Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 6:18
And thou shalt do [that which is] right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers,
18. do that which is right, etc.] Cp. Deu 12:25.
mayest go in and possess ] See above on Deu 6:1.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
18, 19. Resumption of the Sg. address; in spite of this the originality of these verses also has been doubted. It is at least curious that we have in them the divine name alone without the addition thy God, characteristic of D.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Deu 6:18
Fear the Lord thy God, and serve Him.
Moses serious and affectionate charge to Israel
I. A solemn charge given.
1. Hear the Word of the Lord. This message is neglected or abused–
(1) By those who seldom or never attend a place of public worship: let such consider how they will be able to account for their negligence (Heb 2:1-3).
(2) By those who visit places of worship, but who sleep when they should hear (Rev 3:14-19).
(3) By those who are usually engaged in worldly contemplations while under the sound of the Word (Amo 8:5). Hence the charge is–
2. Observe the Word of the Lord. Observe–
(1) The doctrinal truths taught–respecting Gods claim on us; and God has claims on us as our Creator, Preserver, Benefactor, etc.
respecting our obligation to obedience, from gratitude, fear, hope, etc.
(2) The preceptive part of what is taught–concerning both outward and reward obedience, and the discrepancy between our conduct and spirit and the extensive requirements of the holy law (Mar 12:30-31).
(3). The promissory and encouraging part of what is taught–respecting the freeness and plenitude of Divine grace, to pity and pardon our transgressions (Isa 1:18); to purify our hearts (Eze 36:25-27); and to help our infirmities (Isa 41:10; Heb 4:14-16). The observance required is, however, principally in reference to practice.
3. Obey the Word of the Lord. Observe to do it. This refers to what in Deu 6:1, Moses called the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord your God commanded.
II. Important benefits proposed. As a stimulus to the Israelites to devote themselves to the service of Jehovah, Moses proposes–
1. Their safety; their well-being–that it may be well with thee. By way of contrast, look at Deu 4:23-26; Deu 27:26; Deu 28:16-20. Disobedience always exposes to danger, to destruction. But say ye to the righteous – the obedient believer – it shall be well with him. He shall be well instructed (Psa 25:9; 1Jn 2:20); well defended (Deu 32:9-11); well provided (Psa 34:10; Php 4:19). It shall be well with such, not only through life, but also at death (Psa 116:15); at judgment (Mat 25:34; 2Th 1:10); and forever (Psa 16:11). But we must return to observe that Moses proposes–
2. Their prosperity–that ye may increase mightily. This may have respect–
(1) To an increase of wealth–houses full of all good things, etc. (Deu 28:11). Or–
(2) To an increase of numbers (Deu 7:13). In the former case they would have an increase of their means of enjoyment; in the latter they would more mightily resist and overcome their enemies (Deu 7:24); and in both they might with less difficulty and greater cheerfulness attend on the services of the Most High. We, as Christians, may expect prosperity of a higher order.
1. Individually, we may be blessed with a sense of pardoning love, and fellowship with God through His Son (1Jn 1:3); may be enriched with the fruits of the Divine Spirit, love, joy, peace, etc. (Gal 5:22-23); strengthened with might in the inner man (Eph 3:16); and continue to grow in grace, etc. (2Pe 3:18). Hence we shall be enabled to bear temptation more easily; and in our conflict with Satan and his servants, our having prospered mightily will appear in our effectual resistance and our final triumph. And hence–
2. While the members of churches adorn their profession, we may hope that the churches collectively will receive an accession of members who, won by our Christian deportment, shall glorify God on our behalf. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)
Serve God
I. What is it to serve God?
1. To dedicate ourselves wholly to Him.
(1) Our souls, understandings, wills, affections.
(2) Our bodies.
(3) Our estates.
(4) Our gifts.
(5) Our authority.
(6) Our time.
2. To make His laws the rule of our lives.
3. To endeavour to please Him in all things.
II. Why serve God? He is our Maker, Preserver, Redeemer, etc,
III. Exhortation. Serve God–
1. Spiritually.
2. Obediently.
3. Willingly.
4. Cheerfully.
5. Faithfully.
6. Humbly.
7. Thankfully. (W. Stevens.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Not that which is right in thine own eyes, as many superstitious and sinful practices seem right and good to evil-minded men. Let Gods will and word, and not thine own fancy or invention, be thy rule in Gods service. Good actions are oft said to be right in Gods sight, as Jer 34:15; Act 4:19; and evil actions are oft said to be right in our own eyes, as Deu 12:8; Jdg 17:6.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord,…. And what is such appears from the declaration of his mind and will in the commandments he has given, and obeying which is therefore doing what is right and good; for his commandment is holy, just, and good, being agreeable both to his nature and will, Ro 7:12 that it may be well with thee; as it is with those that fear God, and keep his commandments:
and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers; to give to them and to their posterity, even the land of Canaan; but if they did not what was right and good in the sight of God, they might expect to be kept out of it, as their immediate parents were, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(18) And that thou mayest go in and possess.This should be taken with what follows, Possess, so as to cast out all thine enemies from before thee (Deu. 6:19). There was no question now whether Israel should pass the Jordan; but how far the conquest of Canaan would be completed, or within what period of time, depended upon their faithfulness to His decrees. That it was delayed by their disobedience is clear from Jdg. 2:20-23.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
shalt do: Deu 8:11, Deu 12:25, Deu 12:28, Deu 13:18, Exo 15:26, Psa 19:11, Isa 3:10, Eze 18:5, Eze 18:19, Eze 18:21, Eze 18:27, Eze 33:14, Eze 33:16, Eze 33:19, Hos 14:9, Joh 8:29, Rom 12:2
that it may: Deu 4:40, Deu 5:29, Deu 5:33
Reciprocal: Deu 6:23 – to give us Deu 11:9 – sware Deu 25:15 – that thy days 2Ki 17:15 – testimonies 2Ki 18:3 – right in the sight Jer 2:7 – brought Jer 32:22 – which Eph 6:3 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6:18 And thou shalt do [that which is] right and good in the {h} sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to thy fathers,
(h) Here he condemns all of man’s good intentions.