Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Deuteronomy
Book: Deuteronomy
Chapter: 24
Overview:
Of
Divorce.
(1-4) Of new-married persons, Of
Man-stealers, Of
pledges.
(5-13) Of
Justice and generosity.
(14-22)
1-4 Where the
Providence of
God, or his own wrong choice in
Marriage, has allotted to a
Christian a trial instead of a help
meet; he will from his
Heart prefer bearing the
Cross, to such
relief as tends to
Sin, confusion, and misery. Divine
Grace will
sanctify this
Cross, support under it, and teach
So to behave,
as will gradually render it more tolerable.
5-13 It is of great consequence that
Love be kept up between
Husband and
Wife; that they carefully avoid every thing which
might make them strange one to another.
Man-
Stealing was a
capital crime, which could not be settled, as other thefts,
By
restitution. The laws concerning
Leprosy must be carefully
observed. Thus all who feel their consciences under guilt and
wrath, must not cover it, or endeavour to shake off their
convictions; but
By Repentance, and
Prayer, and humble
Confession, take the way to peace and
Pardon. Some orders are
given about pledges for
Money lent. This teaches us to consult
the comfort and subsistence of others, as much as our own
advantage. Let the
Poor Debtor sleep in his own raiment, and
praise
God for thy kindness to him.
Poor debtors ought to feel
more than commonly they do, the
Goodness of creditors who do not
take all the advantage of the
Law against them, nor should this
ever be looked upon as weakness.
14-22 It is not hard to prove that purity,
Piety,
Justice,
Mercy, fair conduct, kindness to the
Poor and destitute,
consideration for them, and generosity of
Spirit, are pleasing
to
God, and becoming in his redeemed people. The difficulty is
to attend to them in our daily walk and
Conversation.