---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Deuteronomy 30"
description: "CHAPTER 30   :-. GREAT MERCIES
PROMISED UNTO THE
PENITENT. 1-10. when all these things are come
upon thee, . . . and thou shalt return . . .
then the Lord"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/deuteronomy/30"
---

CHAPTER 30

. GREAT MERCIES
PROMISED UNTO THE
PENITENT.

**1-10. when all these things are come
upon thee, . . . and*****thou*****shalt return . . .
then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity**—The hopes of the
Hebrew people are ardently directed to this promise, and they
confidently expect that God, commiserating their forlorn and fallen
condition, will yet rescue them from all the evils of their long
dispersion. They do not consider the promise as fulfilled by their
restoration from the captivity in Babylon, for Israel was not then
scattered in the manner here described—"among all the
nations," "unto the utmost parts of heaven" (). When God recalled them from that bondage, all the
Israelites were not brought back. They were not multiplied above
their fathers ([Deuteronomy 30:5](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/30/5)), nor
were their hearts and those of their children circumcised to love the
Lord ([Deuteronomy 30:6](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/30/6)). It is not,
therefore, of the Babylonish captivity that Moses was speaking in
this passage; it must be of the dispersed state to which they have
been doomed for eighteen hundred years. This prediction may have been
partially accomplished on the return of the Israelites from Babylon;
for, according to the structure and design of Scripture prophecy, it
may have pointed to several similar eras in their national history;
and this view is sanctioned by the prayer of Nehemiah ([Nehemiah 1:8](../../../kjv/nehemiah/1/8);
[Nehemiah 1:9](../../../kjv/nehemiah/1/9)). But undoubtedly it will
receive its full and complete accomplishment in the conversion of the
Jews to the Gospel of Christ. At the restoration from the Babylonish
captivity, that people were changed in many respects for the better.
They were completely weaned from idolatry; and this outward
reformation was a prelude to the higher attainments they are destined
to reach in the age of Messiah, "when the Lord God will
circumcise their hearts and the hearts of their seed to love the
Lord." The course pointed out seems clearly to be this: that the
hearts of the Hebrew people shall be circumcised ([Nehemiah 1:9](../../../kjv/nehemiah/1/9)); in other words, by the combined influences of the Word and
spirit of God, their hearts will be touched and purified from all
their superstition and unbelief. They will be converted to the faith
of Jesus Christ as their Messiah—a spiritual deliverer, and the
effect of their conversion will be that they will return and obey the
voice (the Gospel, the evangelical law) of the Lord. The words may be
interpreted either wholly in a spiritual sense ([John 11:51](../../../kjv/john/11/51);
[John 11:52](../../../kjv/john/11/52)), or, as many think, in
a literal sense also ([John 11:52](../../../kjv/john/11/52)). They will be recalled from all places of the dispersion
to their own land and enjoy the highest prosperity. The mercies and
favors of a bountiful Providence will not then be abused as formerly
([Deuteronomy 31:20](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/31/20); [Deuteronomy 32:15](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/15)).
They will be received in a better spirit and employed to nobler
purposes. They will be happy, "for the Lord will again rejoice
over them for good, as He rejoiced over their fathers."
[Deuteronomy 32:15](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/15). THE
COMMANDMENT IS
MANIFEST.

**11-14. For this commandment . . . is
not hidden . . . neither is it far off**—That law of loving and
obeying God, which was the subject of Moses' discourse, was well
known to the Israelites. They could not plead ignorance of its
existence and requirements. It was not concealed as an impenetrable
mystery in heaven, for it had been revealed; nor was it carefully
withheld from the people as a dangerous discovery; for the youngest
and humblest of them were instructed in those truths, which were
subjects of earnest study and research among the wisest and greatest
of other nations. They were not under a necessity of undertaking long
journeys or distant voyages, as many ancient sages did in quest of
knowledge. They enjoyed the peculiar privilege of a familiar
acquaintance with it. It was with them a subject of common
conversation, engraven on their memories, and frequently explained
and inculcated on their hearts. The apostle Paul () has applied this passage to the Gospel, for the law of
Christ is substantially the same as that of Moses, only exhibited
more clearly in its spiritual nature and extensive application; and,
accompanied with the advantages of Gospel grace, it is practicable
and easy.
. DEATH AND
LIFE ARE
SET BEFORE THE ISRAELITES.

**15-20. See, I have set before thee
this day life and good, and death and evil**—the alternative of a
good and happy, or a disobedient and miserable life. Love of God and
compliance with His will are the only ways of securing the blessings
and avoiding the evils described. The choice was left to them, and in
urging upon them the inducements to a wise choice, Moses warmed as he
proceeded into a tone of solemn and impressive earnestness similar to
that of Paul to the elders of Ephesus ([Acts 20:26](../../../kjv/acts/20/26);
[Acts 20:27](../../../kjv/acts/20/27)).

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