---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Deuteronomy 29"
description: "CHAPTER 29   :-. AN
EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE. 1. These are the words of the
covenant—The discourse of Moses is continued, and the subject
of that discours"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/deuteronomy/29"
---

CHAPTER 29

. AN
EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE.

**1. These are the words of the
covenant**—The discourse of Moses is continued, and the subject
of that discourse was Israel's covenant with God, the privileges it
conferred, and the obligations it imposed.
**beside the covenant which he
made with them in Horeb**—It was substantially the same; but it
was renewed now, in different circumstances. They had violated its
conditions. Moses rehearses these, that they might have a better
knowledge of its conditions and be more disposed to comply with them.

**2. Moses called unto all Israel, . .
. Ye have seen all that the Lord did,** c.—This appeal to the
experience of the people, though made generally, was applicable only
to that portion of them who had been very young at the period of the
Exodus, and who remembered the marvellous transactions that preceded
and followed that era. Yet, alas! those wonderful events made no good
impression upon them ([Deuteronomy 29:4](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/29/4)).
They were strangers to that grace of wisdom which is liberally given
to all who ask it and their insensibility was all the more
inexcusable that so many miracles had been performed which might have
led to a certain conviction of the presence and the power of God with
them. The preservation of their clothes and shoes, the supply of
daily food and fresh water—these continued without interruption or
diminution during so many years' sojourn in the desert. They were
miracles which unmistakably proclaimed the immediate hand of God and
were performed for the express purpose of training them to a
practical knowledge of, and habitual confidence in, Him. Their
experience of this extraordinary goodness and care, together with
their remembrance of the brilliant successes by which, with little
exertion or loss on their part, God enabled them to acquire the
valuable territory on which they stood, is mentioned again to enforce
a faithful adherence to the covenant, as the direct and sure means of
obtaining its promised blessings.

**10-29. Ye stand this day all of you
before the Lord your God**—The whole congregation of Israel, of
all ages and conditions, all—young as well as old; menials as well
as masters; native Israelites as well as naturalized strangers—all
were assembled before the tabernacle to renew the *Sinaitic*
covenant. None of them were allowed to consider themselves as exempt
from the terms of that national compact, lest any lapsing into
idolatry might prove a root of bitterness, spreading its noxious seed
and corrupt influence all around (compare ). It was of the greatest consequence thus to reach the
heart and conscience of everyone, for some might delude themselves
with the vain idea that by taking the oath () by which they engaged themselves in covenant with God,
they would surely secure its blessings. Then, even though they would
not rigidly adhere to His worship and commands, but would follow the
devices and inclinations of their own hearts, yet they would think
that He would wink at such liberties and not punish them. It was of
the greatest consequence to impress all with the strong and abiding
conviction, that while the covenant of grace had special blessings
belonging to it, it at the same time had curses in reserve for
transgressors, the infliction of which would be as certain, as
lasting and severe. This was the advantage contemplated in the law
being rehearsed a second time. The picture of a once rich and
flourishing region, blasted and doomed in consequence of the sins of
its inhabitants, is very striking, and calculated to awaken awe in
every reflecting mind. Such is, and long has been, the desolate state
of Palestine; and, in looking at its ruined cities, its blasted
coast, its naked mountains, its sterile and parched soil—all the
sad and unmistakable evidences of a land lying under a curse—numbers
of travellers from Europe, America, and the Indies ("strangers
from a far country," [Deuteronomy 29:22](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/29/22))
in the present day see that the Lord has executed His threatening.
Who can resist the conclusion that it has been inflicted "because
the inhabitants had forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their
fathers. . . . and the anger of the Lord was kindled against this
land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book"?

**29. The secret things belong unto
the Lord**—This verse has no apparent connection with the thread
of discourse. It is thought to have been said in answer to the looks
of astonishment or the words of inquiry as to whether they would be
ever so wicked as to deserve such punishments. The recorded history
of God's providential dealings towards Israel presents a wonderful
combination of "goodness and severity." There is much of it
involved in mystery too profound for our limited capacities to
fathom; but, from the comprehensive wisdom displayed in those parts
which have been made known to us, we are prepared to enter into the
full spirit of the apostle's exclamation, "How unsearchable are
his judgments" ([Romans 11:33](../../../kjv/romans/11/33)).

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