Ver. 9. A land whose stones are iron— i.e. Where the iron mines are as plentiful as quarries of stone in other places. Out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass; i.e. copper, of which brass is made. See chap. Deuteronomy 33:25.
REFLECTIONS.—Repeated injunctions were given to urge their obedience; it was what God justly expected of them, and they need carefully perform. Two arguments are here mentioned.
1. What God had done for them in the wilderness. There they had gone through his gracious discipline, to humble and prove them, whether they would trust in his providence, and submit to his corrections; and there they had experienced astonishing interpositions of his mercy and grace to their bodies and souls. Note; (1.) We should remember often God's past dealings with us in mercy, as an encouragement to trust in the continuance of his care. (2.) We have need of every affliction which the Lord is pleased to lay upon us; our hearts are so proud and stubborn, that all is little enough to bend them. (3.) Trials are the proofs of our faith. God exercises us, that our graces, like gold in the furnace, may shine the brighter. (4.) God can supply his people in their deepest distresses. Let us take no indirect courses to relieve ourselves, and then verily we shall be fed. (5.) The rod of correction is the mark of parental love; instead of fainting, we should rejoice, when we are chastised of him.
2. What God was about to do for them. Canaan was before them: a land watered with copious streams, the vallies standing thick with corn, the hills covered with vines and olives, and every pleasing fruit; where plenty crowned the happy year, and filled their tables with abundance; whilst mines of precious ore enriched the bowels of the earth, and opened hidden sources of wealth. Deeply, therefore, they were bound to serve that master who paid them such abundant wages. How glorious the earthly, but how much better the heavenly Canaan, watered with the river of life, adorned with the trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord; flowing with wine of everlasting consolation, and rich in treasures that never wax old or decay! May my lot fall in this pleasant land!