“These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab. the Red: or, Zuph”
In the country of Moab. So that the wilderness was between the Sea and this plain of Moab. That is, a second law: so called, because the Law which God gave in mount Sinai, is here repeated, as though it were a new Law: and this book is a commentary or exposition of the ten commandments.
“( There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)”
In Horeb, or Sinai, forty years before this the Law was given: but because all that were then of age and judgment were now dead, Moses repeateth the same to the youth which either then were not born, or had not judgment.
“After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:”
By these examples of God’s favor, their minds are prepared to receive the Law. Cross references: : Num. 21:24
“The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:”
In the second year and second month, Num. 10:11 .
“And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:”
By the counsel of Jethro my father-in-law, Exod. 18:19 .
“The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.”
Not so much by the course of nature, as miraculously.
“How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?”
Signifying how great a burden it is, to govern the people.
“Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. Take: Heb. Give”
Whose godliness and uprightness is known.
“So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. made: Heb. gave”
Declaring what sort of men ought to have a public charge, read Exod. 18:31 .
“Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. respect: Heb. acknowledge faces”
And you are his Lieutenants. Lev. 19:15 ; Deut. 16:19 ; 1 Sam. 16:7 ; Prov. 24:23 ; James 2:2
“And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us.”
So that the fault was in themselves, that they did not sooner possess the inheritance promised.
“And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.”
Or, valley of the cluster of grapes. Num. 13:24
“And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.”
To wit, Caleb, and Joshua: Moses preferreth the better part to the greater, that is, two to ten.
“And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.”
Such was the Jews’ unthankfulness, that they counted God’s especial love, hatred.
“Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there. discouraged: Heb. melted”
Num. 13:29 The other ten, not Caleb and Joshua.
“The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;”
Declaring that to renounce our own force, and constantly to follow our vocation, and depend on the Lord, is the true boldness, and agreeable to God.
“Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.”
Num. 20:12 ; Num. 27:14 Deut. 3:26 ; Deut. 4:21 ; Deut. 34:4
“Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”
Which were under twenty years old, as Num. 14:31 .
“Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.”
This declareth man’s nature, who will do that which God forbiddeth, and will not do that which he commendeth.
“And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.”
Signifying that man hath no strength, but when God is at hand to help him.
“And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.”
Because ye rather showed your hypocrisy, than true repentance: rather lamenting the loss of your brethren, than repenting for your sins.