21<\/strong>. Behold, the Lord thy God<\/em>, etc.] The first of the passages, scattered throughout this discourse, in the Sg. form of address. The LXX has indeed the Pl. but apparently in order to harmonise with the context; the Sg. is confirmed by the Sam. Moreover the expression fear thou not neither be dismayed<\/em> (al-tra’ W e ’al teath) is always found with the Sg. address, while the Pl. has for the same idea dread ye not neither fear ye<\/em> (lo-ta‘arsn w e l-trn), e.g. Deu 1:29<\/em><\/span>, Deu 31:6<\/span>. Further the contents of the verse, though not otherwise exhibiting marks of separate-ness from the context, are not indispensable as a connection between Deu 1:20<\/em><\/span> ; Deu 1:22<\/em><\/span><\/em>. It is probable, therefore, that the verse is a later insertion, to make that connection clearer and more exact.<\/p>\n Deu 1:21<\/span><\/p>\n The Lord . . . hath set the land before thee.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The heritage of grace<\/strong><\/p>\n There is a heritage of grace which we ought to be bold enough to win for our own possession. All that one believer has gained is free to another. We may be strong in faith, fervent in love, and abundant in labour; there is nothing to prevent it; let us go up and take possession. The sweetest experience and the brightest grace are as much for us as for any of our brethren. Jehovah has set it before us; no one can deny our right; let us go up and possess it in His name. The world also lies before us to be conquered for the Lord Jesus. We are not to leave any country a corner of it unsubdued. That slum near our house is before us, not to baffle our endeavours, but to yield to them. We have only to summon courage enough to go forward, and we shall win dark homes and hard hearts for Jesus. Let us never leave the people in a lane or alley to die because we have not enough faith in Jesus and His Gospel to go up and possess the land. No spot is too benighted, no person is so profane as to be beyond the power of grace. Cowardice, begone! Faith marches to the conquest. (C. H. Spurgeon.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The folly of unbelief<\/strong><\/p>\n Moses <\/em>recounted what had occurred in the wilderness of Paran about two years after the Israelites went out of Egypt. They had reached Kadesh on the verge of the Negeb or South Country. They resolved to send spies before them to reconnoitre. This resolve, as the sequel proved, showed a want of faith on the part of many, and even a determined desire on the part of some to find an excuse for returning to Egypt. The majority of the spies, while extolling the country, magnified the difficulties which seemed to be on the path to its conquest. Only two of the spies were on the Lords side. But the latent unbelief of the people brushed aside their arguments. Only too ]ate the people repented of their folly, and were driven back before the Amorites to their forty years of wandering. Moses dwelt on this incident because it showed the folly and punishment of unbelief, and was thus a warning example. So it is to the Christian Church (1Co 10:6<\/span>). It shows–<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>The history is typical of what often occurs in the Christian life. Many come to the borders of the kingdom of God and fail to enter.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>The causes of failure are similar, the chief cause is unbelief. Because of this the Israelites could not enter. The proofs God had given of His power and willingness aggravated this unbelief. Every step of the journey proved the Divine goodness. But they forgot all God had done. Unbelief frustrated all.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>So is it with individual men. Barriers to entrance to the Divine kingdom are raised by themselves. They do not trust in the Divine promises. They are troubled by the thought that they are too sinful–that they must repent, prepare themselves, etc. But salvation does not depend on these things, though they may show that our hearts are set on it. The slave who is offered freedom does not need to attempt to purchase it. So sinful men may enter the strait gate in the Divine strength, through Christ. It was not their preparedness that entitled the Israelites to enter into the land of promise, but their faith in the Divine promises.<\/p>\n (1)<\/strong> The desert life, the hardship of conquest, were not to the taste of many of the Israelites. In Egypt they enjoyed many luxuries now denied them. So not a few wished to return to Egypt. But this was folly–the way to death, to fall into the hands of the enraged Pharaoh.