sin is to break
down the moral character and to impair the physical system. R2668:2
Suffering for the fathers' sins.
R527:6*
Unto the third -- Darwin considered that species had been and were being
built up by the process of natural selection, but no species is being built up,
and deviations from the prototype are corrected in the course of three
generations. R4859:6*
Deuteronomy 5:11
Taketh his name -- The only ones who may properly take Christ's name are
those who really become his disciples. R5404:6
As a child adopted into a family
takes the name of the family, so we have taken upon ourselves the name of the
sons of God. R4014:5
To take the name of God without
careful effort to represent him is a sin against God. R1527:6
So the Jews, going to the extreme,
avoid the covenant name of God-Jehovah. R3038:6
In vain -- Lightly, frivolously, or in any other than a sacred and
reverential manner. R3038:5, R1527:3
"Thou desirest truth in the
inward parts." (Psa. 51:6) R1527:3
"Let every one that nameth
the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Tim. 2:19) R1527:3
Deuteronomy 5:12
The sabbath day -- Type of the Millennial age. B40; R5071:6; Q607:4
Typifying the rest which spiritual
Israelites now enter by faith in Christ. R4015:1, R5071:6, R5360:1
Sanctify it -- Observance as a day of rest, and no more. R4995:3
Deuteronomy 5:14
But the seventh day -- Not the first day; if this commandment is binding at
all, it is binding as stated and cannot be changed. R1727:2
Not do any work -- It prohibits all kinds of work, secular or religious.
R1727:1
"We which believe do enter
into rest." (Heb. 4:3) R3753:4
Deuteronomy 5:15
Keep the sabbath day -- This was something new to the Israelites, not previously
known among them or their fathers. R1731:3
The Jewish Sabbath and its system
of sabbaths are types of the greater Sabbath-the heavenly. Q759:3
Deuteronomy 5:16
Honour thy father -- To the spiritual Israelite this would mean our Father in
heaven. R4019:3
If our forefathers were monkeys,
as so many now teach, why should we have much honor or respect for them? R4019:3
Quoted by Jesus in Mark 7:10 and
attributed to Moses. HG583:6*
And thy mother -- To the spiritual Israelites this would mean God's
original covenant with Abraham, typified by Sarah. R4019:5
In the land -- The fact that the Jews did not dwell long in the land
given them is evidence that they did not keep this commandment properly. R3044:6
Deuteronomy 5:17
Thou shaft not kill -- Hatred of a brother is the spirit of murder. R3045:1,
R4019:6, R5286:3
We should not even kill animals
wantonly. R3045:1, R4019:5, R5287:6
Deuteronomy 5:18
Commit adultery -- Not even "in the heart." (Matt. 5:28) R4020:4,
R5286:3
The Church is to be
uncontaminated, unadulterated, separate from the world. R3045:3
Deuteronomy 5:19
Neither shalt thou steal -- By any method deprive another of that which is properly
his. R4020:5
Making false returns to tax
assessors, attempting to smuggle without payment of customs duty, failure to
give agreed-upon services for wages, are stealing. R5288:1
The worst form of stealing is the
filching of another's good name. "Speak evil of no man. (Titus 3:2)
R5288:1,4
Deuteronomy 5:20
Bear false witness -- By a nod of the head, a shrug of the shoulders, or by
silence. R3045:5
Deuteronomy 5:21
Desire ... covet -- Wish to appropriate for yourself. R4021:4
"Godliness with contentment
(absence of covetousness) is great gain." (1 Tim. 6:6) R3046:1
Covetousness caused Satan's fall.
R3046:1
Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 6:1
And the judgments -- Decisions as to right and wrong. R4051:1
To teach you -- "They are written for our admonition upon whom the
ends of the world (the present evil world) are come." (1 Cor. 10:11)--the
very object of their record. R1850:2
Deuteronomy 6:2
Fear the LORD -- Perfect love casteth out slavish, but not reverential
fear. R2986:6, R4051:2
Deuteronomy 6:3
May be well -- The promises to fleshly Israel were earthly promises.
R4051:3
Deuteronomy 6:4
The LORD -- Jehovah, not a general name but a proper name, the
distinctive personal name of the Almighty Father. Like other proper names, it
should not be translated. R1410:6
Our God -- The word "god" signifies mighty one, but not always
the All-Mighty One. R1410:2
Is one LORD -- There is but one God, and he has not three names, but
one--Jehovah. R4051:5; E41; CR289:3
Our Roman Catholic friends make
many gods--the Father, Son, holy Spirit, Mary, and all the apostles and saints;
and the Protestants, contrary to Scripture, declare we have three Gods in one
or one God in three persons. R4051:4
The Jew rejects the doctrine of
the Trinity as an absurdity. OV113:3
Jehovah, self-centered and
self-contained, changes not. SM483:4
Scientifically proved by the unity
of material, force, government and moral law throughout the universe. R3861:2*
Deuteronomy 6:5
Thou shalt love -- Not dread, fear or tremble. R5521:3
"Love is the fulfilling of
the law." (Rom. 13:10) A246
Failure to love God and neighbor
results in the time of trouble as a natural consequence. A309
The spiritual Israelite is obliged
to live up to everything in the spirit that the Jew was commanded to do in the
flesh. Q449:3
Love leads us to do all things in
his Word. R5359:6
A law based upon justice. R5072:2
The law the whole world will be
under during the Millennial age. Q172:T
The spirit of the Decalogue is
today recognized as the very best statement of human obligation. OV10:1; SM380:T
The LORD -- Jehovah. E41
With all thine heart -- Not a mere passing sentiment of appreciation; it is
all-absorbing love that God desires. R1850:4
Some might love and yet work ill,
with best intentions; but perfect love worketh no ill. R4850:1
Such love does not wait for
commands, but appeals for service. F124
Deuteronomy 6:7
Teach them diligently -- Cultivate this love by meditating upon his just and holy
law and upon his precepts and instructions, and by teaching them diligently.
R1850:4
When thou risest up -- A heart thus filled with love for God would have no time
for sin or frivolity and would indeed be that of a saint. R4052:3
Deuteronomy 6:8
Upon thine hand -- Let the divine law affect every affair of your life.
