◄ Deuteronomy 9:6 ►
Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.
Study Bible
Understand, then,
This phrase calls for reflection and comprehension. It emphasizes the importance of grasping the truth being communicated. In the biblical context, understanding is often linked to wisdom and obedience to God’s commands (Proverbs 4:7).

that it is not because of your righteousness
The Israelites are reminded that their moral standing or good deeds are not the reason for receiving the land. This highlights the biblical theme of grace, where God's blessings are not earned but given out of His mercy. This is echoed in the New Testament, where salvation is described as a gift from God, not a result of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

that the LORD your God is giving you
The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. It underscores God's sovereignty and His role as the ultimate giver. The land is a divine gift, fulfilling the promises made to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:7).

this good land to possess,
The "good land" refers to Canaan, a land described as flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). Archaeological evidence supports the fertility and richness of ancient Canaan. The possession of the land is a central theme in Deuteronomy, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.

for you are a stiff-necked people.
"Stiff-necked" is a metaphor for stubbornness and rebellion, often used in the Old Testament to describe Israel's resistance to God's will (Exodus 32:9). This phrase serves as a warning and a call to humility, reminding the Israelites of their past disobedience, such as the golden calf incident (Exodus 32). It also foreshadows the need for a new covenant, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who offers redemption and transformation of the heart (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, delivering God's message to the people. He serves as a mediator between God and Israel.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are being reminded of their rebellious nature and the grace of God in giving them the Promised Land.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It symbolizes God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.

4. God (Yahweh)
The sovereign Lord who is giving the land to the Israelites, not because of their righteousness, but because of His covenant and promises.

5. The Wilderness Journey
The context of this passage is the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, marked by repeated disobedience and rebellion.
Teaching Points
God's Grace Over Human Merit
The Israelites' possession of the land is a result of God's grace, not their righteousness. This teaches us that our blessings are often due to God's grace rather than our own merit.

The Danger of Pride
Recognizing our own "stiff-necked" tendencies can help us remain humble and reliant on God's grace rather than our own perceived righteousness.

Faithfulness of God
God's fulfillment of His promises to Israel despite their rebellion is a testament to His faithfulness. We can trust in God's promises in our own lives, knowing they are not contingent on our perfection.

Self-Examination
This passage encourages us to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion or pride, seeking repentance and alignment with God's will.

Covenant Relationship
Understanding our relationship with God as a covenant relationship helps us appreciate the depth of His commitment to us, despite our shortcomings.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Deuteronomy 9:6 challenge our understanding of righteousness and grace in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we identify with the "stiff-necked" nature of the Israelites, and how can we address these tendencies?

3. How does the concept of grace in Deuteronomy 9:6 connect with the New Testament teachings on salvation by grace through faith?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we remain humble and reliant on God's grace rather than our own achievements?

5. How does understanding God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel encourage us in our personal walk with God today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 3:23
This verse highlights the universal sinfulness of humanity, reinforcing the idea that no one is righteous on their own.

Ephesians 2:8-9
These verses emphasize salvation by grace through faith, not by works, aligning with the message that the Israelites' possession of the land is not due to their righteousness.

Exodus 32:9
This passage describes the Israelites as a "stiff-necked people," echoing the characterization in Deuteronomy 9:6.

Genesis 15:18
God's covenant with Abraham, promising the land to his descendants, underscores the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises despite human unworthiness.

Psalm 106:6-7
This psalm recounts Israel's rebellious history, reminding us of God's mercy and patience.
Sermons
Against Self-Righteous ConceitD. Davies Deuteronomy 9:1-6
The Call to AttentionHenry, MatthewDeuteronomy 9:1-6
The JordanE. Smith, B. A.Deuteronomy 9:1-6
The Policy of ReprobationR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 9:1-6
Self-RighteousnessJ. Orr Deuteronomy 9:4-7
People
Aaron, Anak, Anakites, Isaac, Jacob, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Horeb, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kibroth-hattaavah, Massah, Taberah
Topics
Doesn't, Giveth, Giving, Hast, Neck, Possess, Reward, Righteousness, Stiff, Stiffnecked, Stiff-necked, Stubborn, Understand
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 9:6

     5170   neck
     8355   understanding

Deuteronomy 9:4-6

     6639   election, to salvation

Deuteronomy 9:5-6

     1055   God, grace and mercy

Library
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord and said. Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou--wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray they, out of thy book which than hast written." In the preceding discourse we endeavored to show that the idea of being willing to be damned for the glory of God is not found in the text--that the sentiment is erroneous and absurd--then adduced the constructions which have been put on the text by sundry expositors, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

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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