Deuteronomy 11:5
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Cross References
Psalms 77:20
20You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalms 105:39-41
39He spread a cloud for a covering, fire to give light in the night. 40They asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of the sky. 41He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places.
Psalms 78:14-72
14In the daytime he also led them with a cloud, and all night with a light of fire. 15He split rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths. 16He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. 17Yet they still went on to sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert. 18They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire. 19Yes, they spoke against God. They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? 20Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?” 21Therefore the LORD heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel, 22because they didn’t believe in God, and didn’t trust in his salvation. 23Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven. 24He rained down manna on them to eat, and gave them food from the sky. 25Man ate the bread of angels. He sent them food to the full. 26He caused the east wind to blow in the sky. By his power he guided the south wind. 27He also rained meat on them as the dust, winged birds as the sand of the seas. 28He let them fall in the middle of their camp, around their habitations. 29So they ate, and were well filled. He gave them their own desire. 30They didn’t turn from their cravings. Their food was yet in their mouths, 31when the anger of God went up against them, killed some of their strongest, and struck down the young men of Israel. 32For all this they still sinned, and didn’t believe in his wondrous works. 33Therefore he consumed their days in vanity, and their years in terror. 34When he killed them, then they inquired after him. They returned and sought God earnestly. 35They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God, their redeemer. 36But they flattered him with their mouth, and lied to him with their tongue. 37For their heart was not right with him, neither were they faithful in his covenant. 38But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath. 39He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again. 40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert! 41They turned again and tempted God, and provoked the Holy One of Israel. 42They didn’t remember his hand, nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary; 43how he set his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the field of Zoan, 44he turned their rivers into blood, and their streams, so that they could not drink. 45He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. 46He also gave their increase to the caterpillar, and their labor to the locust. 47He destroyed their vines with hail, their sycamore fig trees with frost. 48He also gave over their livestock to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts. 49He threw on them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, and a band of angels of evil. 50He made a path for his anger. He didn’t spare their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence, 51and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham. 52But he led out his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54He brought them to the border of his sanctuary, to this mountain, which his right hand had taken. 55He also drove out the nations before them, allotted them for an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. 56Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, and didn’t keep his testimonies, 57but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers. They were twisted like a deceitful bow. 58For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their engraved images. 59When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel, 60so that he abandoned the tent of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men, 61and delivered his strength into captivity, his glory into the adversary’s hand. 62He also gave his people over to the sword, and was angry with his inheritance. 63Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song. 64Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows couldn’t weep. 65Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine. 66He struck his adversaries backward. He put them to a perpetual reproach. 67Moreover he rejected the tent of Joseph, and didn’t choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved. 69He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established forever. 70He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; 71from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance. 72So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Psalms 106:12-48
12Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. 13They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel, 14but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland. 15He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. 16They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron, the LORD’s saint. 17The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. 18A fire was kindled in their company. The flame burned up the wicked. 19They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped a molten image. 20Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of a bull that eats grass. 21They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, 22wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea. 23Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, so that he wouldn’t destroy them. 24Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn’t believe his word, 25but murmured in their tents, and didn’t listen to the LORD’s voice. 26Therefore he swore to them that he would overthrow them in the wilderness, 27that he would overthrow their offspring among the nations, and scatter them in the lands. 28They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds. The plague broke in on them. 30Then Phinehas stood up and executed judgment, so the plague was stopped. 31That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come. 32They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was troubled for their sakes; 33because they were rebellious against his spirit, he spoke rashly with his lips. 34They didn’t destroy the peoples, as the LORD commanded them, 35but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works. 36They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 37Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. 38They shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land was polluted with blood. 39Thus they were defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds. 40Therefore the LORD burned with anger against his people. He abhorred his inheritance. 41He gave them into the hand of the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them. 42Their enemies also oppressed them. They were brought into subjection under their hand. 43He rescued them many times, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity. 44Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry. 45He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. 46He made them also to be pitied by all those who carried them captive. 47Save us, LORD, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise! 48Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the LORD!
Study
No verse-level note here; see the section overviews below.