R4053:2
Between thine eyes -- The memory, stored with words of revelation, is a ready
weapon of defense against every attack of the Adversary. R2038:6
Misunderstanding the spirit of
this exhortation, many Jews, even to this day, bind upon forehead and arm
cubical leather boxes, phylacteries, containing Scriptural passages. R4053:1
Deuteronomy 6:9
Posts of thy house -- Many Jews do this literally, but Moses' thought was that
everything pertaining to the family of God is sacred to him and under his
blessing. R4053:4
And on thy gates -- The Christian who abandons the daily reading of the Word
and meditation upon it is not a growing Christian. R1850:5
Deuteronomy 6:12
Lest thou forget -- The light, misused, may turn to darkness; and then,
"how great is that darkness." (Matt. 6:23) R1850:5
Deuteronomy 6:15
And destroy thee -- The application to reprobates of spiritual Israel
corresponds to the faithful warnings of the Apostle Paul in Heb. 6:4-8 and Heb.
10:26-31. R1850:6
Deuteronomy 6:16
Ye shall not tempt -- With unreasonable and unnecessary requests for temporal
favors or protection against legitimate results of presumptuous experiments.
R1688:5
Deuteronomy 7
Deuteronomy 7:1
Cast out many nations -- No injustice was done to the Canaanites by the Lord's
decree. R3085:3
In type the Canaanites or Amorites
represented the weaknesses and imperfections of the fallen nature--sin. R3085:2
Greater and mightier -- This must mean that combinedly they were greater and
mightier, or else it signified that these people were larger-bodied giants, in
accord with the report of the spies. HG362:6
Certainly the entire seven nations
of that time could not have numbered much over a million souls, else how could
that little land have supported them? HG362:6
Deuteronomy 7:2
Shalt smite them -- Representing the weaknesses of our human nature against
which we are to battle and overcome. Q48:T
Make no covenant -- Hence the Jews were right in not acknowledging the
Samaritans, having no religious dealings with them, nor intermarrying with
them. R2574:2
Deuteronomy 7:6
A special people -- For 2081 years-from the Abrahamic covenant to the call
of Cornelius. R3459:6*
Deuteronomy 7:8
Unto your fathers -- Because of Abraham's great faith in him, the Lord
promised to make of his seed a peculiar people. R5490:2
Deuteronomy 7:11
Thou shalt therefore keep -- Although all of the sons of Jacob were called or
invited, it was a conditional call. R4781:3
Deuteronomy 7:18
Well remember -- So must the Christian continually call to mind the
Lord's leadings, care and deliverance in his individual experiences. R2031:6
Deuteronomy 8
Deuteronomy 8:2
Thou shalt remember -- Moses exhorted the people to fear and love the Lord.
R5296:1
God led thee -- While in the wilderness they had learned to depend on
the Lord. R5296:1
These forty years -- Israel, because of lack of faith, had its wilderness
journey of forty years. So, on account of lack of faith at our Lord's first
advent, they were to wander during the past nineteen centuries. R3079:3
To prove thee -- To test you. R5395:5
Deuteronomy 8:3
Fed thee with manna -- Representing the living Bread supplied to the world by
God through Christ. T122
But by every word -- Not just the ceremonies and justice of the Law, but
mercy, peace, love, reconciliation and adoption into God's family. R3080:3
The type could sustain natural
life for a brief season, but the real Bread sustains spiritual life forever.
R38:3, 5*
Deuteronomy 8:5
God chasteneth thee -- God's chastenings have kept spiritual Israel's feet from
wandering. R5527:6
Deuteronomy 8:7
Into a good land -- What a wonderful application can spiritual Israel make
of this scripture-we are even now in this antitypical land. R5527:6
Deuteronomy 8:19
Surely perish -- As the rich man died and was tormented in the flames of
persecution. (Luke 16:24) R802:3*
Deuteronomy 9
Deuteronomy 9:1
Pass over Jordan -- The crossing of Jordan under the leadership of Joshua
represents God's people passing from death unto life through faith in the blood
of Jesus. PD37/48
Deuteronomy 9:4
Hath cast them out -- They had been already sentenced by God to destruction
before the conquest by Joshua. (Gen. 15:16) R2485:1
For the wickedness -- Like the Sodomites, they had gone as far in their
wickedness as divine wisdom saw best to permit. R5296:2
Deuteronomy 9:9
Tables of the covenant -- The Ten Commandments were the basis of the Law covenant.
