Deuteronomio 10:20 Commento

Moses having, in the foregoing chapter, reminded them of their own sin, as a reason why they should not depend upon their own righteousness, in this chapter he sets before them God's great mercy to them, notwithstanding their provocations, as a reason why they should be more obedient for the future. I. He mentions divers tokens of God's favour and reconciliation to them, never to be forgotten. (1.) The renewing of the tables of the covenant (Deu 10:1-5). (2.) Giving orders for their progress towards Canaan (Deu 10:6, Deu 10:7). (3.) Choosing the tribe of Levi for his own (Deu 10:8, Deu 10:9). (4.) And continuing the priesthood after the death of Aaron (Deu 10:6). (5.) Owning and accepting the intercession of Moses for them (Deu 10:10, Deu 10:11). II. Hence he infers what obligations they lay under to fear, and love, and serve God, which he presses upon them with many motives (Deu 10:12, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 10 In this chapter an account is given of an order to Moses to hew two tables of stone, on which the Lord would write the words that were on the first, and to make an ark and put them into it, all which was accordingly done, Deu 10:1 and of some of the journeys of the children of Israel, Deu 10:6 and of the separation of the tribe of Levi to the service of the sanctuary, Deu 10:8 and of Moses's stay in the mount forty days and nights, and his success there, and the direction he had to lead on the people of Israel towards Canaan's land, Deu 10:10 and who by various arguments are exhorted to fear the Lord, and serve him, and keep his commands, Deu 10:12.

Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God,.... Which includes the whole worship of him, external and internal: him shalt thou serve; heartily and sincerely, according to his revealed will, and him only: and to him shall thou cleave; and not turn aside to follow other gods, and worship them: and swear by his name; and his only, whenever it is necessary to take an oath, which should not be done rashly or on trivial accounts; and never by any creature, but by the living God; see Deu 6:13.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [Deuteronomy 10:20] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [Deuteronomy 10:20]

GOD'S MERCY IN RESTORING THE TWO TABLES. (Deu. 10:1-22) At that time the Lord said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first--It was when God had been pacified through the intercessions of Moses with the people who had so greatly offended Him by the worship of the golden calf. The obedient leader executed the orders he had received as to the preparation both of the hewn stones, and the ark or chest in which those sacred archives were to be laid.

In Deu 10:1-5 Moses briefly relates the success of his earnest intercession. "At that time," of his intercession, God commanded him to hew out new tables, and prepare an ark in which to keep them (cf. Exo 34:1.). Here again Moses links together such things as were substantially connected, without strictly confining himself to the chronological order, which was already well known from the historical account, inasmuch as this was not required by the general object of his address. God had already given directions for the preparation of the ark of the covenant, before the apostasy of the nation (Exo 25:10.); but it was not made till after the tabernacle had been built, and the tables were only deposited in the ark when the tabernacle was consecrated (Exo 40:20).

After laying down the fundamental condition of a proper relation towards God, Moses describes the fear of God, i.e., true reverence of God, in its threefold manifestation, in deed (serving God), in heart (cleaving to Him; cf. Deu 4:4), and with the mouth (swearing by His name; cf. Deu 6:13). Such reverence as this Israel owed to its God; for "He is thy praise, and He is thy God" (Deu 10:21). He has given thee strong inducements to praise. By the great and terrible things which thine eyes have seen, He has manifested Himself as God to thee. "Terrible things" are those acts of divine omnipotence, which fill men with fear and trembling at the majesty of the Almighty (cf. Exo 15:11). אתּך עשׂה, "done with thee," i.e., shown to thee (את in the sense of practical help).