Deuteronomy 34

Notes

[Ver. 1. And Moses went up, &c. Most commentators consider this whole chapter an addition by Joshua, Phinehas, Ezra, or some other prophet; others consider it as the ancient commencement of the book of Joshua, which, by the act of some transcriber, was subjoined as a conclusion to Deuteronomy; whilst others would terminate Deuteronomy with ver. 4, and commence Joshua at ver. 5. But all this is mere conjecture, and, unless aided by an additional conjecture, part must be self-evidently wrong. For unless it be conjectured that Joshua went with Moses, who could tell what Moses saw; or know, or say anything of his death, and the manner or place of burial? But why all this profusion, this waste of unsupported conjecture? especially why such conjecture, seeing a simpler solution lies at the very threshold? Could not the Spirit of the Lord which enabled Moses to summon up and record the past events of the world from the morning of creation, and to foretell the future fates and character of a whole nation, up till this day, enable him also to describe the circumstances that preceded his own death but a few hours, and to foretell the manner of his burial, and to describe his own character, and typical superiority to all other prophets? C.]

Ver. 6. [Buried him in a valley in the land of Moab. This is evidently a special delivery of the Spirit in four particulars. The burial, the valley, Moab, and the neighbourhood of Peor, which serves to strengthen the opinion advanced in the preceding note.—His sepulchre. The conjecture that the tomb of Moses was concealed lest his bones should become objects of idolatry, seems unfounded, inasmuch as hero-worship, or relic or bone worship, never was a sin that beset Israel. They were imitators, not originals, in idolatry. Is it not rather the last Mosaic type of him who was dead, yet hath no tomb? who, being sought, was not found in the grave, but 'risen as he said;' as Moses also certainly was when he appeared on the mount talking with Christ, Mat. 17. 3. C.]

Reflections.—Happy and honoured is the last end of such as have been active and faithful for God in their generation; and their death would be an irremediable loss to churches and nations, if the all-sufficient Jesus did not supply their room. But precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints; and he makes it pleasant and joyful to them, when ushered in with views of the King in his beauty, and of the land that is afar off. But let me not dismiss this wonderful man of God—this deliverer and leader of his people—this mediator between God and Israel—this extraordinary prophet, occasional priest—this lawgiver and king in Jeshurun—till I consider him as a noted figure of my infinitely more glorious and useful Redeemer. He was a proper, a divine child, early and often exposed to danger. O the exile, the reproach, the contradiction of sinners, the persecution even unto death, which he endured! and how divine his support under his unnumbered trials! How amiable his qualities!—his contempt of the world, in its pleasures, honours, or riches—his compassion and tender regard to his injurious brethren—his amazing meekness—his distinguished fidelity—his prudence, boldness, and holy zeal! Solemn and express was his call to his work; and, by a multitude of miracles in favour of his people, and with the most tremendous destruction of his Jewish, heathen, Antichristian, and other enemies, has that call been confirmed. Extensive is the office to which God has appointed him. He is the Almighty Deliverer, who rescues us from the worse than Egyptian slavery of sin, Satan, and the world; and of heathenism and error. He is the all-sufficient Provider, who bestows upon us spiritual entertainment, hidden manna, living water, and unchanging robes of righteousness. He is the Leader given to the people, who opens a safe passage through every Red Sea of difficulty; and by power and prayer subdues every opposer, and brings us not merely to the borders, but to the full enjoyment of our promised, evangelical, spiritual, and eternal rest. Nor can their murmuring unbelief or rebellion ever provoke him to forsake those who have been given to him by his Father. He is the Mediator between God and men, with whom the promise of grace is made; and who confirms it with all by the shedding and sprinkling of his blood. He had his Father's law in his heart, fulfilled it for us, and gives it to us as our rule. He not only fasted and prayed, but died for a stiff-necked and rebellious people. He infallibly prevents our utter rejection. He is the incomparable Prophet, who knows the full mind of God, and can teach us by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, and make us wise unto salvation. He speaks as never man did. He is the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person, which we can behold, and be familiar with, only as veiled with our nature. He is our glorious Priest, who shed his blood, and sprinkled it on the altar, to fulfill Jehovah's justice; and on the book of the law as a command, fulfilling it in our stead; and he sprinkles it on the people's conscience, to purge them from dead works to serve the living God. He authorizes all the true ministers of the church, and consecrates the saints as spiritual priests, and all the ordinances thereof, unto the service of God. He is King and Lawgiver to his Israel indeed, appointing the whole form and ordinances of his church; and to him is the whole government thereof committed by God. His whole life was remarkable for fidelity in the service of God, and his death was marvellous and voluntary. His grave was appointed of God; but in it he saw no corruption; and with him were buried all the ancient ceremonies, the law as a covenant, and the sins of all who believe.