R1724:6
Deuteronomy 9:10
The finger of God -- Moses thus attributes the origin of the Mosaic Law to
God, not to himself. A53
Deuteronomy 9:17
And brake them -- Representing the failure of the Law covenant by reason
of the "weakness of the flesh." D631; R2196:4
Indicating that the covenant was
broken. R5298:2
The first tables, prepared by the
Lord himself, represents how man in his creation was a perfect image of his
Creator. R5298:6, R2196:4
Deuteronomy
10
Deuteronomy 10:1
Hew thee two tables -- Representing that The Christ of glory will prepare the
hearts of mankind for the re-writing of the divine law. R5299:1
Deuteronomy 10:5
I turned myself -- Here Moses typified the entire Church, of which our Lord
is the Head. B134; D630; R5035:4
Put the tables -- Representing the New covenant, of which Christ is the
Mediator. D631
In the ark -- It represented the eternal purpose of God, his foreordained
arrangement of riches of grace for mankind in The Christ (Head and Body). T121
Deuteronomy 10:8
The tribe of Levi -- Typifying the household of faith. T26; F459
Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise . . . your heart -- Signifies a cutting off, a separation from the flesh,
its aims, hopes and desires. R3022:3
A type of which circumcision they
already had in the flesh. (Rom. 11:25-30) R3071:2
Deuteronomy 10:17
God of gods -- Elohim--a mighty or great one, used in referring to
Jehovah the Almighty God, as well as to other gods. R1410:3; E66
Deuteronomy 10:20
Thou shalt fear -- Thou shalt reverence. E74
Deuteronomy 10:22
Persons -- Nephesh--souls, sentient beings. E334
Deuteronomy
11
Deuteronomy 11:2
Know ye this day -- A similar use of language to that employed by Jesus in
his answer to the dying thief. (Luke 23:43) HG130:3
Deuteronomy 11:3
In the midst of Egypt -- The dominion of sin and death. R5643:1, R5273:1; F458
Unto Pharaoh -- Type of Satan. R5273:2, R5419:5, F458
Deuteronomy 11:4
The army of Egypt -- Type of the opponents of God's people. F458; R5273:2,
R5641:3
Their horses -- Symbolic of false doctrines. C316
Their chariots -- Symbolic of worldly organizations. C316
Of the Red Sea -- Representing the Second Death. F459
Deuteronomy 11:28
A curse -- But it could not come without God's permission. R1780:2,
R1271:5
Deuteronomy
12
Deuteronomy 12:11
There shall be a place -- Only one spot on earth where atoning blood could be
shed. R3454:5*
Deuteronomy 12:13
In every place -- This prohibition not applicable in Solomon's time. (1
Kings 3:3) R2045:5
Deuteronomy 12:19
Forsake not the Levite -- The tithe, though a just debt, was not enforced as a tax
but was to be paid as a voluntary contribution. HG535:6; A52
Deuteronomy 12:23
Eat not the blood -- Forbidden even before the Law. (Gen. 9:4) R1473:1
The blood is the life -- Represents the life. E325
Deuteronomy 12:31
Daughters they have burnt -- Thus Jephthah vowed not to sacrifice his daughter, but
to devote her to perpetual virginity. R2897:3, 5
Deuteronomy
13
Deuteronomy 13:3
God proveth you -- The word prove has the sense of test. The words were
addressed to Israel, who had entered into a covenant to obey all God's
requirements, so it was proper that the Lord should prove them. This proving
would be accomplished by permitting false prophets to be amongst them. God did
not prove the heathen nations, for they had no covenant with him. R5799:3,
R5527:3
Satan's opposition to the Church
is permitted as a trial of faith and of patient endurance. It tests their
loyalty to God, to the truth and to the brethren and becomes a test of
brotherly love, thus doing a sifting or separating work. R5147:6, R5320:6, R4445:5,
R4462:2, R4479:3, R4910:3
"Blessed is the man that
endureth (faithfully under) temptation; for after his trials he will receive
the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
(Jas. 1:12) R2258:3
Class troubles amongst the
brethren are means which the Lord permits to test and to demonstrate the
character of his people. R5948:1
To see how we learn the lessons of
binding up the broken hearts. SM267, SM268
When trying experiences came to
him the Lord considered them as being under the supervision of the Father. So
it is with us: if the Father permits trying experiences for our testing, it is
for us to rejoice. R4802:3, R2258:3
The Lord is surely judging the
nations, especially those that have been greatly blessed with his favor.
OV432:1; CR494:1
The Lord gives opportunities of
choice, for there is no virtue in choosing that which alone is possible. R3631:3
Whether ye love the LORD -- Those who will endure most patiently will give evidence
of the best character. R5395:6, R4910:2
Only by permitting false teachers
could God demonstrate to what extent his professed people are loyal to him.
R5800:2
The Lord will not accept us merely
because we are consecrated. He requires that the consecration be proved. R4910:4
Our obedience to the principles of
righteousness is in proportion to our love for the Lord. These principles, obediently
followed, develop character to be crystallized. R3631:3
Deuteronomy 13:9
Put him to death -- Extending good will towards God's enemies is obnoxious
to God. The stoning of a condemned criminal showed acquiescence and approval of
God's judgment. R764:5
Deuteronomy 13:10
That he die -- Thus the Lord proved Israel's determination to obey him
at the sacrifice of any earthly friendship if need be. In this Israel was a
type of both the world in the age to come and the Church in the present time.
R768:1
Deuteronomy 13:13
Serve other gods -- Those who fellowship with such have not the spirit of
the Lord. R1588:3
Deuteronomy
14
Deuteronomy 14:2
Chosen thee -- Not so much for their own sake as for God's "Holy
Name's Sake" (Ezek. 36:22)--for the sake of love to all men. R518:1*
A peculiar people -- The Jews were a special people whom God had separated
from the world; they were a chosen generation or race. R5460:3
The Bride of Christ will be his
companion, his confidant, his peculiar treasure. R1820:3
Unto himself -- Peter shows these words belong not to the Jews, but to
their antitype, the elect Church. (1 Pet. 2:9) R1820:3
Deuteronomy 14:21
Ye shall not eat -- This was said to the Jews, not to us. Q431:3
Deuteronomy 14:27
Shalt not forsake him -- Israel was voluntarily to contribute to his support
because "he hath no part nor inheritance." (Num. 18:20) A52
The position of the Levites was
not fortified by threats of present or future calamity. OV11:2
No part nor Inheritance -- The Levites had as much right to a share in the land as
the other tribes. Instead of the land some equivalent should be provided for
them, and the tithe was this reasonable and just provision. HG535:5
Deuteronomy
15
Deuteronomy 15:6
Thou shalt lend -- Earthly goods; in order that what you have to offer of
spiritual things may be more acceptable. R2539:2
Shalt not borrow -- The New Creature has this as its rule now. F564
Deuteronomy 15:12
Let him go free -- Picturing the release of mankind from sin and death.
R5356:1
Deuteronomy 15:15
Remember -- So must the Christian call to mind his individual
deliverances. R2031:6
This thing to day -- Here the word "today" is used in the same
sense as in our Lord's words to the dying thief. F669
Deuteronomy 15:21
Shalt not sacrifice it -- It must be our justified selves and not our sins which
we present. R1231:2
Such an injunction is necessary,
as inborn selfishness suggests that it would be a pity to sacrifice the best
things. R3148:1
So children should be trained to
consider God's service the most honorable and most highly rewarding, and
encouraged to use their talents therein rather than to seek higher education for
secular pursuits. R3148:2
Deuteronomy
16
Deuteronomy 16:2
The passover -- Each house of Israel represented the household of faith
and each lamb represented the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the
world. F460
Deuteronomy 16:3
No leavened bread -- Leaven is a symbol of corruption, error, sin. R5192:4;
F464; T98
Symbolizing the putting away of
sin. R5390:2
Bread of affliction -- So called because of their sufferings in Egypt. R1800:2
Deuteronomy 16:10
Freewill offering -- Thus at Pentecost the Lord's followers dispensed to all
who were in readiness to receive the blessings granted them through Jesus.
