Hear, O Israel.
The call to attention
I. He represents to them the formidable strength of the enemies which they were now to encounter (Deuteronomy 9:1-2). This representation is much the same with that which the evil spies had made (Numbers 13:28-29; Numbers 13:31-33), but made with a very different intention: that was designed to drive them from God, and to discourage their hope in Him; this, to drive them to God, and engage their hope in Him, since no power less than that which is almighty could secure and succeed them.
II. He assures them of victory, by the presence of God with them, notwithstanding the strength of the enemy (Deuteronomy 9:3). Observe, “He shall destroy them,” and then, “thou shalt drive them out.” Thou canst not drive them out unless He destroy them, and bring them down; but He will not destroy them, and bring them down, unless thou set thyself in good earnest to drive them out. We must do our endeavour in dependence upon God’s grace; and we shall have that grace, if we do our endeavour.
III. He cautions them not to entertain the least thought of their own righteousness, as if that had procured them this favour at God’s hand (Deuteronomy 9:4-6). In Christ we have both righteousness and strength; in Him, therefore, we must glory, and not in ourselves, or any sufficiency of our own.
IV. He intimates to them the true reasons why God would take this good land out of the hands of the Canaanites and settle it upon Israel.
1. He will be honoured in the destruction of idolaters (Deuteronomy 9:4-5).
2. He will be honoured in the performance of His promise to those that are in covenant with Him (Deuteronomy 9:5). (Matthew Henry, D. D.)
Thou art to pass over Jordan this day.
The Jordan
“Be the day weary, or be the day long, it ringeth at length to evensong.” So the weary wanderings of God’s people, long though they had been, were coming to an end at last. It has been a weary struggle to reach this river--the stream which lay between the wilderness and the promised land; just as, for that part of mankind who do not die young, the river of death is gained only through a long life, in which, while joys and sorrows are strangely mixed up, the sorrows form the largest portion. Everyone ought to be looking forward to this time; a time when all personal activities will cease, when we shall have to loose our hold on those things which engross us now, and which we imagine could not go on without us. And one great value of this looking forward to our death will be that we must at the same time look to our life, on which depends our death. Here, then, we are helped by meditating on the record which is left us of Israel’s journeyings towards the river of Jordan. Bear in mind that they travelled on, filled with a steadfast faith and hope as to the reality of the promised inheritance, and led by the Spirit of God. It was not ever thus with them. At one time they hankered after old sins--after the bondage of Egypt; they thought at one time that life might hold joys enough for them, without the future hope. But God quietly taught them by what looked like anger--but which was really love--the vanity of all earthly things; and from that time forward the promised land was their loadstar, which guided all their life. Nor were they left without the direct guidance of the law of God. How many lives amongst us are wrecked, how many of us are marching in a circle, because we have no settled principle to guide us! Every side path, every enticing glade, invites us to leave the strait way, and we follow it and find ourselves further from home than ever. Moreover, in addition to this law of God, Israel had the guidance of the ark, which was to them as the very presence of God Himself; The ark was to Israel as the Church of Christ is to ourselves, interpreting God’s will, giving point to His law, making that law not merely a set of rules, but a great guiding principle in truest touch with our whole lives. And Israel had all this time battles to fight, which in their varied characteristics fitly represent the perpetual conflicts which we are called to endure. But while Amalek represents the attacks of the world and Satan, which all must expect and be prepared for, Edom, Israel’s “brother,” who comes against him with a great force, reminds us that we may be attacked and thwarted in our heavenward course by those who should speed us on our way. It is no new or uncommon thing for the ardent young Christian to feel, not only want of sympathy, but positive opposition from those near and dear to him in earthly relationship. Again, in the attack of Moab we see the very Word of God attempted to be used as a weapon against the faithful people. And is it not true that many a young Christian, whom no enticement of sin can influence, who cannot be tempted to rebel against God’s moral laws, is assailed with awful effect by someone who comes bringing God’s own Word in his hand, and suggesting doubts and difficulties and problems, which, once suggested, cannot be ignored by a truth-loving, ardent spirit? Through all these trials, there was ever before the eyes and thoughts of Israel the entering on the promised land--the crossing of the river. As they wandered on, they knew them from the first will be with them still. “The ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you.” All that made the wilderness a home shall go with them, so that they shall not be afraid, though, as Joshua says, “ye have not passed this way heretofore.” And as an earnest of what shall be, we have in our last hours the ministrations of Christ’s holy Church to speed us on our way, even as the ark of God went before Israel. On this side, the manna to support us on our journey; and then no more types, but the “old corn of the land”--even Jesus Himself, the very true Bread of Life. (E. Smith, B. A.)