<\/p>\n (2)<\/strong> This is a faint type of those who turn their backs on the spiritual kingdom, lured by the pleasures of the world.<\/p>\n (3)<\/strong> Do not let any think, as some in Israel seemed to do, that if God intends us to overcome He will enable us to do so without effort. Israel could not possess Canaan till the Amorites and other foes were overcome, the strong cities overthrown, etc. This the Israelites in unbelief thought could not be accomplished.<\/p>\n (4)<\/strong> This is the plea of many at the entrance of the spiritual life. The way is too difficult, the enemies are too strong, we cannot overcome. But the New Testament word is, If God be for us, who can be against us? Christ has commanded us to strive and agonise to enter.<\/p>\n (5)<\/strong> Let no man be deterred by this. Every noble life is a struggle. Good men, from the very constitution of things, must suffer. Even goodness incarnate was rewarded by the world with a cross. These difficulties are raised by the adversary.<\/p>\n (6)<\/strong> There are some events peculiarly saddening. A ship wrecked at the harbour mouth–a runner fainting when close to the goal–an heir bartering his inheritance for a mess of pottage. But sadder still–a sight fit to make angels weep–is it to see an heir of immortal glory turning from his fathers house back to the far country and the swine troughs! <\/em>(W. Frank Scott.<\/em>)<\/p>\n Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee<\/strong>,…. The land of Canaan, on the borders of which they then were;<\/p>\n [See comments on De 1:8]<\/span>,<\/p>\n go up<\/strong>; the mountain, by that way of it which was the way the spies went, and up to which some of the Israelites presumed to go when forbidden, they not complying with the call of God:<\/p>\n and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee<\/strong>; as in De 1:8<\/span>,<\/p>\n fear not, neither be discouraged<\/strong>; though the people of the land were numerous and strong, and their cities large and walled.<\/p>\n (21) Fear not, neither be discouraged.<\/strong>The last clause of this verse reappears in St. Joh. 14:27<\/span>, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. DISCOURSE: 186 Deu 1:21<\/span>. Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up, and possess it, as the Lord thy God hath said unto thee: fear not, neither be discouraged<\/em>.<\/p>\n THE journeyings of the Israelites in the wilderness afford an inexhaustible fund of instruction to us. The history of their deliverance from Egypt, their trials and supports, and their final entrance into the land of Canaan, so exactly corresponds with the experience of believers in their journey heaven-ward, that we are never at a loss for an illustration of that which is invisible, from that which actually took place amongst Gods ancient people. I.<\/p>\n The command given us in reference to the promised land<\/p>\n There is for us, as there was for Israel, a rest prepared [Note: Heb 4:8-9<\/span>. This passage sufficiently proves the parallel that is here assumed.]. And we are here bidden to take possession of it,<\/p>\n 1.<\/p>\n By right, as the gift of God<\/p>\n [Canaan was given<\/em> to Abraham and his seed by God himself: and the grant was confirmed with an oath, that the possession of it should infallibly be secured to them [Note: ver. 8.]. God had a right to bestow it upon whomsoever he would: and they to whom he should assign it had a perfect right to occupy it. The former possessors were no more than tenants at will: and, if God saw fit to dispossess them, and to let it out to other husbandmen, no injury was done to them, either on the part of the Great Proprietor, or on the part of those whom he appointed to succeed to the inheritance. This I say, in order to satisfy the minds of those who, through ignorance of the tenure on which the land was held, feel a repugnance to the transfer, and to the mode in which the transfer of the land was effected.<\/p>\n In relation, however, to the land which we<\/em> are called to possess, no such feeling can exist. Heaven is the free gift of God to Abrahams spiritual<\/em> seed, as Canaan was to his natural<\/em> descendants. It is given to them in Christ Jesus: yea, it was given to them even before the worlds were made [Note: Tit 1:2<\/span><\/u> and 2Ti 1:9<\/span>.]