R4307:2
Deuteronomy
17
Deuteronomy 17:14
I will set a king -- Judges developed the Israelites individually; the
kingdom tended to develop them along national lines. The individual judgment
better prepared the people for the coming of Messiah. R4193:2
Deuteronomy 17:17
Multiply wives -- David sinned by taking heathen wives-- Absalom's mother
being the daughter of Talmai, king of Gashur, in Syria. R2024:6, R2016:3
Solomon so did for political
purposes. He was influenced by his wives to support idolatry. R2068:3
Deuteronomy 17:19
All the days of his life -- As a daily companion we must ponder God's Word,
permitting its principles to mold our thoughts and guide our actions. R2016:5
Deuteronomy 17:20
Or to the left -- The only ruler of the world who will fully meet the
requirements of the divine law will be the Lord Jesus. R2046:4
Deuteronomy
18
Deuteronomy 18:1
No part nor inheritance -- This shows that the Great Company will have no
inheritance in the earthly promises. Their inheritance will be on the spirit
plane. R4655:2
Deuteronomy 18:10
Pass through the fire -- The people of Canaan first established the valley of
Hinnom (Greek, Gehenna) as a place of torture, offering their children in
sacrifice to the god Moloch. R3069:1
We have today, in nominal
Christendom, a Moloch on a much larger scale. They have come to think of the
Almighty as a ferocious deity who would take pleasure in the everlasting torture
of mankind. R3464:6, R2360:1
That useth divination -- The receiving of information from the fallen angels by
means of omens, oracles, etc. R3068:3; PD42/52
An observer of times -- Augury, the fixing of lucky or unlucky days. R3068:3
Or an enchanter -- A hypnotist. R3068:3
Or a witch -- A medium or mouthpiece of the fallen angels. R2172:1;
Q840:T
One claiming to exercise power
over the affairs of others. R3068:3
Spirit mediums, clairvoyants,
clairaudients and the like are the modern wizards and witches. Q840:T
Deuteronomy 18:11
Or a charmer -- Serpent-charmer, including those who claim to be able to
put spells on people and animals. R3068:4
Consulter with familiar
spirits -- Or were familiar with the
spirits who were disobedient in the days of Noah. PD42/52
Some mediums claim to have their
special familiar spirit, while others claim a general intercourse with the
spirits. R3068:4
Not to be visited, even "just
to see how it is done." R3240:5
Or a wizard -- One who claims to be wise in hidden or occult wisdom.
R3068:4
Spirit mediums, clairaudients,
clairvoyants and the like are the modern wizards and witches. Q840:T
Or a necromancer -- One who professes to hold communion with the dead.
R3068:5
Those who claim to speak for the
dead--spirit mediums. HG726:1
Deuteronomy 18:12
An abomination -- God forewarned against the evil spirits and their
mediums. He said that they should not be permitted to live in Israel. PD42/52;
R5910:2
Deuteronomy 18:15
Will raise up -- The entire Gospel age has been the period of The
Christ's (Head and Body) raising up. D629; CR485:4
Now being prepared, educated,
disciplined and instructed for a missionary work. R715:5*
Raised above the condition of the
world by being called with a high calling. R2859:5
Also raised up in the sense of
being transformed, walking in newness of life. R2859:6
A Prophet -- A teacher. R4058:1, R2859:4
United with the offices of Priest
and King. D637; OV89:4
The Christ--Jesus is the Head, and
all now received into God's family by the begetting of the holy Spirit are
members of the Body. R5839:4; D629, D637; F434; R5334:1, R2611:6; Q193:3
Moses was the type of this greater
Prophet, Messiah; and the Law covenant was a type of the greater Law covenant
of the Millennial age. Fi; OV118:3
The Man Christ Jesus, by full
obedience to the Law covenant, attained the right to "Moses' seat,"
to supersede Moses as Mediator. R5046:6
Believed in 1887 by the Samaritans
as "one who will teach the nations the good way ... so that the whole
world will repent of its sins." R906:2, 5*
Of thy brethren -- Not enough "Israelites indeed" being found,
divine wisdom has been selecting others from amongst the Gentiles. R5334:1
Like unto me -- A diminutive representation of that great Mediator,
Teacher, Leader and King--the real Deliverer of Israel and the world from
bondage. R5333:2; A58, A78; B177; R4595:5
Anti-typical. R2858:2
To whom every "Israelite
indeed" must transfer his pledges made under the Law to Moses, accepting
Christ in Moses' stead. F434
The likeness is not of a personal
kind; but found rather in position and work. R1321:3
As "our Passover," as
"the Resurrection," as "the Life," Christ is the Prophet
like unto Moses. R1321:3
The humbler title of prophet,
teacher, or representative of God, represented also in Moses' case the kingly
and priestly functions. R3068:2
Ye shall hearken -- When the antitypical Moses, the Great Mediator, shall
have been completed he will lead the people unto rest. R5388:2; CR485:4
Since Moses referred to Jesus as
greater it was not disloyal to Moses for people thus to accept Jesus. R5858:3
Deuteronomy 18:16
In Horeb -- Showing that the point of the illustration was Moses'
work at Sinai. R2858:5
Deuteronomy 18:18
Raise them up -- The entire Gospel age has been the period of Christ's
raising up. D629
A Prophet -- See comments on Deut. 18:15. Speak unto them all --
The hidden truths of ancient prophecy as well as new revelations of truth.
F233; R1525:1
Deuteronomy 18:19
Shall come to pass -- In the Millennial age. F709; A243
That whosoever -- Every being, including the fallen angels. R1679:3,
R2612:1
Will not -- Will not submit to the rewriting of the divine law in
his character. F360
Would fight against the Kingdom
and oppose its rule in any particular after a reasonable trial. F709
In the Millennial age there will
be upon man a different test, not of faith, but of works, of obedience. F113
Hearken -- Perfect obedience will be required. T50; E219; F113;
R2611:6, R892:5
Learn to love righteousness and
hate iniquity. A303
Gradually, line upon line, precept
upon precept. F709
All the willing shall reach
perfection; all the unwilling shall be destroyed. D654; R5247:3 R2612:4, R892:5
Deuteronomy 18:20
That prophet shall die -- The law (of blasphemy) under which Jesus was tried.
