Deuteronomy 15

Deuteronomy 15:1

Do Not Forget the LORD

Again Moses strikes the chord of warning to remember the LORD. God knows our hearts. He knows that even possessing everything that speaks of His goodness can make us proud of what He has given us as if we had acquired it ourselves. We can be proud of our piety. But blessings do not give strength. Only the awareness that everything is grace preserves us from pride.

We become proud when we forget that we are lost sinners by nature and that we have been freed from a hopeless position by God. We also become proud when we forget how He saved us as Christians from so many dangers on our way. We become proud when we forget how He took care of us and gave us everything we needed.

He leads our way in such a manner that we do not become proud, but humble, and will see that what matters most to Him is to bring to be what makes for our ultimate good. Only when we are humble, can we be in a condition to enjoy all the blessings He has given us.

Deuteronomy 15:2

Do Not Forget the LORD

Again Moses strikes the chord of warning to remember the LORD. God knows our hearts. He knows that even possessing everything that speaks of His goodness can make us proud of what He has given us as if we had acquired it ourselves. We can be proud of our piety. But blessings do not give strength. Only the awareness that everything is grace preserves us from pride.

We become proud when we forget that we are lost sinners by nature and that we have been freed from a hopeless position by God. We also become proud when we forget how He saved us as Christians from so many dangers on our way. We become proud when we forget how He took care of us and gave us everything we needed.

He leads our way in such a manner that we do not become proud, but humble, and will see that what matters most to Him is to bring to be what makes for our ultimate good. Only when we are humble, can we be in a condition to enjoy all the blessings He has given us.

Deuteronomy 15:3

Only in the Power of the LORD

It is important to realize that we did not receive the blessing in our own power, but that the power of God has made everything available to us. All the experience of our own powerlessness and the rescues of the Lord are also meant to preserve us from crediting to our own merit something we have received .

God has given us strength to know what our blessings are. It is the power with which He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand (Ephesians 1:19-20). It is this power, united with His mercy, that has united us with Christ in heaven and has given us all the blessings (Ephesians 2:4-7).

All the acts of God in favor and goodness are based on His promises and counsels. We may look at it as already fulfilled. We are blessed now with all spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, based on His election of us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-4).

Deuteronomy 15:4

Only in the Power of the LORD

It is important to realize that we did not receive the blessing in our own power, but that the power of God has made everything available to us. All the experience of our own powerlessness and the rescues of the Lord are also meant to preserve us from crediting to our own merit something we have received .

God has given us strength to know what our blessings are. It is the power with which He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand (Ephesians 1:19-20). It is this power, united with His mercy, that has united us with Christ in heaven and has given us all the blessings (Ephesians 2:4-7).

All the acts of God in favor and goodness are based on His promises and counsels. We may look at it as already fulfilled. We are blessed now with all spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, based on His election of us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-4).

Deuteronomy 15:5

If the LORD Is Forgotten

The consequence of forgetting the LORD will be that they will worship other gods. That in turn will lead to their perdition. If they want an example of how they will perish, they only need to remember how Sihon and Og were defeated.

Deuteronomy 15:6

If the LORD Is Forgotten

The consequence of forgetting the LORD will be that they will worship other gods. That in turn will lead to their perdition. If they want an example of how they will perish, they only need to remember how Sihon and Og were defeated.

Deuteronomy 15:8

The LORD Crosses over Before His People

The word “listen” (or “hear”) that this chapter begins with is characteristic of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 6:3). It is to call attention to the words of God, to what He has to say.

To describe the power of the enemy, Moses uses the same words as the unbelieving spies (Deuteronomy 1:28), for that power is reality. We should not belittle the power of the enemy, but rely on a much greater power: the power of God.

Deuteronomy 15:9

The LORD Crosses over Before His People

The word “listen” (or “hear”) that this chapter begins with is characteristic of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 6:3). It is to call attention to the words of God, to what He has to say.

To describe the power of the enemy, Moses uses the same words as the unbelieving spies (Deuteronomy 1:28), for that power is reality. We should not belittle the power of the enemy, but rely on a much greater power: the power of God.

Deuteronomy 15:10

The LORD Crosses over Before His People

The word “listen” (or “hear”) that this chapter begins with is characteristic of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 6:3). It is to call attention to the words of God, to what He has to say.

To describe the power of the enemy, Moses uses the same words as the unbelieving spies (Deuteronomy 1:28), for that power is reality. We should not belittle the power of the enemy, but rely on a much greater power: the power of God.

Deuteronomy 15:11

Not Because of Their Righteousness

In Deuteronomy 8 the warning is that they should not think that they will have conquered the land by their own power (Deuteronomy 8:17). Here is a warning against the thought that they got the land because they are better than the people in the land. Thus, as Christians, we should not think that God has given us spiritual blessings because we are better people than the people around us. As if we are more faithful and by our own merit have received those blessings.

Proof of undeserved grace can be abused by the flesh by interpreting it as proof of its own righteousness and inherent uprightness. God shows that it is not a question of their righteousness, where the flesh can make boast, but that they have entered the land because of the iniquity of the people. Israel is the rod in God’s hand to judge those nations. Later Nebuchadnezzar will be the rod in God’s hand to remove Israel from the land (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

Another aspect is the promise made to the fathers. That is what we see in the counsel of God. He has intended it and promised it to his fathers. The time of fulfilment of that promise has come.

God emphasizes the fact that there is no righteousness from us that underlies the blessing He has given us (cf. Ezekiel 36:32). That we may now possess blessings is only because Christ defeated our enemies on the cross: “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:13-15).