. And, as a person receiving a grant of land from an earthly monarch would go up without hesitation to take possession of it, so should every person who believes in Christ regard the heavenly land, and go up, not to make it<\/em> his own, but to take possession of it as his own. No thought of purchasing it must for one moment enter into his mind. If he is united unto Christ by faith, that<\/em> is a sufficient title; and from that moment he may claim it as his own.<\/p>\n This command then do we give, in the name of Almighty God, to every one of you who believes in Christ; Go up and possess the land, which the Sovereign of the universe, of his own love and mercy, has given to you.]<\/p>\n 2.<\/p>\n By conflict, as the fruit of victory<\/p>\n [Though the land was given them, yet were they to gain it by the sword. And we also have enemies without number to encounter. The world, the flesh, and the devil, all obstruct our way; and must be vanquished, before we can sit down in the full enjoyment of the promised inheritance Nor let it be thought that heaven is the less a gift on this account: for though we fight, it is not our own sword that gets us the victory. It was God himself who drove out the inhabitants of the earthly Canaan: and it is through God alone that our weapons produce any effect in subduing our enemies before us [Note: 2Co 10:4-5<\/span>.]. How compatible the two are, will appear from what our blessed Lord has said: Labour<\/em> not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give<\/em> unto you [Note: Joh 6:27<\/span>.]. You must fight; and you must conquer: but, after all, you must say, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be the praise [Note: Psa 115:1<\/span>.].]<\/p>\n Together with this command, we are taught,<\/p>\n II.<\/p>\n The way in which we should address ourselves to the performance of it<\/p>\n The command of God to us is positive, as that to them also was: and,<\/p>\n 1.<\/p>\n Our obedience to him should be prompt<\/p>\n [I am persuaded they would have done well, if they had never thought of sending spies to search out the land, and to tell them against what cities they should direct their first efforts. It was a carnal expedient, as the event proved. True it is, that Moses was well pleased with the proposal [Note: ver. 23.]: but he would not have been well pleased, if he had clearly seen from whence it issued, and what would be the result of it. He conceived it to be expressive only of a determination to go up, the very instant they should be directed where to go. And, supposing that there was no mixture of unbelief in it, it might be laudable enough. But what need had they of men<\/em> to search out the land, and to direct their efforts? Had not Almighty God himself, for the space of a whole year, gone before them to search out<\/em> places from day to day where they should fix their tents [Note: ver. 33.]? Had he done this by a pillar of fire by night, and by a cloud by day, and was he not both able and willing to shew them by which way to go up to the land, and what cities to attack? I say again, it was a carnal expedient, as the event proved: and it was the source of all the calamities that they endured for the space of forty years. Had they said to Moses, Pray to God for us, to direct us; and we are ready to go; they would have done well: but, by trusting to an arm of flesh, they fell.<\/p>\n In like manner, we should obey the divine mandate without delay. We should not confer with flesh and blood [Note: Gal 1:16<\/span>.]: we should not be consulting how we may avoid the trials which God has taught us to expect; but should look simply to the Captain of our salvation, and follow implicitly his commands; regarding no word in comparison of his, nor ever dreaming of a more convenient season than the present. What He calls us to do, we should do instantly, and with all our might.]<\/p>\n 2.<\/p>\n Our confidence in him should be entire<\/p>\n [They were bidden not to fear, or be discouraged. So neither should we fear any dangers that may threaten us, or be discouraged under any trials we maybe called to sustain. As for Anakims, or cities walled up to heaven, what are they to us? Is not He greater, that is in us, than any that can be in them? If Jehovah be on our side, what have we to fear? We may say of all our enemies, as Joshua did of those he was called to encounter, They are bread for us [Note: Num 14:8-9<\/span>.]; and shall not only be devoured as easily as a morsel of bread, but they, and all that they have, shall be our very support, invigorating our souls by the energies they call forth, and augmenting the happiness which they labour to destroy. Whatever may occur, we should never stagger at the promise through unbelief; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God [Note: Rom 4:20<\/span>.]