Deuteronomy 8

Deuteronomy 8:1

OBserve to do] See Annot. on Chap. 4. 1.

Deuteronomy 8:2

to prove thee] See Annot. on Exodus 16:4. vers. 16. of this Chapter.

Deuteronomy 8:3

• but by every word] Not by the ordinary way of provision, wherein mans providence is exercised onely, a in preparing of bread, (the principall substance of his Table) but in roome thereof, either Gods word or command will make a miraculous supply of food, as by Quailes and Manna, and that without any meanes at all; his word, that is, his will, made as readily and evidently known by his powerfull worke, as a mans minde by his word, will support a mans life: and when a man hath meat, it is the vertue of that word and power of his that nourisheth, else it would be more likely to choake then to feed; but his word of command would soften stones into dough and make poyson to be both meat and medicine, * See Matthew 4:4. Luke 4. 4. Mark 16:18.

Deuteronomy 8:4

thy raiment] Besides the provision of apparell which they had of their own, they were furnished with many suits of severall sizes for themselves and their children by borrowing of the Egyptians, Exodus 3:22. & Chap. 12. 35. These being by a Divine power preserved from decay, some conceive the garments of thriving children or young men miraculously grew up with their persons: But it is more like that many of different ages and statures, dying their garments were kept for, and used by such as succeeded in the same measure; for we must not multiply miracles without necessitie; where one is mentioned (as the preserving of clothes without decay) there is no need nor ground for God to make, or man to imagine any more.

Deuteronomy 8:5

chasteneth his sonne] God sheweth his love as well by afflictions, as by apparent favours; as a man sheweth love to his sonne, as well by providing Physick for him in his sicknesse, as food in his health, Hebrews 12:6. and his chastening of his children is for their correction and amendment; not as the punishments of the wicked, for their ruine and destruction. 2 Samuel 7:14. Psalms 89:32. Prov. 3. 11, 12. Revelation 3:19.

Deuteronomy 8:6

• feare] Chap. 6, 2. 13. & 10. 12.

Deuteronomy 8:7

• bringeth thee, &c.] * Chap. 6. 10, 11. & 11. 10, 12.

Deuteronomy 8:9

stones] That is, store of Mines of iron and brasse, Chap. 33. 25. Job 28:2.

Deuteronomy 8:10

shalt blesse] For to receive Gods blessings and not to be thankfull, is to contemn God in them; and we must not onely conclude our refreshings with thanksgiving, but pray for a blessing before the use of them. See 1 Timothy 4:5. Romans 14:6.

Deuteronomy 8:12

and art full, &c.] Chap. 28. 47. & 31. 20. & 32. 15. Proverbs 30:9.

Deuteronomy 8:14

lifted up] By ascribing Gods benefits to thine own power, or care, or skill, boasting as if thou hadst them of thy selfe, without receiving them from God, 1 Corinthians 4:7. or, as if for some worthinesse in thee God had been so bountifull unto thee, Hosea 13:6.

Deuteronomy 8:15

terrible wildernesse] See Annot. on Chap. 1. vers. 19. Chap. 32. 10. Psalms 136:16. Hosea 13:5.

Deuteronomy 8:16

to doe thee good] Jeremiah 24:5. Heb. 12. 10, 11.

Deuteronomy 8:19

if thou doe] The word [thou] taken distributively in the beginning of this verse amounts to a collective sense, and is as much as [yee] in the end of it.