Deuteronomy 25:19
When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!
When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you
This phrase indicates a future time of peace and security for Israel, a promise of divine intervention and victory over their adversaries. The concept of "rest" is significant in the Old Testament, often symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His people in the Promised Land. This rest is not merely physical but also spiritual, pointing to a deeper peace found in obedience to God. The idea of rest is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus offers rest to those who come to Him (Matthew 11:28).

in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance
The land is a central theme in the covenant between God and Israel, representing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The term "inheritance" underscores the idea that the land is a gift from God, not earned by Israel's merit but granted by His grace. This inheritance is a type of the eternal inheritance promised to believers in Christ (1 Peter 1:4).

you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven
The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe that attacked Israel shortly after the Exodus (Exodus 17:8-16). Their hostility towards God's people made them a symbol of opposition to God's purposes. The command to "blot out the memory" signifies a complete and total destruction, reflecting the seriousness of their sin against God. This act of judgment is a reminder of God's justice and the ultimate triumph of His will. The Amalekites' enmity is seen as a type of the spiritual warfare believers face, with ultimate victory assured through Christ (Ephesians 6:12).

Do not forget!
This imperative serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and the need to remember God's commands and past deliverances. Forgetting God's works and commands often led Israel into sin and idolatry. The call to remember is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and the consequences of neglecting God's word. In the New Testament, believers are also urged to remember Christ's sacrifice and teachings (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who promises to give His people rest from their enemies.

2. Israel
The chosen people of God, who are to inherit the Promised Land and obey God's commands.

3. Amalek
A nation that opposed Israel during their journey from Egypt, representing persistent opposition to God's people.

4. The Promised Land
The land given by God to the Israelites as an inheritance, symbolizing God's faithfulness and provision.

5. Rest from Enemies
A state of peace and security promised by God, contingent upon Israel's obedience.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness and Justice
God is faithful to His promises, including the promise of rest and justice against those who oppose His people.

The Importance of Obedience
Israel's task to blot out Amalek underscores the necessity of complete obedience to God's commands.

Spiritual Warfare
Amalek represents spiritual opposition; believers are called to be vigilant and proactive in spiritual battles.

Remembering God's Deliverance
The command to "not forget" serves as a reminder to recall God's past deliverance and faithfulness.

Inheritance and Rest
The inheritance of the land and rest from enemies foreshadows the eternal rest and inheritance believers have in Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command to "blot out the memory of Amalek" reflect God's justice and holiness?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "not forgetting" God's past deliverance in our daily lives?

3. How does the concept of rest in Deuteronomy 25:19 relate to the spiritual rest promised in Hebrews 4?

4. What lessons can we learn from Israel's encounters with Amalek about dealing with persistent spiritual opposition?

5. How does the failure of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 serve as a warning for us regarding partial obedience to God's commands?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 17:8-16
This passage recounts the initial encounter between Israel and Amalek, where God promises to blot out Amalek's memory.

1 Samuel 15
King Saul's failure to completely destroy the Amalekites as commanded by God, highlighting the importance of obedience.

Psalm 83:4
A reference to nations conspiring against Israel, similar to Amalek's opposition.

Hebrews 4:9-11
Discusses the concept of rest for God's people, drawing a parallel to the rest promised in the Promised Land.
AmalekJ. Orr Deuteronomy 25:17-19
Cowardice and Cruelty AvengedD. Davies Deuteronomy 25:17-19
The Extermination of the MercilessR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 25:17-19
People
Amalek, Amalekites, Ephah, Moses
Places
Amalek, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Amalek, Am'alek, Blot, Cut, Enemies, Forget, Gives, Giveth, Giving, God's, Heaven, Heavens, Heritage, Inheritance, Memory, Mind, Possess, Rememberance, Remembrance, Rest, Round, Sides, Sky, Surrounding
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 25:19

     8728   enemies, of Israel and Judah

Library
Therefore at that Time, when the Law Also...
27. Therefore at that time, when the Law also, following upon the days of the Patriarchs, [2010] pronounced accursed, whoso raised not up seed in Israel, even he, who could, put it not forth, but yet possessed it. But from the period that the fullness of time hath come, [2011] that it should be said, "Whoso can receive, let him receive," [2012] from that period even unto this present, and from henceforth even unto the end, whoso hath, worketh: whoso shall be unwilling to work, let him not falsely
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
"But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise,--Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth; and in thine heart:' that is, the word of Faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed...
10. Nor, because I called Ruth blessed, Anna more blessed, in that the former married twice, the latter, being soon widowed of her one husband, so lived long, do you straightway also think that you are better than Ruth. Forsooth different in the times of the Prophets was the dispensation of holy females, whom obedience, not lust, forced to marry, for the propagation of the people of God, [2242] that in them Prophets of Christ might be sent beforehand; whereas the People itself also, by those things
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood.

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of those who are Able to Profit Others by virtuous Example in Supreme Rule, but Fly from it in Pursuit of their Own Ease.
For there are some who are eminently endowed with virtues, and for the training of others are exalted by great gifts, who are pure in zeal for chastity, strong in the might of abstinence, filled with the feasts of doctrine, humble in the long-suffering of patience, erect in the fortitude of authority, tender in the grace of loving-kindness, strict in the severity of justice. Truly such as these, if when called they refuse to undertake offices of supreme rule, for the most part deprive themselves
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
^A Matt. I. 1-17. ^a 1 The book of the generation [or genealogy] of Jesus Christ, the son of David [the Messiah was promised to David--II. Sam. vii. 16; John vii. 42], the son of Abraham. [Messiah was also promised to Abraham--Gen. xxii. 18; Gal. iii. 16.] 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren [mentioned here because they were the heads of the tribes for whom especially Matthew wrote his Gospel]; 3 and Judah begat Perez and Zerah [these two were twins]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour,
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
(Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision B. Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection. ^A Matt. XXII. 23-33; ^B Mark XII. 18-27; ^C Luke XX. 27-39. ^a 23 On that day there came { ^b come} unto him ^c certain of the the Sadducees, they that { ^b who} say there is no resurrection [As to the Sadducees, see p. 71. We may regard their attitude toward Christ as expressed by their leader Caiaphas, see p. 528]; and they asked him, saying, 19 Teacher, Moses wrote unto us [See Deut. xxv. 5,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Preaching (iii. ).
Eternal Fulness, overflow to me Till I, Thy vessel, overflow for Thee; For sure the streams that make Thy garden grow Are never fed but by an overflow: Not till Thy prophets with Thyself run o'er Are Israel's watercourses full once more. Again I treat of the sermon. We have looked, my younger Brother and I, at some main secrets and prescriptions for attractive preaching. What shall I more say on the subject of the pulpit? In the first place I will offer a few miscellaneous suggestions, and then
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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