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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:44 - 32:52
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Conclusion of Moses Address the Lord's Command to Him
v. 44. And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, Deu_31:22, he and Hoshea, the son of Nun, for so Joshua, who probably wrote this account, modestly calls himself. He assisted Moses, and Israel could see that the two were in entire accord.
v. 45. And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel, his entire proclamation herewith came to an end;
v. 46. and he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, through which I lay down my testimony, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this Law. Note that the obligation to impart the instruction of the Law to the children is here again stressed.
v. 47. For it is not a vain thing for you, an empty, meaningless proclamation; because it is your life, Deuteronomy 30-20; and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. The promise of temporal blessings is again included, but in a manner which points forward to the enjoyment of everlasting happiness, in the life with Him.
v. 48. And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,
v. 49. Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, the range which runs parallel with the Jordan and the Dead Sea, unto Mount Nebo, the highest peak of the range, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession;
v. 50. and die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people, an expression which implies the immortality of the soul: as Aaron, thy brother, died in Mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people, Num_20:28;
v. 51. because ye trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, Num_20:11-13; because ye sanctified Me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Their rebellion had consisted in their expressing a doubt of the Lord's willingness to give water to such a rebellious people, whereas the Lord had intended to make this miracle a proof of His majesty and almighty power.
v. 52. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee, namely, from the top of Mount Nebo, where, on a clear day, a view of practically the entire country of Canaan may be obtained; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel. Thus the Lord visits the transgressions of His children with punishments which are often severe, but finally he grants them a blessed end and causes them to be added to the great number of those that died in the faith.