Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Deuteronomy
Book: Deuteronomy
Chapter: 14
Overview:
The Israelites to distinguish themselves from other nations.
(1-21) Respecting the application of tithes.
(22-29)
1-21 Moses tells the people of
Israel how
God had given them
three distinguishing privileges, which were their honour, and
figures of those spiritual blessings in heavenly things, with
which
God has in
Christ blessed us. Here is election; "The
Lord
hath
Chosen thee." He did not choose them because they were
By
their own
Acts a
Peculiar people to him above other nations, but
he chose them that they might be
So By his
Grace; and thus were
believers
Chosen, Eph 1:4. Here is
Adoption; "Ye are the
children of the
Lord your
God;" not because
God needed children,
but because they were
Orphans, and needed a
Father. Every
spiritual Israelite is indeed a
Child of
God, a partaker of his
nature and favour. Here is
Sanctification; "Thou art a holy
people."
God's people are required to be holy, and if they are
holy, they are indebted to the
Grace God which makes them
So.
Those whom
God chooses to be his children, he will form to be a
holy people, and zealous of good
Works. They must be careful to
avoid every thing which might disgrace their profession, in the
sight of those who watch for their halting. Our heavenly
Father
forbids nothing but for our welfare. Do thyself
No harm; do not
ruin thy health, thy reputation, thy domestic comforts, thy
peace of mind. Especially do not
Murder thy soul. Do not be the
vile
Slave of thy appetites and passions. Do not render all
around thee miserable, and thyself wretched; but aim at that
which is most excellent and useful. The laws which regarded many
sorts of
Flesh as unclean, were to keep them from mingling with
their idolatrous neighbours. It is
Plain in the
Gospel, that
these laws are now done away. But let us ask our own hearts, Are
we of the children of the
Lord our
God? Are we separate from the
ungodly world, in being set apart to
God's
Glory, the purchase
of
Christ's
Blood? Are we subjects of the work of the Holy
Ghost?
Lord, teach us from these precepts how pure and holy all
thy people ought to live!
22-29 A second portion from the produce of their land was
required. The whole appointment evidently was against the
Covetousness, distrust, and selfishness of the human
Heart. It
promoted friendliness, liberality, and cheerfulness, and raised
a fund for the relief of the
Poor. They were taught that their
worldly portion was most comfortably enjoyed, when shared with
their brethren who were in want. If we thus serve
God, and do
good with what we have, it is promised that the
Lord our
God
will
Bless us in all the
Works of our land. The blessing of
God
is all to our outward prosperity; and without that blessing, the
work of our hands will bring nothing to pass. The blessing
descends upon the working
Hand. Expect not that
God should
Bless
thee in thy idleness and
Love of ease. And it descends upon the
giving
Hand. He who thus scatters, certainly increases; and to
be free and generous in the support of religion, and any good
work, is the surest and safest way of thriving.