Deuteronomy 33:26-29 There is none like to the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heaven in your help, and in his excellency on the sky.… Moses the man of God (who had as much reason as ever any mere man had to know both) with his last breath magnifies both the God of Israel and the Israel of God, They are both incomparable in his eye; and we are sure, in this his judgment of both, his eye did not wax dim. I. NO GOD LIKE THE GOD OF ISRAEL. 1. This was the honour of Israel. Every nation boasted of its God, but none had such a God to boast of as Israel had. 2. It was their happiness that they were taken into covenant with such a God. Two things he notes as proofs of the incontestable preeminence of the God of Jeshurun — (1) His sovereign power and authority (ver. 26). (2) His boundless eternity (ver. 27). II. NO PEOPLE LIKE THE ISRAEL OF GOD. 1. Never was people so well seated and sheltered (ver. 27). 2. Never was people so well supported and borne up. The "everlasting arms" shall support — (1) The interests of the Church in general, that they should not sink or be run down. (2) The spirits of particular believers; so that, though they may be oppressed, they shall not be overwhelmed by any trouble. 3. Never was people so well commanded and led on to battle. 4. Never was people so well secured and protected (ver. 28). "Israel then shall dwell in safety alone."(1) Though alone; though they contract no alliances with their neighbours, nor have any reason to expect help or succour from any of them, yet they shall dwell in safety, they shall really be safe, and they shall think themselves so. (2) Because alone; they shall dwell in safety as long as they continue pure and unmixed with the heathen, a singular, and peculiar people. Their distinction from other nations, though it made them like a speckled bird (Jeremiah 12:9), and exposed them to the ill-will of those about them, yet it was really their preservation from the mischief their neighbours wished them, as it kept them under the Divine protection. All that keep close to God shall be kept safe by Him. It is promised that in the kingdom of Christ Israel shall dwell safely (Jeremiah 23:6). 5. Never was people so well provided for. The fountain of Jacob, i.e. the present generation of that people, which is as the fountain to all the streams that shall hereafter descend and be derived from it, shall now presently be fixed upon a good land. The eye of Jacob (so it might be read, for the same word signifies a fountain and an eye) is upon the land of corn and wine, i.e. where they now lay encamped they had Canaan in their eye; it was just before their faces, on the other side the river; and they would have it in their hands and under their feet quickly. 6. Never was people so well helped (ver. 26). They that are added to the Gospel Israel are such as shall be saved (Acts 2:47). 7. Never was people so well armed. God Himself was the shield of their help, by whom they were armed defensively, and sufficiently guarded against all assailants; and He was the sword of their excellency, by whom they were armed offensively, and made both formidable and successful in all their wars. God is called the sword of their excellency, because, in fighting for them, He made them to excel other people; or, because in all He did for them He had an eye to His sanctuary among them, which is called the excellency of Jacob (Psalm 47:4; Ezekiel 24:21; Amos 6:8). Those in whose hearts is the excellency of holiness, have God Himself for their shield and sword, are defended by the whole armour of God; His word is their sword, and faith in it is their shield (Ephesians 6:16, 17). 8. Never was people so well assured of victory over their enemies. They shall be found liars unto thee, i.e. shall be forced to submit to thee sore against their will, so that it will be but a counterfeit submission. Yet the point shall be gained, for thou shalt tread upon their necks (so the Seventy), which we find done (Joshua 10:24). ( Matthew Henry, D. D..) Parallel Verses KJV: There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. |
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