R1809:5
Deuteronomy
19
Deuteronomy 19:2
Three cities -- Foreshadowing the refuge sinners may find in Christ.
R4079:6
An advanced step, tempering
justice with mercy. R3092:3
Deuteronomy 19:3
Prepare thee a way -- Keep the roads to these cities well repaired and marked,
to afford the guilty a full opportunity for a rapid flight to secure safety.
R3092:3
Christ is easy of access to all
who diligently seek him. R4080:4
Deuteronomy 19:4
Ignorantly -- Cities of refuge were not for willful murder, but only
for manslaughter. R3092:3
Christ is no shelter for
obstinate, unrepentant sinners. R4079:6
Deuteronomy 19:6
Lest -- Under Jewish custom, two scribes accompanied the fleer
to persuade the avenger, if he should overtake, to permit the culprit to reach
the city of refuge. R3092:3,5
Avenger -- In the East it is considered the bounden duty of the
next of kin of the slain one to avenge his death. R3092:2
Justice is the avenger, seeking
our lives for being sinners. R4079:6
Deuteronomy 19:11
Lie in wait -- The fact that so many details are enumerated here and in
Numbers 35 and Joshua 20 shows that the trial was to be a careful one. R3092:5
Deuteronomy 19:12
Elders -- The culprit was not free, but must stand trial before
the elders. R3092:5
Deuteronomy 19:15
Two witnesses -- In Jesus' trial there were many false witnesses, but
none agreed together. R1809:3
Deuteronomy 19:21
Life shall go for life -- The Scriptural basis for viewing man's recovery from sin
and death as a purchase--a redemption. R5872:3
Human life must be considered
sacred and a slayer shown no pity. R3092:2
Divine justice required that a
perfect human life must be given for a perfect human life. No fallen man could
be a ransom, a corresponding price, for the perfect man Adam. R5429:6; SM660:1,
R661:1
If a thousand perfect men had
sinned it would have required a thousand perfect men to redeem them. R5429:6;
SM661:1; R5141:4
The death of an angel or an
arch-angel could not have redeemed man. R5429:6, R3174:5; SM660:1
A spirit being, veiled in flesh,
"incarnate," could not have been the Redeemer. R5622:5
The righteousness of the Law
(Matt. 3:15) was fulfilled by Jesus' offering of himself at Jordan as a
"life for a life." R1917:1
Eye for eye -- If inclined to carry out the Law of Moses we must
remember that it is not the time now for us to judge and discipline the world.
R5644:5
Deuteronomy
20
Deuteronomy 20:10
Fight against it -- Typifying how spiritual Israelites take possession of
their human bodies and, as New Creatures, must conquer and destroy these
tendencies of the flesh. R5706:6
Deuteronomy 20:12
Make war against thee -- If we do not overcome and destroy our fleshly
tendencies, they will overcome and destroy us. R5706:6
Deuteronomy 20:16
These people -- A menace to the morals of Israel--not only idolatrous,
but practicing licentious rites, divinations, etc. R5706:5
God doth give thee -- It was not the Israelites who were to decide to possess
the land--but God was to give them possession. R5707:1
Save alive nothing -- God had declared that their iniquity had come to the
full. It was a blessing to themselves and others that they died at the time
they did. R5706:5, R5707:1
Deuteronomy 20:17
Utterly destroy -- No injustice to the Amalekites, Hittites and Canaanites
since they were already under the death sentence. F174
They typified the willful sinners
of the Millennial age. F174
In the Kingdom man will also learn
how to exterminate the things of sin. R5707:1
Our warfare against spiritual foes
must result in the utter destruction of the fleshly mind, and it will also mean
the death of the human body. R5706:6
Deuteronomy
21
Deuteronomy 21:5
The priests -- A mediator between God and fallen creatures. R4553:3
Deuteronomy 21:6
Wash their hands -- As Pilate did over Jesus' blood. R3896:5
Deuteronomy 21:15
And another hated -- Loved less--as in "Esau have I hated." (Rom.
9:13) F172
Deuteronomy 21:17
Double portion -- The birthright. R2124:5
Deuteronomy 21:22
Hang him on a tree -- Christ was made a curse by dying on the cross--such a
death being necessary for the Jews but not needed for the remainder of mankind.
R4868:6
It was divinely intended that our
Lord should be treated as a cursed one and hanged upon a tree instead of
stoned. R5221:3
Deuteronomy
22
Deuteronomy 22:10
An ox and an ass -- Because so unequal in strength and tread it would be
cruelty. The Mosaic Law was 32 centuries ahead of its time. A50, A51; OV11:1;
HG535:4
Deuteronomy
23
Deuteronomy 23:1
Privy member cut off -- Eunuchs were not fully accepted as proselytes or granted
privileges of the congregation-thus the acceptance of the Ethiopian eunuch
(Acts 8:29-39) must have been after the 70 weeks. R2964:6
A eunuch could be "a
proselyte of the gate"--one who adopts Jewish worship. R4332:6
Deuteronomy 23:4
Balaam -- Illustrating the Second Death class, forsaking the way
of righteousness for earthly gain. F166
Deuteronomy 23:7
Not abhor an Edomite -- Edom is symbolic of Christendom. D15
Deuteronomy 23:21
Will surely require It -- "Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, than
that thou shouldest vow and not pay." (Eccl. 5:5) R2154:4, R2081:1
Deuteronomy
24
Deuteronomy 24:14
An hired servant -- But no special legislation for the priesthood. A53
The treatment of servants,
strangers and the aged was the subject of special legislation in the Mosaic
Law. HG536:1
Deuteronomy
25
Deuteronomy 25:4
Not muzzle the ox -- For the good reason that any laborer is worthy of his
food. The Mosaic Law was ahead of its time. A51; HG535:4
Deuteronomy 25:6
His name be not put out -- The object of this was to prevent the obliteration of
any family. R3854:1
Deuteronomy 25:19
Of Amalek -- Deferred until King Saul's day because (1) they had no
cavalry to cope with the marauders; and (2) to permit the Amalekites to be a
thorn in Israel's side for their chastening. R4207:2
Type of willful sinners of the
Millennial age. F174
Deuteronomy
26
Deuteronomy 26:5
A Syrian -- Jacob. B217; R599:3
And became there -- At the death of Jacob, the last of the patriarchs. B213
A nation -- Jacob's descendants were first called the "twelve
tribes of Israel" after his death. (Gen. 49:28) A78
Deuteronomy
27
Deuteronomy 27:12
Mount Gerizim -- These peaks are 800 feet high and a mile apart,
separated by a valley 1500 feet wide. The acoustics are such that conversation
can be carried on from peak to peak or peak to valley without difficulty.