Deuteronomy 15:12

Not Because of Their Righteousness

In Deuteronomy 8 the warning is that they should not think that they will have conquered the land by their own power (Deuteronomy 8:17). Here is a warning against the thought that they got the land because they are better than the people in the land. Thus, as Christians, we should not think that God has given us spiritual blessings because we are better people than the people around us. As if we are more faithful and by our own merit have received those blessings.

Proof of undeserved grace can be abused by the flesh by interpreting it as proof of its own righteousness and inherent uprightness. God shows that it is not a question of their righteousness, where the flesh can make boast, but that they have entered the land because of the iniquity of the people. Israel is the rod in God’s hand to judge those nations. Later Nebuchadnezzar will be the rod in God’s hand to remove Israel from the land (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

Another aspect is the promise made to the fathers. That is what we see in the counsel of God. He has intended it and promised it to his fathers. The time of fulfilment of that promise has come.

God emphasizes the fact that there is no righteousness from us that underlies the blessing He has given us (cf. Ezekiel 36:32). That we may now possess blessings is only because Christ defeated our enemies on the cross: “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:13-15).

Deuteronomy 15:13

Not Because of Their Righteousness

In Deuteronomy 8 the warning is that they should not think that they will have conquered the land by their own power (Deuteronomy 8:17). Here is a warning against the thought that they got the land because they are better than the people in the land. Thus, as Christians, we should not think that God has given us spiritual blessings because we are better people than the people around us. As if we are more faithful and by our own merit have received those blessings.

Proof of undeserved grace can be abused by the flesh by interpreting it as proof of its own righteousness and inherent uprightness. God shows that it is not a question of their righteousness, where the flesh can make boast, but that they have entered the land because of the iniquity of the people. Israel is the rod in God’s hand to judge those nations. Later Nebuchadnezzar will be the rod in God’s hand to remove Israel from the land (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

Another aspect is the promise made to the fathers. That is what we see in the counsel of God. He has intended it and promised it to his fathers. The time of fulfilment of that promise has come.

God emphasizes the fact that there is no righteousness from us that underlies the blessing He has given us (cf. Ezekiel 36:32). That we may now possess blessings is only because Christ defeated our enemies on the cross: “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:13-15).

Deuteronomy 15:14

Israel Provoked the LORD to Wrath

The history of the golden calf should remind them that they were not chosen because of their righteousness. They must remember how the LORD was for them during the journey (Deuteronomy 8:2). He didn’t make it difficult for them, but He was busy with them to finally do them good. In Deuteronomy 8 the failure of the people is not remembered. At the same time, as is said here, they must remember that they provoked the LORD to wrath (Deuteronomy 9:9). They have shown, in different forms time after time, what is in them, even after forty years of wilderness experiences.

Deuteronomy 15:15

Israel Provoked the LORD to Wrath

The history of the golden calf should remind them that they were not chosen because of their righteousness. They must remember how the LORD was for them during the journey (Deuteronomy 8:2). He didn’t make it difficult for them, but He was busy with them to finally do them good. In Deuteronomy 8 the failure of the people is not remembered. At the same time, as is said here, they must remember that they provoked the LORD to wrath (Deuteronomy 9:9). They have shown, in different forms time after time, what is in them, even after forty years of wilderness experiences.

Deuteronomy 15:16

Receiving the Law by Moses

Moses reminds the people how he was on the mountain with the LORD and received from His hand the law of the covenant.

Deuteronomy 15:17

Receiving the Law by Moses

Moses reminds the people how he was on the mountain with the LORD and received from His hand the law of the covenant.

Deuteronomy 15:18

Receiving the Law by Moses

Moses reminds the people how he was on the mountain with the LORD and received from His hand the law of the covenant.

Deuteronomy 15:19

The LORD Wanted to Destroy Israel

While Moses is on the mountain with the LORD, the LORD sees how the people have made a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-5). He talks about how they were “quick” to deviate. That is man.

He says to Moses that they are a stubborn people and asks Moses permission, as it were, to destroy them. His proposal then is to make Moses a great people. Here we see how the people deserved the judgment. This should make them all the more grateful that they are now about to enter the land that God has given them as a gift. They deserve to be destroyed rather than blessed with a gift.

Deuteronomy 15:20

The LORD Wanted to Destroy Israel

While Moses is on the mountain with the LORD, the LORD sees how the people have made a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-5). He talks about how they were “quick” to deviate. That is man.

He says to Moses that they are a stubborn people and asks Moses permission, as it were, to destroy them. His proposal then is to make Moses a great people. Here we see how the people deserved the judgment. This should make them all the more grateful that they are now about to enter the land that God has given them as a gift. They deserve to be destroyed rather than blessed with a gift.

Deuteronomy 15:21

The LORD Wanted to Destroy Israel

While Moses is on the mountain with the LORD, the LORD sees how the people have made a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-5). He talks about how they were “quick” to deviate. That is man.

He says to Moses that they are a stubborn people and asks Moses permission, as it were, to destroy them. His proposal then is to make Moses a great people. Here we see how the people deserved the judgment. This should make them all the more grateful that they are now about to enter the land that God has given them as a gift. They deserve to be destroyed rather than blessed with a gift.

Deuteronomy 15:22

The Two Tablets Smashed

When Moses saw the sin of the people, he smashed the two tablets of the law in pieces before their eyes. The people witnessed it for themselves. The smashing of the tablets into pieces expresses the fact that the people have smashed their relationship with the LORD. Moses seals that by smashing the tablets to pieces.

Deuteronomy 15:23

The Two Tablets Smashed

When Moses saw the sin of the people, he smashed the two tablets of the law in pieces before their eyes. The people witnessed it for themselves. The smashing of the tablets into pieces expresses the fact that the people have smashed their relationship with the LORD. Moses seals that by smashing the tablets to pieces.