Section overviews (1)
Deuteronomy 5:1–26.19
This section contains the main part of the covenant document. It explains the stipulations, or required commands. These commands show how Israel was to live as God’s covenant people.
The first part (5:1–11:32) presents the major stipulations. These focus especially on the first two commandments (5:7–10). These commandments teach Israel to worship the Lord alone and to avoid idols.
The rest of the section contains more specific instructions. These minor stipulations explain in detail how the major commandments should guide daily life.
11:2-9
I speak not with your children which have not known . . . But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the Lord which he did--Moses is here giving a brief summary of the marvels and miracles of awful judgment which God had wrought in effecting their release from the tyranny of Pharaoh, as well as those which had taken place in the wilderness. He knew that he might dwell upon these, for he was addressing many who had been witnesses of those appalling incidents. For it will be remembered that the divine threatening that they should die in the wilderness, and its execution, extended only to males from twenty years and upward, who were able to go forth to war. No males under twenty years of age, no females, and none of the tribe of Levi, were objects of the denunciation (see Num 14:28-30; Num 16:49). There might, therefore, have been many thousands of the Israelites at that time of whom Moses could say, "Your eyes have seen all the great acts which He did"; and with regard to those the historic review of Moses was well calculated to stir up their minds to the duty and advantages of obedience.
11:1-7
Because God has made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude (so the preceding chapter concludes), therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God (so this begins). Those whom God has built up into families, whose beginning was small, but whose latter end greatly increases, should use that as an argument with themselves why they should serve God. Thou shalt keep his charge, that is, the oracles of his word and ordinances of his worship, with which they were entrusted and for which they were accountable. It is a phrase often used concerning the office of the priests and Levites, for all Israel was a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. Observe the connection of these two: Thou shalt love the Lord and keep his charge, since love will work in obedience, and that only is acceptable obedience which flows from a principle of love. Jo1 5:3.
Mention is made of the great and terrible works of God which their eyes had seen, Deu 11:7. This part of his discourse Moses addresses to the seniors among the people, the elders in age; and probably the elders in office were so, and were now his immediate auditors: there were some among them that could remember their deliverance out of Egypt, all above fifty, and to them he speaks this, not to the children, who knew it by hearsay only, Deu 11:2. Note, God's mercies to us when we were young we should remember and retain the impressions of when we are old; what our eyes have seen, especially in our early days, has affected us, and should be improved by us long after. They had seen what terrible judgments God had executed upon the enemies of Israel's peace, 1. Upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians that enslaved them. What a fine country was ruined and laid waste by one plague after another, to force Israel's enlargement! Deu 11:3. What a fine army was entirely drowned in the Red Sea, to prevent Israel's being re-enslaved! Deu 11:4. Thus did he give Egypt for their ransom, Isa 43:3. Rather shall that famous kingdom be destroyed than that Israel shall not be delivered. 2. Upon Dathan and Abiram that embroiled them. Remember what he did in the wilderness (Deu 11:5), by how many necessary chastisements (as they are called, Deu 11:2) they were kept from ruining themselves, particularly when those daring Reubenites defied the authority of Moses and headed a dangerous rebellion against God himself, which threatened the ruin of a whole nation, and might have ended in that if the divine power had not immediately crushed the rebellion by burying the rebels alive, them and all that was in their possession, Deu 11:6. What was done against them, though misinterpreted by the disaffected party (Num 16:41), was really done in mercy to Israel. To be saved from the mischiefs of insurrections at home is as great a kindness to a people, and therefore lays them under as strong obligations, as protection from the invasion of enemies abroad.
11:1-15
Deuteronomy 11:1-7
1. Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God-- and keep his charge-- and his statutes-- and his judgments-- and his commandments-- alway.
1. Dilige igitur Jehovam Deum tuum-- et custodi custodiam ejus-- et statuta ejus-- et judicia ejus-- et praecepta ejus omnibus diebus.
2. And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known-- and which have not seen the chastisement of the Lord your God-- his greatness-- his mighty hand-- and his stretched-out arm--
2. Et scitote hodie-- non enim cure filiis vestris loquor-- qui non noverunt-- neque viderunt eruditionem Jehovae Dei vestri-- magnitudinem ejus-- manum ejus validam-- et brachium ejus extentum--
3. And his miracles-- and his acts-- which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt-- and unto all his land;
3. Et signa ejus-- et opera ejus quae fecit in medio Aegypti-- ipsi Pharaoni regi Aegypti-- et universae terrae ejus.
4. And what he did unto the army of Egypt-- unto their horses-- and to their chariots: how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them-- as they pursued after you-- and how the Lord hath destroyed them unto this day;
4. Et quae fecit exercitui Aegyptiorum-- equis ejus et curribus ejus: qui inundare fecit aquas maris rubri super fades eorum-- dum vos persequerentur: et perdidit eos Jehova usque in hanc diem.
5. And what he did unto you in the wilderness-- until ye came into this place;
5. Quae praeterea fecit vobis in deserto donec veniretis usque ad locum istum.
6. And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram-- the sons of Eliab-- the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth-- and swallowed them up-- and their households-- and their tents-- and all the substance that was in their possession-- in the midst of all Israel.
6. Et quae fecit Datham et Abiram filiis Eliab filii Ruben-- quando aperuit terra os suum-- deglutivit eos-- domosque eorum ac tabernacula eorum-- atque universam substantiam quae erat in pedibus eorum-- in medio totius Israelis.
7. But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the Lord which he did.
7. Quandoquidem oculi vestri viderunt omnia opera Jehovae magna quae fecit.
1. Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God. The whole address has this scope, that the people should testify their gratitude by their obedience, and thus being allured by God's bounties, should reverently embrace His Law. On this account also, he requires them to love God, before he exhorts them to obey the Law itself. For, although he might have imperiously and menacingly commanded them, he preferred to lead them gently to obedience, by setting before them the sweetness of His grace. In sum, he exhorts them that, being invited by God's love, they should love him in return. Meanwhile, it is well to observe that free affection is the foundation and beginning of duly obeying the Law, for what is drawn forth by constraint, or servile fear, cannot please God. He designates the precepts of the Law by various names, in order that they may zealously and attentively apply themselves to listen to God, who has omitted nothing calculated to regulate their life; for, by this variety of words, he signifies that God had familiarly and perfectly taught whatever was required. As to the three latter words, "his statutes, and judgments, and commandments," what I have observed in Genesis and in the Psalms may be referred to. The word msmvt, [254] meshamroth, or guards, (custodiae,) which here stands first, is spoken in commendation of the Law on this ground, that it fences in our life, as it were, with rails, lest it should be exposed to errors on the right hand and on the left,. At the end of the verse he exhorts them to perseverance, because it was not allowable for the recollection of their deliverance ever to cease.
2. And know ye this day. He again confirms the preceding sentence; because they had been more than sufficiently taught by the illustrious acts of God, how great was His power and how remarkable His mercy toward themselves. Two meanings may be given to the words; for some connect them thus, "Know ye this day the chastisement of the Lord," and include in a parenthesis the clause, "for I speak not with your children, which have not known, and have not seen;" but others read the word of exhortation "know ye" separately, and [255] without any connection. The latter view pleases me best; although it little affects the substance of the matter which exposition we follow. For Moses admonishes them, that, if they only pay attention to the works of God, His glory, which may instruct them to fear Him, may be clearly beheld in them. In order, however, to urge them more vehemently, he adds, that he does not speak to posterity, to which the fame of these miracles would reach, but that he addresses eye-witnesses, who need no proof of them, having been assured of them by certain experience. He celebrates in many expressions of eulogy these miracles, whereby God had testified to them His power and goodness, lest they should lightly pass by what was worthy of their most earnest attention, and constant meditation. I forbear now to speak of other points, which I have elsewhere commented on. The word mvsr [256] musar, which stands first, is general, and extends to all the specific terms that follow; some, therefore, improperly render it "chastisement." Where it is said at the end of verse 4, that the Egyptians were "destroyed unto that day," we must understand that the effects of the slaughter, wherewith God destroyed them, were felt as if still present.
5. And what he did unto you. These things will be spoken of in their proper place in the regular course of the history, from which my method of teaching has compelled me to wander a little. For Moses, to heighten the authority of the Law, sets before them compendiously the circumstances which had occurred in the desert, partly in order that God's judgments might alarm them by their severity, and partly that His mercies might draw their minds towards Him by their graciousness. Finally, he concludes by saying that he does not speak of unknown things, but that he merely recalled to their recollection the works of God whereof they had been themselves spectators.
Footnotes:
[254] msmrt. A. V., charge. The LXX. keeps closest to the Hebrew idiom, phulaxe ta phulagmata autou. -- W.
[255] Tellement que tont le reste va son train. -- Fr.
[256] mvsr S.M. has rendered this word castigatio. V., disciplina. The root is ysr; and both the root and noun meaning to correct and correction, will sometimes mean to chastise, etc. -- W
11:5
And what he did unto you in the wilderness, until ye came unto this place. Meaning not so much the good things he did for them in divers places, as the chastisements and corrections he had exercised them with for their murmurings, rebellions, idolatry, and uncleanness, as at Taberah, Kibrothhattaavah, on the coast of Edom, and plains of Moab; by fire, by sword, by plagues, and fiery serpents; the instances both before and after being of this sort.
11:2-7
To awaken this love they were now to know, i.e., to ponder and lay to heart, the discipline of the Lord their God. The words from "for (I speak) not" to "have not seen" are a parenthetical clause, by which Moses would impress his words most strongly upon the hearts of the older generation, which had witnessed the acts of the Lord. The clause is without any verb or predicate, but this can easily be supplied from the sense. The best suggestion is that of Schultz, viz., ההוּא הדּבר, "for it is not with your children that I have to do," not to them that this admonition applies. Moses refers to the children who had been born in the desert, as distinguished from those who, though not twenty years old when the Israelites came out of Egypt, had nevertheless seen with their own eyes the plagues inflicted upon Egypt, and who were now of mature age, viz., between forty and sixty years old, and formed, as the older and more experienced generation, the stock and kernel of the congregation assembled round him now. To the words, "which have not known and have not seen," it is easy to supply from the context, "what ye have known and seen." The accusatives from "the chastisement" onwards belong to the verb of the principal sentence, "know ye this day." The accusatives which follow show what we are to understand by "the chastisement of the Lord," viz., the mighty acts of the Lord to Egypt and to Israel in the desert. The object of them all was to educate Israel in the fear and love of God. In this sense Moses calls them מוּסר (Eng. Ver. chastisement), παιδεία, i.e., not punishment only, but education by the manifestation of love as well as punishment (like יסּר in Deu 4:36; cf. Pro 1:2, Pro 1:8; Pro 4:1, etc.). "His greatness," etc., as in Deu 3:24 and Deu 4:34. On the signs and acts in Egypt, see at Deu 4:34; Deu 6:22; and on those at the Red Sea, at Ex 14. פּניהם - הצּיף אשׁר, "over whose face He made the waters of the Red Sea to flow;" cf. Exo 14:26. - By the acts of God in the desert (Deu 11:5) we are not to understand the chastenings in Num 11-15 either solely or pre-eminently, but all the manifestations of the omnipotence of God in the guidance of Israel, proofs of love as well as the penal wonders. Of the latter, the miraculous destruction of the company of Korah is specially mentioned in Deu 11:6 (cf. Num 16:31-33). Here Moses only mentions Dathan and Abiram, the followers of Korah, and not Korah himself, probably from regard to his sons, who were not swallowed up by the earth along with their father, but had lived to perpetuate the family of Korah. "Everything existing, which was in their following" (see Exo 11:8), does not mean their possessions, but their servants, and corresponds to "all the men who belonged to Korah" in Num 16:32, whereas the possessions mentioned there are included here in the "tents." היקוּם is only applied to living beings, as in Gen 7:4 and Gen 7:23. - In Deu 11:7 the reason is given for the admonition in Deu 11:2 : the elders were to know (discern) the educational purpose of God in those mighty acts of the Lord, because they had seen them with their own eyes.