Ver. 19. To make thee high above all nations— The greatest glory and exaltation of any nation is, to be peculiarly grateful and obedient to God. It is both a very high and a very noble privilege, and full of such blessings as will infallibly render a people great and happy above all others.
REFLECTIONS.—Moses enforces all these laws by that mutual covenant which subsisted between God and them. As His commands, they were bound to be obedient from duty: as they had avowed God to be their Lord, what was before their duty became now their choice; and as God had acknowledged them for his people, and promised to make them both great and good, they were in love and gratitude engaged to be faithful. Note; (1.) Our obedience to God's laws should be cheerful and universal, as being all holy, and just, and good. (2.) Every profession we make of taking him for our God obliges us to fidelity in his service. (3.) It is his promise to make us holy, and in consequence to make us glorious; and this must be the most engaging motive to yield ourselves up to him, to be in body, soul, and spirit, devoted to his will and service: for what he promises to work in us, we may, notwithstanding all the corruption of our hearts, assuredly expect to see accomplished by his grace.