Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 11:31
For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein.
31 32. Resumption of the Pl. form of address; either an editorial addition to mark the transition to the actual laws which begin with Deu 12:1, or the close of an original introduction, in the Pl., to the Code. The former is the more probable as the vv. are compounded of phrases characteristic both of the Sg. and the Pl. forms of address.
31. For ye are about to pass over Jordan ] A Pl. phrase; see on Deu 4:14, Deu 6:1.
to go in to possess the land ] Mainly a Sg. phrase; see on Deu 6:1.
which the Lord your God is about to give you.
32. and ye shall observe to do ] Deu 5:32, etc.
all the statutes and the judgements ] See on Deu 5:31.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Deu 11:31
Ye shall pass over Jordan.
Jordan and Canaan typical of death and heaven
I. The anticipated inheritance.
1. A land of promise.
2. A land of abundance.
3. A holy land.
4. A land of rest.
5. Permanence of residence.
6. A land freely given.
II. The manner of possession.
1. The streams of Jordan rolled between the desert and the land of Canaan. So does the river of death flow between earth and heaven.
2. Jordan separated the Israelites from the inhabitants of Canaan. Death separates the church militant and the church triumphant. On this side is a parent, on the other side a child.
3. Jordan was subject to the command of God. When He gave the word, the waters rose and stood up (Jos 3:16). Death, too, is under His control. Christ destroyed him who had the power of death (Heb 2:14-15).
4. Through Jordan was a necessary way to the laud of promise. So is death, however painful and affecting. It is necessary that the river of death should be dark and formidable to render us content with the present state of existence.
5. Jordan was the last river they had to pass. Death will be the last conflict–the last enemy with which the saint will have to struggle. Observe that when the children of Israel passed over Jordan the following things were observable.
(1) They were required to sanctify themselves previous to the passage (Jos 3:5). Before death Christ must be made unto the believer sanctification (1Co 1:30).
(2) The priests were to enter the river first. So Jesus entered the river before us–as our Forerunner. The eye of faith in the dying believer beholds His footprints at the bottom.
(3) The priests stood firm in the midst of Jordan until all the people passed over (Jos 3:17). Christ stands by His people in their dying moments, and they feel the bottom of the river, for it is good.
(4) When they had passed over, they erected memorials of praise (Jos 4:5; Jos 4:8; Jos 4:20). So when the Christian reaches heaven he shall utter a song of praise. We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place (Psa 66:12). Unto Him that loved us (Rev 1:5-6).
Application:
1. The possession of the heavenly inheritance is certain: Ye shall possess it. Faithful is He who hath promised it, who also will do it.
2. Meditate much on heaven and Christ as an important means of inducing to preparation for the last conflict.
3. All sinners will be overwhelmed in the swellings of Jordan. (Helps for the Pulpit.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
For ye shall pass over Jordan, to go in to possess the land Which the Lord your God giveth you,…. They were now near it, and by this they are assured they should pass over it, in order to take possession of the land God had given them, and which gift of his was a sufficient title to it:
and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein: should not only take possession of it, but make their abode in it; they are assured hereby of continuance in it, on condition they obeyed the laws of God, as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(31) For ye shall pass over Jordan.In the place of Sichern, by the oak of Moreh, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land. It is the first recorded promise given to the patriarch that his seed should inherit that particular country. He had gone out from his own country, not knowing whither he went (Gen. 12:6-7).
Here ends the first portion of the exposition of the Decaloguethat which sets forth the relation of the people brought out of Egypt to Jehovah. The following chapters set forth the laws of the land of Israelfirst, as the seat of worship of Jehovah; secondly, as the seat of His kingdom; thirdly, as the sphere of operation of certain rules of behaviour, intended to form a distinctive character for His people. For a complete analysis of this portion, see the Introduction to this Book. Some modern writers attribute these chapters to a later hand than that of Moses. It is therefore necessary to consider them carefully, not simply as chapters, but in their primary structure and according to their natural divisions.
The land is considered as the seat of Jehovahs worship from Deu. 12:1 to Deu. 16:17 inclusive.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
31, 32. Ye shall pass over Jordan Moses gives a reason for these specific directions in the confident assurance he has that the people are to cross the Jordan and take possession of the land.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Deu 9:1, Jos 1:11, Jos 3:13-17
Reciprocal: Deu 12:10 – But when Deu 27:2 – on the day