The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 176

EXPOSITION. on in triumph. The repetition of the Xe in CHAPTER IX. this verse is very emphatic. Consuming fire D1SSUASIVES FROM SELF•RIGHTEOUSNESS. (cf. eh. iv. 24). Q.uickly, or suddenly. There Vers. 1-6.-lsrael might acknowledge is no contradiction here of what is said in eh. that it was of God's free gift that they pos- vii. 22 ; for there the reference is to the sessed the limd of Canaaa, and yet might possession of the land by Israel, here it is to the destruction which was to come on the flatter themselves by thinking it was because Co.naanites-the former wa.sito be by degrees, of their righteousness and goodness that the the latter was to come suddenly and over- gift was bestowed. To guard against this, whelmingly. As Jehovah bath said unto Moses tells them that not because of their thee (cf. Exod. x.x.i.ii. 23, 27, etc.; eh. ii. 2-l, righteousness would God go before them etc.). and drive out the mighty peoples that then Vers. 4, 5. -Speak not thou in thine heart (cf. viii. 17). The distinction between righteous- occupied the land, but because of the wicked- ness and uprightness (straightness) of heart. ness of these peoples themselves were they is that the former (Til:) bas reference to recti- to be extirpated (vers. 1-6). He further tude of couduct,:the fatter (i;if') to rectitude of reminds them of their transgressions in the motive and p11rpose. "By naming justice past, and how they thereby came nnder the [righteousness], he excludeth o.11 merit of Divine displeasure, o.nd were saved from works, and by righteousness [uprightness] destruction only through his earnest inter- of heart, all inward affections and purposes. which men might plead, notwithstanding cession (vers. 7-24). that they fail in action. Yet these two ~·e Ver. 1.-This day; at this time, very rnon. the c!Jief things which God respecteth ID Natione, cto. (cf. eh. vii. I). Cities (cf. eh. i. men (Ps. xv. 1, 2; l Chron. xxix. 17)" 28). (Ainsworth). Ver. 2.-Anakim (cf. eh. i. 28). It was o. Ver. 6.-Sti1fneoked, hard. of neck; stub-, common saying, Who can stand before the born, obstinate, rebellious. sons of Anak ! But even these gigantic foes should be uuo.ble to stand before Israel (cf. Vcrs. 7-25.-Mosesremindsthem ofmo.ny eh. vii. 2-1). instances of their rebelliousness by which Ver. 3.-Understand therefore this day; they had provoked the Lord, from the tinie r11th~r, And thou lmowe6t to-day or now. of their escape out of Egypt until thoir Tho expression corresponds to ver. I, 11 Thou arrival in the plains of Moab. Their re- nrt to puss ... cmd thou knowest." In the viotory they ho.d obtnined over Sihon and bellion began even before they had wholly Og, they had ahendy had experience of the escaped from their oppressors, before they Lord's going before them, o.nd. lending them had passed through the Red Sell (Rxod. 1G6 THE DOOK OF DEUTEIWNOMY. [en. IX. 1-20,