R479:5*
Deuteronomy 27:15
Cursed -- They were all in debt according to their covenant, or
bargain, made at Sinai. R976:6
Deuteronomy 27:22
Lieth with his sister -- The law whereby Absalom slew Amnon. R2025:1
Deuteronomy 27:25
An innocent person -- Nephesh--soul, sentient being. E334
Deuteronomy 27:26
Cursed -- In addition to the Adamic curse. R1725:1
Be he -- Any Israelite. R1725:1
Of this law -- This Law covenant. R1725:1
Shall say, Amen -- Accept its terms, not realizing it was a covenant
"unto death" (Rom. 7:10) and not unto life, because of their
inability to obey perfectly its just requirements. R1724:5
Deuteronomy
28
Deuteronomy 28:1
Which I command thee -- The blessings and curses of that covenant were only to
the one nation, Israel. R1725:1
Set thee on high -- Yet the Ancient Worthies were persecuted; counting on
God's character to adjust the record in the resurrection. R1409:2
Israel's temporal blessings
typified the terms and conditions of the Millennial age. F631
Deuteronomy 28:2
All these blessings -- The reverse is true with the Church-- temporal
prosperity may mean danger. R2520:2
Deuteronomy 28:3
Blessed -- The blessings of the Law were earthly and not related to
the everlasting future. R1725:1
Shalt thou be -- Both as a nation and as individuals. R1409:2
The covenant included every member
of Israel, so that they shared in common the blessings or curses. R5046:2, R1725:2
Deuteronomy 28:5
Thy basket and thy store -- As exemplified in the bountiful harvests after Josiah's
reform. R2490:6
Deuteronomy 28:12
Thou shalt lend -- They are, as predicted, lenders to many nations. R2125:1
Deuteronomy 28:15
All these curses -- Calamities or evils, as chastisements. A125; R1780:2,
R1271:5
As the punishments have been meted
out to Israel, so may the promises of restoration be relied upon. R2525:5
Deuteronomy 28:16
In the city -- Physical evils of any sort, not moral evils. R2029:2
Not applicable to natural
disasters on Gentile cities. R2029:2
In the field -- As indicated by Haggai. (Hag. 1:4-6) R2520:1
Deuteronomy 28:25
Cause thee to be smitten -- As in the captivity of the ten-tribe kingdom. R1372:5
Deuteronomy 28:49
Bring a nation -- The Roman nation, in the end of the Jewish age. The
fulfillment of this prophecy shows that the Law covenant is still in force upon
the nation of Israel. R1729:6, R1730:1; C300
As the eagle flieth -- In the Roman siege, Roman eagles were planted on her
walls. R233:1
Deuteronomy 28:52
Shall besiege thee -- The Roman siege. R504 7:4, R1730:1
Deuteronomy 28:53
Fruit of thine own body -- In the Roman siege women took babies from their breasts
and roasted them for food. R233:1
Deuteronomy 28:63
Shall come to pass -- The curses have had a very literal fulfillment upon the
Israel of our Lord's day. (1 Thess. 2:15, 16) C300
Deuteronomy 28:64
Shall scatter thee -- Their pride led the Jews to overlook these statements of
God's prophets. R4782:2
As the rich man died and was
tormented in the flame. (Luke 16:24) R802:3
Among all people -- Throughout the Gospel age; meanwhile the Law covenant
remains in force. R1730:1
Deuteronomy 28:65
Find no ease -- If the British nation be any part of Israel (as
Anglo-Israelites claim) verses 64 & 65 do not appear to be fulfilled. C300
Deuteronomy
29
Deuteronomy 29:5
Forty years -- As Israel, because of lack of faith, had its wilderness
journey of forty years, so on account of lack of faith at our Lord's first
advent they were made to wander the past nineteen centuries. R3079:3
Deuteronomy 29:19
Drunkenness -- Intoxication with false doctrines. R3962:5; D614
Deuteronomy 29:21
This book of the law -- Particularly the book of Deuteronomy. R3080:2
Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things -- Questions respecting which the Lord has made no
particular revelation; thus unprofitable for consideration. R3357:4
The Word of God is so complete as
to leave no room for legitimate curiosity respecting the works of darkness, the
occult. R4087:5
Belong unto the LORD -- There is so much in God's Word that is simple and plain
and well substantiated that far-away speculations are well nigh inexcusable.
R4008:6
Which are revealed -- In the Word of God. B18
Belong unto us -- The Lord's people are to be careful to study and obey
all that the Lord has commanded as it becomes due to be understood. R3357:4
Deuteronomy
30
Deuteronomy 30:1
Shall come to pass -- Under the New covenant. R5047:2, R1729:6
Deuteronomy 30:3
Turn thy captivity -- Israel restored under the new conditions of grace.
