Deuteronomy 17

Deuteronomy 17:1

The Lord is his inheritance - That is, the Lord’s portion, namely, tithes and offerings, which belong to God, are given by him to the Levites for their subsistence, from generation to generation.

Deuteronomy 17:3

Take thy journey before the people - ‘Twas fit that he who had saved them from ruin by his intercession, should have the conduct and command of them. And herein he was a type of Christ, who, as he ever lives to make intercession for us, so has all power in heaven and in earth.

Deuteronomy 17:4

What doth he require - By way of duty and gratitude for such amazing mercies.

Deuteronomy 17:6

The heaven - The airy and starry heaven. The heaven of heavens - The highest or third heaven, called the heaven of heavens for its eminency. All that therein is - With all creatures and all men, which being all his, he might have chosen what nation he pleased to be his people.

Deuteronomy 17:7

To love them - He shews that God had no particular obligation to their fathers, any more than to other persons or people, all being equally his creatures, and that his choice of them out of and above all others, proceeded only from God’s good pleasure.

Deuteronomy 17:8

Circumcise - Rest not in your bodily circumcision, but seriously set upon that substantial work which is signified thereby: cleanse your hearts from all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, fitly compared to the foreskin, which if not cut off, made persons profane, unclean and odious in the sight of God.

Deuteronomy 17:9

Regardeth not persons - Whether Jews or Gentiles, but deals justly and equally with all sorts of men; and as whosoever fears and obeys him shall be accepted, so all incorrigible transgressors shall be severely punished, and you no less than other people: therefore do not flatter yourselves as if God would bear with your sins because of his particular kindness to you or to your fathers.

Deuteronomy 17:10

He doth execute - That is, plead their cause, and give them right against their potent adversaries, and therefore he expects you should do so too.

Deuteronomy 17:12

To him shalt thou cleave - With firm confidence, true affection, and constant obedience.

Deuteronomy 17:13

Thy praise - The object and matter of thy praise, as Exodus 15:2, whom thou shouldest ever praise.

Deuteronomy 17:17

Know - That is, acknowledge and consider it with diligence and thankfulness.

Deuteronomy 17:19

Unto this day - The effect of which destruction continueth to this day, in their weakness and fear, and our safety from their farther attempts against us.