John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 4:32

"For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and from the one end of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been [any such thing] as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?" — Deuteronomy 4:32 (ASV)

For ask now. Moses here more forcefully extols and magnificently praises the miracles that he had previously described more simply as occurring at the proclamation of the Law, his aim being to produce a fuller conviction of its dignity.

He also magnifies, by comparison, the testimonies by which its authority had been confirmed—namely, that nothing like it had ever occurred. For if any such event had previously taken place, some of its value or honor would have been diminished. But since, from the beginning of the world, God had given only one such illustrious display of His power, it provided stronger validation for the Law. He also adds that if they were to search the entire world, they would nowhere find anything similar.

For I do not approve of the more refined interpretation that some give to this clause, as if Moses meant that all creatures above and below were witnesses that God’s power had never been shown by so many and such illustrious miracles. Similarly, the interpretation that others give—understanding the days that are past to mean historical records or chronicles—appears too restricted. For I have no doubt that Moses simply wants them to inquire and examine whether, from the creation of the world or in any most remote region, anything like it had ever happened.