Deuteronomy 7

Deuteronomy 7:1

SEven nations] In the 33. of Exodus, vers. 2. and Deuteronomy 20:17. sixe onely are named, the Gergashite being omitted; and in the 15. of Gen. vers. 19, &c. are named ten: the Hivites omitted, and the Kenites, Kenezites, Kadmonites, and Rephaims added: the reason of which difference may be, that one part of the people might have severall names, and severall parts of them might be comprehended under one name; or, sometimes generall names, sometimes particular might be mentioned.

Deuteronomy 7:2

make no covenant] Heb. Cut no Covenant. See Gen. 15. 17, 18. Jeremiah 34:18. No covenant of cohabitation in the same countrey; much lesse of marriage, unlesse they be converts to the true Religion, See Exod. 34. 15, 16. 1 Kings 11:2. Ezra 9. vers. 2. 12. Nehem. 13. 23. Judg. 3. 6, 7. & 14. 2, 3.

Deuteronomy 7:4

• turne away, &c.] * 1 Kings 11:2. Nehemiah 13:26.

Deuteronomy 7:5

destroy] God would have his service pure without any pollution of superstition and Idolatry, vers. 25. & Chap. 12. 2, 3. Exodus 23:24. & Exodus 34:13.

Deuteronomy 7:7

fewest] Before God had made a miraculous multiplication of you from those few which were of your posteritie of Jacob, See Chap. 10. vers. 22.

Deuteronomy 7:8

loved] You freely, finding no cause in you more then in others so to doe, Chap. 10. 15. 1 Samuel 12:22. 2 Samuel 22:20. Psalms 44:3. Zeph. 3. 17.

Deuteronomy 7:9

• to a thousand generations] * Chap. 5. 9, 10. Exod. 20. 5, 6.

Deuteronomy 7:10

to his face] The words are doubled for assurance that God will so apparently take vengeance of his enemies, that they shall plainly perceive (as they doe a thing set before their face) he doth it; and that he doth it for their wickednesse, as in that example of the idolaters and of the lusters after flesh, Numb. 11. and of Corah and his company, Chap. 16. Exod. 32.

Deuteronomy 7:12

mercy] This Covenant is grounded upon his free grace: therefore in recompencing their obedience he hath respect to his own mercy, not to their merits, Chap. 28. 1. Leviticus 26:3.

Deuteronomy 7:13

the fruit of] By multiplying thy posteritie, and withholding the mishaps of abortion, and feeble and deformed births, Deut. 28. vers. 4.

Deuteronomy 7:15

• all sicknesse, &c.] * Exodus 23:25. Psalms 105:37.

Deuteronomy 7:16

no pity] We ought not to be mercifull where God commandeth severitie: for such a mercy to others would prove a crueltie to their own souls that use it.

Deuteronomy 7:18

remember, &c.] Psalms 77:11.

Deuteronomy 7:19

temptations] The tryals of their faith and obedience were very great, and such as required miracles to uphold them from falling from God, and to scourge and recover them when they were fallen, Chap. 4. 34. & 29. 3.

so shall] This is to be referred to the precedent verse, concerning the destruction of Pharaoh and his people, meaning they shall be overcome as well as they were, though not with so many works of wonder.

Deuteronomy 7:20

hornet] The smaller creatures shall be armed against the enemies of God, and of his people, and shall subdue them as well as the greater.

Deuteronomy 7:21

• among you] * Exodus 17:7.

Deuteronomy 7:22

lest the beasts] So that it is for your commoditie that God accomplisheth not his promise so soone as you wish.

Deuteronomy 7:23

untill they be destroyed] That is, destroyed utterly.

Deuteronomy 7:24

destroy their name] So, as their name shall be buried in oblivion, or, if it be mentioned, it shall be but as the stirring of a sepulchre, which will raise an offensive fume.

Deuteronomy 7:25

an abomination] A thing that the Lord doth loath and abhorre, as he doth all sinnes, though one sinne more then another, idolatry especially.