Deuteronomy 14

Deuteronomy 14:1

He will love thee - He will continue to love thee, and to manifest his love to thee.

Deuteronomy 14:3

The diseases of Egypt - Such as the Egyptians were infected with, either commonly, or miraculously. It seems to refer not only to the plagues of Egypt, but to some other epidemic disease, which they remembered to have prevailed among the Egyptians, and by which God had chastised them for their national sins. Diseases are God’s servants, which go where he sends them, and do what he bids them.

Deuteronomy 14:7

The temptations - The trials and exercises of thy faith and obedience to my commands.

Deuteronomy 14:12

No man shall stand - This promise is made upon condition of their performance of their duty, which they neglecting, justly lose the benefit of it.

Deuteronomy 14:13

The silver or gold - Wherewith the idols are covered or adorned, nor consequently any other of their ornaments. This he commands to shew his utter detestation of idolatry, and to cut off all occasions of it.

Deuteronomy 14:16

Live - Live comfortably and happily.

Deuteronomy 14:17

All the way - All the events which befel three in the way, the miraculous protections, deliverances, provisions, instructions which God gave thee; and withal the frequent and severe punishments of thy disobedience. To know - That thou mightest discover to thyself and others that infidelity, inconstancy, hypocrisy, and perverseness, which lay hid in thy heart; the discovery whereof was of singular use both to them, and to the church of God in all succeeding ages. It is good for us likewise to remember all the ways both of God’s providence and grace, by which he has led us hitherto through the wilderness, that we may trust him, and chearfully serve him.

Deuteronomy 14:18

By every word - That is, by every or any thing which God appoints for this end, how unlikely so - ever it may seem to be for nourishment; seeing it is not the creature, but only God’s command and blessing upon it, that makes it sufficient for the support of life.

Deuteronomy 14:20

As a man chastiseth his son - That is, unwillingly, being constrained by necessity; moderately, in judgment remembering mercy; and for thy reformation not thy destruction.

Deuteronomy 14:22

Depths - Deep wells or springs, or lakes, which were numerous and large.

Deuteronomy 14:24

Whose stones are iron - Where are mines of iron in a manner as plentiful as stones, and upon which travellers must tread, as in other parts they do upon stones.

Deuteronomy 14:25

Bless the Lord - Solemnly praise him for thy food; which is a debt both of gratitude and justice, because it is from his providence and favour that thou receivest both thy food and refreshment and strength by it. The more unworthy and absurd is that too common profaneness of them, who, professing to believe a God, from whom all their comforts come, grudge to own him at their meals, either by desiring his blessing before them, or by offering due praise to God after them.

Deuteronomy 14:29

Lifted up - As if thou didst receive and enjoy these things, either, by thy owns wisdom, and valour, and industry, or for thy own merit.