R3071:2
Gather thee -- Not from Babylon or minor captivities but the great
regathering from all nations (Jer. 32:37-42). This is a deliverance which will
need no repetition, and is already beginning. R1483:5
After their "double" of
punishment. SM398:1
From all nations, and with
considerable wealth and general prosperity. OV67:1
Compare Rom. 11:25-30. R3071:2
Deuteronomy 30:4
Gather thee -- The basis for Nehemiah's prayer. (Neh. 1:4-11) R1496:4
Deuteronomy 30:6
Circumcise thine heart -- Signifies a cutting off, a separation from the flesh,
its aims, hopes, desires, etc. R3022:3
See Jer. 31:33, 34. R3071:2
Deuteronomy 30:8
Return and obey -- Under the blessed arrangement of the New covenant it
will not be too difficult for them. R3071:3
Deuteronomy 30:11
Neither is it far off -- Not difficult to understand. R1970:2
Deuteronomy 30:12
It -- Christ. R1970:3
Deuteronomy 30:14
The word -- The truth which we preach. R1970:3
Nigh unto thee -- Reasonable and plain. R1970:3
In thy mouth -- The first outward evidence given of a faith in the
heart. R3071:6
Deuteronomy 30:15
See I have -- Moses, type of the Great Prophet (The Christ, Head and
Body). R2611:5
Set before thee -- Israel, type of the whole world of mankind. R2611:5
Spiritual Israel now, the world in
the age to come. R401:5*
This day -- Type of the 1000-year day of trial, the Millennial age.
R2611:5
For the Church, the Gospel age.
R401:3*
Here the words "this
day" are used in the same sense as in our Lord's words to the dying thief.
(Luke 23:43) F669
Life ... and death -- A choice for the whole world through Israel, their type.
R401:2*
Eternal life or the Second Death.
R2611:5
In the 1000-year day all will be
called upon to decide under that most favorable opportunity for righteousness
and life or sin and death. A choice must be made. R2611:5
Not heaven or hell, but life is
the promise of the Law. Q328; R822:3*
It was only in the typical sense
that the Jewish nation was on trial for life or death. R4598:3
Death is not a friend, but an
enemy. R625:6*
Deuteronomy 30:16
Command -- In the sense of laying out plainly and distinctly God's
only terms for life eternal. R3072:3
That thou mayest live -- Jesus' life would have been protected had he not
voluntarily submitted and laid it down. R4642:4
Deuteronomy 30:17
Drawn away -- Deceived or allured. R401:6*
Worship other gods -- For spiritual Israel, the gods of wealth, fame, family
circle and home, or self. R3072:5
Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth -- Such words are very forceful at this time, for Moses was
about to die. R5528:1
Life and death -- Typical of the great second trial and its issues of life
and death-second (or restored) life and Second Death. R892:3
Blessing and cursing -- There is a curse for every one who loves
unrighteousness; there is a blessing for every one who loves righteousness.
R5247:3
Life is the blessing; death is the
curse. R5747:4
Choose life -- By complying with the conditions on which God said they
may have it. R363:1
Typical of the individual trial of
the whole world during the great 1000-year day. R2611:5
Israel was already under
condemnation of death through Adam's disobedience and could not be placed on
full trial again until redeemed. R892:2, R2611:4
In the present time the Lord
himself declares that it is a narrow way we walk and "few there be that
find it." (Matt. 7:14) HGI60:6
Deuteronomy
31
Deuteronomy 31:3
And Joshua -- Type of Christ. A79
Deuteronomy 31:9
Wrote this law -- That the first five books of the Bible were written by
Moses is a reasonable inference; the account of his death and burial being
properly added by his secretary. A43; R1623:4, R1145:3
Deuteronomy 31:11
Thou shalt read this law -- Made public, thus preventing designing men from
successfully tampering with the rights of the people. A50; HG535:2
Deuteronomy 31:16
Sleep with thy fathers -- From God's standpoint they only sleep. R5073:2
The good and bad are gathered to
their fathers in death, the tomb-sheol, hades. R5151:1
Deuteronomy 31:26
Side of the ark -- To show that Christ would meet in full all the
requirements of God's perfect Law, and also that legal authority would be
vested in him as the Law-executor. T121
Deuteronomy 31:29
Utterly corrupt yourselves -- Thus deserving the curses of chapter 28. R232:6
Deuteronomy 31:30
This song -- "The song of Moses, the servant of God." (Rev.
15:3) R168:4*
Prophetic. R3078:2
Deuteronomy
32
Deuteronomy 32:2
Drop as the rain -- "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit
and they are life." (John 6:63) R1937:2
My speech -- "Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46);
"Grace is poured into thy lips." (Psa. 45:2) R1937:2
Distil as the dew -- "All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious
words that proceeded out of his mouth." (Luke 4:22) R1937:2
As the showers -- "They could not take hold of his words ... before
the people; and they marveled at his answers and held their peace." (Luke
20:26) R1937:2
Deuteronomy 32:4
His work is perfect -- Even though he may temporarily permit evil angels and
evil men to pervert and misuse it. F17
Therefore God's law is perfect.
R386:5
Therefore God is not the author of
sin. R1225:2, R870:3; Q359:5
He does not do evil so that good
may follow. R3145:4 The mentally, physically and morally blemished are not
God's workmanship. E309; R2912:1, R2285:1, R5360:5
Adam was physically and morally
perfect. E406; R2394:5, R1719:4, R386:5; Q741:2
Thus man will be perfect at the
end of the Millennium. R5167:2
Satan was created perfect but fell
by ambition. F612; SM95:1
Deuteronomy 32:10
The apple of his eye -- Nothing shall by any means injure these. R4462:5
Deuteronomy 32:11
Stirreth up her nest -- Mixes the thorny outside with the downy inside so the
young will leave the nest and learn to fly. R3351:4*
The Lord permits trials,
persecutions, etc.--for strengthening and helping his people. R4335:2
Deuteronomy 32:17
Unto devils -- Ritualism in the Christian church is of pagan origin.
R1991:4*
Mediums of the fallen spirits. God
commanded that any amongst them who became such a medium should be put to death.
R5910:2; PD42/52
Not to God -- To whom the ransom was paid. R685:4
Deuteronomy 32:21
They -- Paul quotes part of this prophecy and applies it to "all
the house of Israel" living in his day, both in Jerusalem and scattered
throughout the world. (Rom. 10:19-21) R2125:3
Deuteronomy 32:22
For a fire -- The fire of God's jealousy. E357
And shall burn -- "They shall be burnt with hunger." (vs. 24)
E357
The lowest hell -- Sheol, oblivion, the tomb, the state of death--a
figurative representation of the utter ruin of Israel as a nation. R2599:3;
E357; R5154:2
Sheol, admitted by Pastor L. S.
