The Choice of Life and Death. “Listen closely, I have set before you today life and prosperity (good), and death and adversity (evil) Deu 30:15
INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Law Repeated for the New Generation
III. THE THIRD DISCOURSE, Deu_29:1-29; Deu_30:1-20
The Covenant Renewed and Enforced with Promises and Threatenings
30. What great choice did Moses put before the people?
INTRODUCTION
This is again the Greek name for this book, and signifies the “second giving of the Law.” It contains the records of public addresses to Israel, delivered in the eleventh month of the fortieth year of their wanderings through the Wilderness. As Moses uttered them on the eve of his own speedy removal, he was able to speak with unusual emphasis and urgency. The allusions to the natural features amidst which these addresses were given are consistent with the place and speaker. It has been shown also by competent scholarship that Deuteronomy has all the peculiarities of Moses’ style; and any differences of hortatory entreaty and appeal may be accounted for by the mellowing effect of age.
The special references to this book in the New Testament are very significant. Our Lord quoted from it thrice in His Temptation, Mat_4:4; Mat_4:10. See also Rom_10:19; Act_3:22; Act_7:37. There are touches by a later writer, and an appendix, Deu_34:1-12; but the origin of the treatise as a whole must be ascribed to the great Lawgiver.
THE CHOICE OF LIFE AND DEATH
“For this commandment which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.
It is not [a secret hidden] in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?’
Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?’
But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it.
“Listen closely, I have set before you today life and prosperity (good), and death and adversity (evil);
in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments (precepts), so that you will live and multiply, and that the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you will not hear and obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,
I declare to you today that you will certainly perish. You will not live long in the land which you cross the Jordan to enter and possess.
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, you shall choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding closely to Him; for He is your life [your good life, your abundant life, your fulfillment] and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD promised (swore) to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
THE SUPREME CHOICE
The immediate purpose of this passage is to encourage the people by reminding them that all things needful for a holy life are within their reach. Paul refers to it for the same purpose, Rom_10:6.
The love and grace of God are not concealed as hidden mysteries might be. There is no need to undertake a long and dangerous journey, like that which brought the eastern Magi to the manger-bed of Bethlehem. The Word of God, which is another name for our Lord, is very nigh to us all. We have only to lift the heart to Him in simple faith, and confess Him as our Savior and Lord, and we are assured of salvation from the penalty and power of sin.
Love to God and compliance with His will is the only way of life and peace. Let us choose this narrow path. The gate is strait, but the way becomes always easier. It is narrow, but pleasant.
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