Though I propose to make but a short observation on the whole of these blessings, for the sake of being brief, and that I may not increase the bulk of the present Commentary too much; yet I do beg the Reader to remark with me, the greatness and extensiveness of the blessings here promised. They relate to almost all the circumstances of life, and if read with a view to spiritual, as well as temporal mercies, they are enough to animate every true believer's heart; because, all the promises in CHRIST JESUS are yea, and Amen; and he himself, is the one, great, and comprehensive mercy of the whole covenant. Blessings are promised to the true seed of Israel, in all their outward concerns, in their persons, in their households, in the city, and in the field; whether at home or abroad, whether in trade or in labour, whether in their journeys, or in their stated resting places, both in lying down, and rising up. And is not JESUS all this, and infinitely more to his people? Oh! how precious is it to found all our mercies in him, and to see him, and enjoy him in every one. Psalms 72:17. But while I beg the Reader to remark with me, the gospel application of these mercies, I would beg of him not to overlook their temporal application in the history of the Jewish nation. Through a series of ages, Israel was blessed, and distinguished with the divine favor, during the reigns of their successive Kings from the time of Joshua to the Babylonish captivity. See Joshua, the books of Samuel, the books of the Kings, and the books of the Chronicles.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.a
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses,b and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods,c in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.