44, 45And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the 46children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt, On this [that] side Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after [as they came] they were come forth out of Egypt: 47And they possessed his land, and the land of Og, king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this [that] side Jordan, toward the sun-rising; 48From Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto Mount Sion, which is Hermon, 49And all the plain on this [that] side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs [slopes] of Pisgah.
EXEGETICAL AND CRITICAL
Since the second discourse constitutes peculiarly Deuteronomy, it is proper that it should be preceded by a general introductory title, analogous in its form to that in Deu_1:1-5. As to its form the progress from the declaration, Deu_1:5, to the setting it before the children of Israel, is worthy of notice. Deuteronomy is thus the renewed, and in a certain measure a second lawgiving. Then, in order to bring out fully that which corresponds to the title, he adds to the all-comprehensive designation law, Deu_4:44, now (Deu_4:45) testimonies, and indeed before statutes, and judgments, because these two sides of the law of God, in His revelation, in its demands, penalties, promises, are designed to testify to men in Israel His gracious, holy, righteous, good-will, Deu_6:17; Deu_6:20; Deu_31:26-27. [Bib. Com.: “Testimonies, statutes, and judgments, i.e., commandments considered first as manifestations or attestations of the will of God, next as duties of moral obligation, and thirdly as precepts securing the mutual rights of men.”—A. G.]. What was presupposed in the time announcement, Deu_1:3, is here and in Deu_4:46, expressly declared in the
áְּöֵàúָñÎ
; the auditory after the terminus a quo, and at the same time according to the obligatory grounds or reasons, as in Exo_20:2; Exo_19:1. Comp. also upon Deu_1:1; Deu_3:29; Deu_1:4. For Deu_4:47, see Deu_2:33 sq.; Deu_3:1 sq. For Deu_4:48, see Deu_2:36; Deu_3:12; Deu_3:8-9. For Deu_4:49, see Deu_3:17. “It is not strange that the geographical and historical elements which form the basis of the narrative should be presented again in this title, since these stand in the closest connection with the subjects of the discourse, which now first takes its right course.”—Baumgarten.
HOMILETICAL AND PRACTICAL
Deu_4:44-45. Calvin: “Moses shows, with how many words also, that he has only explained to them the law in its integrity.” Deu_4:46 sq. Calvin: “The taste of grace received should lead us to press more eagerly forward.” Deu_4:49. Richter: “Every look at Pisgah was for Moses a reminder of his approaching death (Deu_3:27) therefore he hastens to arrange all things with and for Israel.” The law Isaiah , 1) for a testimony, and thus it is doctrine; 2) for a support, and thus an ordinance for Church, State, family; 3) for justice, and thus a seal, as also a glass and restraint. If God makes demands upon man He has first given to him, and will give, so that he may have all fulness.
