Ver. 25. Thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them— The statues and images of their gods were sometimes overlaid with gold and silver. Moses therefore thinks fit to caution them against being tempted, by the richness of the materials, to convert any of their instruments of idolatry to their own private use; but to destroy them utterly, as Moses destroyed the golden calf, Exodus 32:20. Every thing which had been employed to an idolatrous use was an accursed thing, חרים charim, i.e. devoted to destruction, which no man might meddle with; or, if he did, he was devoted to destruction, as the thing itself was. See this exemplified in the case of Achan, Joshua 7 and Leviticus 27:28-29.
REFLECTIONS.—Moses encourages them to obedience, by an enlargement on the mercies which would attend them. 1. If they kept God's judgments, he would love them and bless them. Their posterity should be numerous to inherit the good land, and none of the diseases of Egypt should come near to destroy their lives, or make them uncomfortable. Diseases are God's scourge: may we never provoke him to lay it upon us in anger! 2. They are repeatedly commanded to destroy the people and their idols; the gold and silver, the beauty of the engraving, or the preciousness of the materials, must not lead them to spare the least relic: what God abhors, they must; and it is their safety to do so, lest they be snared thereby, and become accursed as the idols the heathen doated upon. Note; (1.) Covetousness is real idolatry. (2.) If we would avoid the curse, we must avoid the snare. (3.) Sin, the abominable thing which God hates, is to the true Israelite an object of utter detestation. 3. God promises to strengthen them to extirpate this devoted race. Though the conquest was difficult, from the number of the people and their strength, yet they need not fear them. The wonders that God had shown in Egypt they had seen, and ought to remember: he can and will as easily consume the Canaanites as he did the Egyptians. Besides, he promises to send his auxiliaries; the hornets shall go before, and with their envenomed stings torment and terrify them, that they may fall an easy prey. So soon can God make a despicable insect the instrument of his judgment; but above all, the mighty and terrible God himself is in the midst of them, and who shall stand before them? Note; (1.) Past experience should be brought forth, as encouragement under present difficulties. (2.) If God be for us, what matters it who are against us? (3.) Going forth, under God's promise, to war against our corruptions, we may, with confidence, be assured that sin shall not have dominion over us. 4. Their conquests shall be gradual as they multiplied to inhabit the land, not all at once, lest the beasts should increase upon them, allured by the carcases of the slain, and the desolations of the land. Note; (1.) Heaven is thus a gradual conquest. Grace by little and little takes increasing possession of the soul, till it is made completely perfect in glory. (2.) The destruction of the enemies of God's church and people is advancing by degrees; and, however long spared, and difficult to subdue, the decree, is sure; they shall be rooted out at last.