. We should go forward in the spirit of the holy Apostle, If God be for us, who can be against us [Note: Rom 8:31<\/span>.]?<\/p>\n Hear then, believers, and follow my advice Survey the land<\/p>\n [See whether it be not the glory of all lands<\/em>, a land lowing with milk and honey. Come up to Pisgah, and look down upon it: or rather, I would say, Come up to Zion, and behold its length and breadth. See already, and taste, the fruits of it. Take into your hands the grapes of Eshcol, and tell me whether the whole world besides affords such fruit. Methinks, some of you at least have already partaken of them: yes, I doubt not, but that, in the light of Gods countenance lifted up upon you, and in his love shed abroad in your hearts, you have already found an earnest and a foretaste of your heavenly inheritance. But still, I say, Survey the land. Not one of its inhabitants ever says, I am sick [Note: Isa 33:24<\/span>.]. No sorrow is there, no sighing, no pain, no death [Note: Rev 21:4<\/span>.]. Nor is there any night there: it needs neither the sun nor moon to lighten it; for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof [Note: Rev 21:23<\/span>.].<\/p>\n Tell me, then, is it not worth the conflict? Is any thing too much to do, or too severe to suffer, in order to obtain it [Note: Rom 8:18<\/span>.]? Only keep that glorious object in view, and you will never sheathe your sword, till you have gained the victory.]<\/p>\n 2.<\/p>\n Perform your duty<\/p>\n [Gird on your swords. Go forward against the enemy. Make no account of any obstacles. Think neither of the strength or number of your enemies. Say not, Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? for thus saith the Lord; The prey of the mighty shall<\/em> be taken away; and the lawful captive shall<\/em> be delivered: for I<\/em> will contend with him that contendeth with thee; and I<\/em> will save thy children [Note: Isa 49:24-25<\/span>.]. Neither be discouraged from a sense of your own weakness: for God will perfect his own strength in your weakness [Note: 2Co 12:9-10<\/span>.]. Go on simply depending on your God. Rest on that word of his, Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness [Note: Isa 41:10<\/span>.]. With confidence do I address you thus: for the Lord Jesus Christ himself has said, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom [Note: Luk 12:32<\/span>.]. Only fight the good fight of faith: and you shall be more than conquerors, through Him that loved you.]<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Deu 1:21 Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up [and] possess [it], as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.<\/p>\n Ver. 21. Behold the Lord.<\/strong> ] See Trapp on “<\/em> Deu 1:8 “<\/em> <\/p>\n Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6. <\/p>\n fear not, &c. Compare Deu 31:6, Deu 31:8. Jos 1:9; Jos 8:1; Jos 10:25). 1Ch 22:13; 1Ch 28:20. 2Ch 20:15, 2Ch 20:17; 2Ch 32:7. Jer 23:4; Jer 30:10. <\/p>\n fear not: Deu 20:1, Num 13:30, Num 14:8, Num 14:9, Jos 1:9, Psa 27:1-3, Psa 46:1, Psa 46:7, Psa 46:11, Isa 41:10, Isa 43:1, Isa 43:2, Luk 12:32, Heb 13:6 <\/p>\n Reciprocal: Deu 1:29 – General Jos 8:1 – Fear not Neh 4:14 – General Amo 2:10 – to possess<\/p>\n Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up [and] possess [it], as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. 21. Behold, the Lord thy God, etc.] The first of the passages, scattered throughout this discourse, in the Sg. form of address. The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 1:21”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4922\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
I. <\/strong>Some hindrances to faith.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>Difficulties in the way of spiritual progress.<\/p>\nFuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
<\/em><\/p>\nFuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
VICTORY ASSURED TO THE TRUE ISRAEL<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Israelites, after one year spent in the wilderness, were now arrived on the very confines of Canaan: and the exhortation which I have now read to you, was part of the address of Moses to them, encouraging them to go up and take possession of the land. And, assuming (what I need not now stand to prove) the justness of the parallel between their state and ours, the words before us contain,<\/p>\n
1.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nFuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"