Albert Barnes Commentary Deuteronomy 9
Albert Barnes Commentary
Deuteronomy 9
Albert Barnes Commentary
Deuteronomy 9
"Hear, O Israel: thou art to pass over the Jordan this day, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fortified up to heaven," — Deuteronomy 9:1 (ASV)
The lesson of this chapter is exactly that of Ephesians 2:8, By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
In referring to their various rebellions, Moses here, as elsewhere, has regard not so much for the order of time as to that of subject. (Compare Deuteronomy 1:9-15, note.) Such reasons as convenience and fitness to his argument sufficiently explain the variations observable when the statements of this chapter are minutely compared with those of Exodus 32–34. In these variations we have simply such treatment of facts as is usual and warrantable between parties personally acquainted with the matters.
"Know therefore this day, that Jehovah thy God is he who goeth over before thee as a devouring fire; he will destroy them, and he will bring them down before thee: so shalt thou drive them out, and make them to perish quickly, as Jehovah hath spoken unto thee." — Deuteronomy 9:3 (ASV)
So shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly - This is not inconsistent with (Deuteronomy 7:22), in which instant annihilation is not to be expected for the reasons assigned. Here Moses urges the people to trust in God’s covenanted aid; since He would then make no delay in so destroying the nations they attacked as to put them into enjoyment of the promises, and doing so as quickly as was for the well-being of Israel itself.
"Also in Horeb ye provoked Jehovah to wrath, and Jehovah was angry with you to destroy you." — Deuteronomy 9:8 (ASV)
Also in Horeb - Rather, “even in Horeb.” The time and circumstances made the apostasy at Horeb particularly inexcusable.
"And I fell down before Jehovah, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water; because of all your sin which ye sinned, in doing that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger." — Deuteronomy 9:18 (ASV)
I fell down before the Lord, as at the first — Moses interceded for the people before he came down from the mountain the first time (Exodus 32:11–13). This intercession is only briefly alluded to in this verse. Afterward, he spent another 40 days on the mountain in fasting and prayer to obtain a complete restitution of the covenant (Exodus 34:28). It is this second forty days, and the intercession of Moses made during that time , that is more particularly brought forward here and in Deuteronomy 9:25-29.
"And Jehovah was very angry with Aaron to destroy him: and I prayed for Aaron also at the same time." — Deuteronomy 9:20 (ASV)
Israel could not even boast that its heads and representatives continued faithful. Aaron had already been designated for the high priestly functions, but he fell away with the rest of the people. It was therefore due solely to the grace of God and the intercession of Moses that Aaron himself and his promised priesthood with him were not cut off; just as at a later time, when Aaron actually had to die for a new sin, Israel still owed it to the same causes that Eleazar was substituted and the High Priesthood perpetuated (Numbers 20:24–26).
Jump to: