IX.

EXHORTATION TO REMEMBER THE SINS OF THE EXODUS.

(1) Hear, O Israel.--A fresh portion of the exhortation begins here. The cause of Israel's conquest of Canaan is not to be sought in their own merit, but in the choice of Jehovah.

Thou art to pass.--Literally, thou art passing: i.e., just about to pass.

Nations greater and mightier than thyself.--If this is true (and there is no reason to doubt it), the responsibility of the conquest does not rest with Israel; they were the Divine executioners. (See Note on Joshua 5:13-14.)

Cities . . . fenced up to heaven.--Comp. the expression in Genesis 11:4, "a city and a tower whose top may reach unto (literally, is in) heaven." So here, "cities great and fortified in the heavens." Was St. Paul thinking of this expression when he said, "We wrestle against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly regions?" (Ephesians 6:12).

Verse 1. - This day; at this time, very soon. Nations, etc. (cf. Deuteronomy 7:1). Cities (cf. Deuteronomy 1:28).

9:1-6 Moses represents the strength of the enemies they were now to encounter. This was to drive them to God, and engage their hope in him. He assures them of victory, by the presence of God with them. He cautions them not to have the least thought of their own righteousness, as if that procured this favour at God's hand. In Christ we have both righteousness and strength; in Him we must glory, not in ourselves, nor in any sufficiency of our own. It is for the wickedness of these nations that God drives them out. All whom God rejects, are rejected for their own wickedness; but none whom he accepts are accepted for their own righteousness. Thus boasting is for ever done away: see Eph 2:9,11,12.Hear, O Israel,.... A pause being made after the delivery of the preceding discourse; or perhaps what follows might be delivered at another time, at some little distance; and which being of moment and importance to the glory of God, and that Israel might have a true notion of their duty, they are called upon to listen with attention to what was now about to be said:

thou art to pass over Jordan this day; not precisely that very day, but in a short time after this; for it was on the first day of the eleventh month that Moses began the repetition of the laws he was now going on with, Deuteronomy 1:3, and it was not until the tenth day of the first month of the next year that the people passed over Jordan, Joshua 4:19 which was about two months after this:

to go in and possess nations greater and mightier than thyself; the seven nations named Deuteronomy 7:1 where the same characters are given of them:

cities great and fenced up to heaven; as they were said to be by the spies, Deuteronomy 1:28, and were no doubt both large and strongly fortified, and not to be easily taken by the Israelites, had not the Lord been with them, Deuteronomy 9:3.