Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Deuteronomy
Book: Deuteronomy
Chapter: 6
Overview:
A persuasive to obedience.
(1-3) An exhortation to obedience.
(4,5) Obedience taught.
(6-16) General precepts, Instructions to
be given to their children.
(17-25)
1-3 In this and the like passages, the "
Commandments" seem to
denote the moral
Law, the "statues" the ceremonial
Law, and the
"judgments" the
Law By which the
Judges decided.
Moses taught
the people all that, and that only, which
God commanded him to
teach. Thus
Christ's ministers are to teach his churches all he
has commanded, neither more nor less, Mt 28:20. The fear of
God in the
Heart will be the most powerful principle of
obedience. It is highly desirable that not we only, but our
children, and our children's children, may fear the
Lord.
Religion and
Righteousness advance and secure the prosperity of
any people.
4,5 Here is a brief summary of religion, containing the first
principles of
Faith and obedience.
Jehovah our
God is the only
living and true
God; he only is
God, and he is but One
God. Let
us not desire to have any other. The three-
Fold mention of the
Divine names, and the plural number of the
Word translated
God,
seem plainly to intimate a
Trinity of persons, even in this
express declaration of the unity of the
Godhead. Happy those who
have this one
Lord for their
God. It is better to have one
Fountain than a thousand cisterns; one all-sufficient
God than a
thousand insufficient friends. This is the first and great
commandment of
God's
Law, that we
Love him; and that we do all
parts of our duty to him from a principle of
Love; My son, give
me thine
Heart. We are to
Love God with all our
Heart, and soul,
and might. That is, 1. With a sincere
Love; not in
Word and
tongue only, but inwardly in
Truth. 2. With a strong
Love. He
that is our All, must have our all, and none but he. 3. With a
superlative
Love; we must
Love God above any
Creature whatever,
and
Love nothing but what we
Love for him. 4. With an
intelligent
Love. To
Love him with all the
Heart, and with all
the understanding, we must see good cause to
Love him. 5. With
an entire
Love; he is ONE, our hearts must be united in his
Love. Oh that this
Love of
God may be shed abroad in our hearts!
6-16 Here are means for maintaining and keeping up religion in
our hearts and houses. 1. Meditation.
God's words must be laid
up in our hearts, that our thoughts may be daily employed about
them. 2. The religious education of children. Often repeat these
things to them. Be careful and exact in teaching thy children.
Teach these truths to all who are any way under thy care. 3.
Pious discourse. Thou shalt talk of these things with due
reverence and seriousness, for the benefit not only of thy
children, but of thy servants, thy friends and companions. Take
all occasions to discourse with those about thee, not of matters
of doubtful disputation, but of the
Plain truths and laws of
God, and the things that belong to our peace. 4. Frequent
reading of the
Word.
God appointed them to write sentences of
the
Law upon their walls, and in scrolls of
Parchment to be worn
about their wrists. This seems to have been binding in the
Letter of it to the Jews, as it is to us in the intent of it;
which is, that we should
By all means make the
Word of God
familiar to us; that we may have it ready to use upon all
occasions, to restrain us from
Sin, and direct us in duty. We
must never be ashamed to own our religion, nor to own ourselves
under its check and government. Here is a caution not to forget
God in a
Day of prosperity and plenty. When they came easily
By
the
Gift, they would be apt to grow secure, and unmindful of the
Giver. Therefore be careful, when thou liest safe and soft, lest
thou forget the
Lord. When the world smiles, we are apt to make
Court to it, and expect our happiness in it, and
So we forget
Him who is our only portion and
Rest. There is need of great
care and caution at such a time. Then beware; being warned of
your danger, stand upon your
Guard. Thou shalt not tempt the
Lord thy
God; neither
By despairing of his power and
Goodness,
while we keep in the way of our duty; nor
By presuming upon it,
when we turn aside out of that way.
17-25 Moses gives charge to keep
God's
Commandments. Negligence
will ruin us; but we cannot be saved without diligence. It is
our interest, as
Well as our duty, to be religious. It will be
our
Life.
Godliness has the promise of the continuance and
comfort of the
Life that now is, as far as it is for
God's
Glory. It will be our
Righteousness. It is only through the
Mediator we can be righteous before
God. The knowledge of the
spirituality and excellency of the holy
Law of
God, is suited to
show sinful
Man his need of a
Saviour, and to prepare his
Heart
to welcome a free
Salvation. The
Gospel honours the
Law, not
only in the perfect obedience of the
Son of God, the
Lord Jesus
Christ; but in that it is a plan for bringing back apostate
rebels and enemies,
By Repentance,
Faith, forgiveness, and
renewing
Grace, to
Love God above all things, even in this
world; and in the world above, to
Love him perfectly, even as
angels
Love him.