White simply to denote the world of departed spirits and not of itself to teach
anything about the punishment of the wicked. HG209:3*
Deuteronomy 32:26
Scatter them -- The whole house of Israel. R2125:2
The remembrance -- The same Hebrew word is rendered "scent" in
Hos. 14:7 and "memorial" in Esther 9:28-so, pleasant remembrance.
R2125:2
Deuteronomy 32:30
One chase a thousand -- Harvest laborers, though few in number, accomplish the
harvest work. R1349:5, R6023:1
Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance -- The time of trouble. D73, D549
Deuteronomy 32:36
The LORD shall judge -- Jehovah himself is the supreme Judge, yet the
"Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the
Son." (John 5:22) F396
Punish--perhaps chasten an
individual with business reverses or with physical disease. R5957:2
Deuteronomy 32:39
No god with me -- Not triune. R1052:5*
I wound, and I heal -- It is the wounded heart that is ready to be bound up and
to be healed and to be transformed. HG270:3
Deuteronomy 32:43
Rejoice -- These victories shall ultimately be attained by all the
Israel of God--the Jew first and also the Gentile, during the Millennial age.
R3078:2
O ye nations -- All the true Israel of God, all who shall become
Israelites according to the faith and obedience of Abraham. R3078:3
And to his people -- --after divine wrath has burned out their national
transgression the Lord will speak peaceably toward Israel. E357
Deuteronomy 32:49
Mount Nebo -- It is quite possible that Elijah was taken from this
same mountain. R3416:3
Deuteronomy 32:50
Die in the mount -- Mount Nebo. PD37/48
If the meekest man in all the
earth was overcome by the circumstances of his position, it should not surprise
us if we find that in spiritual Israel some who start out meek and humble
become more or less arrogant. R3866:4
Deuteronomy 32:52
Thou shalt not go -- Although usually a type of Christ-in the one instance of
disobediently smiting the rock Moses became a type of Christ's followers who
put him to open shame and who, in consequence, will die the Second Death. (Heb.
10:29) R4058:1, R3077:4, R5333:3
Deuteronomy
33
Deuteronomy 33:1
Children of Israel -- Typical here of the elect 144,000. R3078:4
Deuteronomy 33:2
From Sinai -- A type of the Kingdom of God. R4037:5
Deuteronomy 33:3
Sat down at thy feet -- Not literal feet, but figurative as truly as in Zech.
14:4; Psa. 91:12; Isa. 52:7; Psa. 8:6, Psa. 110:1; Eph. 6:15. B157
Deuteronomy 33:14
Sun -- Not its body, but its light and influence. R3344:2*
Moon -- Not the orb, but its shining. R3344:2*
Deuteronomy 33:17
Push the people -- The Jews are prosperous as are no other people and, in a
peculiar manner, are pushing or goring all peoples to the ends of the earth-so
much so that every nation is seeking to get rid of them. R2125:1
Deuteronomy
34
Deuteronomy 34:1
And Moses -- The scribe, who wrote the book at Moses' dictation,
finishes the account as an historian. R3078:4
Fully submitted himself to the
Lord in meekness, in humility; a type of the still-greater prophet, the Christ
of glory. R4054:6, R5333:3
Acclaimed as a statesman, general,
lawgiver, poet and orator. R4055:1
Our Lord excepted, no character of
history stands out as that of Moses: combining strength with humility, wisdom
with love and gentleness. R3077:1
The top of Pisgah -- 3586 feet above sea-level. R3077:6
Deuteronomy 34:4
This is the land -- The antitypical Moses is now getting the antitypical
vision of the glories of the age to come. R4054:1
Caused thee to see -- With the eye of faith we perceive the blessing of all
the families of the earth. R4054:1
Thou shalt not go over -- One of the reasons was the second smiting of the rock.
(Num. 20:2-12) R3077:3
As we (the Body of Christ) look
into the beauties of the Millennial epoch, the Lord tells us that we shall not
go over to possess it. R4054:3
Deuteronomy 34:5
So Moses -- Here Moses was the type of the Law covenant which must
end before the people can enter into their rest. R3077:5
Died there -- Here a type of the Second Death Class; but by no means
implying that Moses experienced Second Death. R5333:3, R4058:1, R3077:4
Not from weakness and infirmity of
age (vs. 7); he died according to the word of the Lord. R3077:6
Moses will sleep with his fathers
until the divinely appointed time when, under Messiah's Kingdom, he will be
resurrected. He was seen on the Mount of Transfiguration only in a vision. R5333:5,
R201:1
Deuteronomy 34:6
No man knoweth -- As with Elijah. R3378:1, R2153:2
He who hid the body of Moses so
that none could find it was likewise able to hide the body of Jesus. R3376:6;
B130
Of his sepulchre -- It was appropriate that the type should not show an
earthly grave since the antitype has no hope of an earthly resurrection, of
which hope the grave is a symbol. R4054:5
Unto this day -- Representing that the Law covenant was not to be
revived. R3078:1
Probably to hinder the Israelites
from carrying Moses' mummy which, in after times, might have become a temptation
to idolatry. R4054:4, R5333:3, R3078:1
Deuteronomy 34:7
120 years old -- 40 years spent as an Egyptian prince; 40
years as a shepherd; 40 years as
Israel's leader, lawgiver, statesman-prophet, priest and king. R3077:2, R4054:5
Deuteronomy 34:9
And Joshua -- Type of the New covenant and of its Mediator, Jesus, the
Deliverer. R3077:5
In his 83rd year, yet full of
vigor--loudly confirming the Bible's teaching that Adam was created perfect and
contradicting the Evolution theory. R5335:2, R4060:3
Now 80 years of age. R3078:4
Heakened unto him -- Joshua. R3078:5
Israel unquestionably accepted the
Lord's choice of a leader, evidently learning something by their experience in
the wilderness. R3079:2
As the LORD commanded -- The Christ, during the Millennial Kingdom, will attempt
nothing on behalf of mankind in violation of the laws of God. R3078:5
Deuteronomy 34:10
Knew face to face -- Meaning that Moses enjoyed a closeness of fellowship and
favor with the Lord rather than that he really looked into the face of Jehovah.
R4055:2