Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Deuteronomy
Book: Deuteronomy
Chapter: 12
Overview:
Monuments of
Idolatry to be destroyed.
(1-4) The place of
God's service to be kept.
(5-32)
1-4 Moses comes to the statutes he had to give in charge to
Israel; and begins with such as relate to the
Worship of
God.
The Israelites are charged not to bring the rites and usages of
idolaters into the
Worship of
God; not under
Colour of making it
better. We cannot serve
God and
Mammon; nor
Worship the true
God
and idols; nor depend upon
Christ Jesus and upon superstitious
or self-righteous confidences.
5-32 The command to bring ALL the sacrifices to the door of the
Tabernacle, was now explained with reference to the promised
land. As to moral service, then, as now, men might pray and
Worship every where, as they did in their synagogues. The place
which
God would choose, is said to be the place where he would
Put his name. It was to be his
Habitation, where, as
King of
Israel, he would be found
By all who reverently sought him. Now,
under the
Gospel, we have
No Temple or
Altar that sanctifies the
Gift but
Christ only: and as to the places of
Worship, the
prophets foretold that in every place the spiritual
Incense
should be offered, Mal 1:11. Our
Saviour declared, that those
are accepted as true worshippers, who
Worship God in sincerity
and
Truth, without regard either to this mountain or
Jerusalem,
Joh 4:21. And a devout Israelite might honour
God, keep up
Communion with him, and obtain
Mercy from him, though he had
No
opportunity of bringing a
Sacrifice to his
Altar. Work for
God
should be done with holy joy and cheerfulness. Even children and
servants must rejoice before
God; the services of religion are
to be a pleasure, and not a task or drudgery. It is the duty of
people to be kind to their ministers, who teach them
Well, and
set them good examples. As long as we live, we need their
assistance, till we come to that world where ordinances will not
be needed. Whether we eat or
Drink, or whatever we do, we are
commanded to do all to the
Glory of
God. And we must do all in
the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to the
Father
through him. They must not even inquire into the modes and forms
of idolatrous
Worship. What good would it do them to know those
depths of
Satan? And our inward satisfaction will be more and
more, as we abound in
Love and good
Works, which
Spring from
Faith and the in-dwelling
Spirit of
Christ.