Deuteronomy 10
DortA relation of making two other tables of the law and the writing of the ten commandments in them as also of the chest or ark wherein they were laid up by Moseh verse 1 &c. the doth of Aaron and the setting apart of the tribes of Levi for the service of the Lord 6moseh is tarrying on the mount 10 a glorious exhortation unto Israel to fear God obey him and love their neighbor especially the stranger as also to labor for knowledge of the true God with divers arguments and motive thereunto 12.
1. At that time [when the Lords wrath was now appeased by the intercession which is related in the end of the former chapter] the Lord said unto me into this mount after that thou shalt make thee a chest [or ark this may be understood of as chest wherein Moseh was to lay the table until that such time that the ark of the covenant Exodus 5:21 should be made of the ark of the covenant itself which God here commanded to be afterwards made] of wood.
2. And I will write upon these tables the words which were on the first table which thou breakest and thou shalt lay them in that chest.
3. So I made a sittim-wood [see Exodus 22 on verse 5] and bewed two tables of stone like unto the first and went to the mount and the two tables were in mine hand.
4. Then he [namely the LORD] wrote upon the table according to the first writing the ten words [that s the ten commandments] which the LORD had spoken unto ye in the mount out of the midst of fire in the day of assembly [as above chapter 9.10] and the LORD gave them unto me.
5. Then I turned myself and came down from the mountains and laid the tables in the chest which I had made and there they are [or were] according as the Lord commanded me.
6. And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth Bere-Jaakana and Moseia [or from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan and Moseia [or from Beeroth that two journeys are joined together albeit they first journeyed from Mosereth and then next from Bere-Jaakan see Numbers 33:31, 32 but it may be there was a place hard by mount Hor wherein Aaron died that was called Moser or Mosera between the journey from Bere-Jaakan and Aarons death upon mount Hor are Numbers 33 sundry journeys and camping recorded see there the same and thirty chapter of Numbers so that this Beeroth Bere-Jaakan mentioned here in this place was perhaps another place then Beereth jakan simply so called which the attentive reader may take into consideration] thee Aaron died and was buried there and Eleazar his son executed the priest office in his stead.
7. From thence they journeyed to Gudgod [called Hor-Gid-god Numbers 33] and from Gudgod to Jothath a land water brooks.
8. At that time the Lord separated the tribes of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord to stand before the face of the Lord [that is to minister unto him as the following words declare in performing of divine service in his habitation compare below chapter 17.12 and 118.5,7 Judges 20:8 1 Kings 17:1 Psalms 134:1 and 135.2 Ezekiel 44:15,16] to minister unto him and to bless in his name and by warrant and authority from him upon his people and the parting of the congregation see Leviticus 9 on verse 23] unto this day.
9. Therefore Levi [that is the tribe of Levi or the Levites] hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren the Lord he is inheritance according as the Lord thy god has spoken unto him [that is that is offered unto the Lord by the other tribes [by that are they to live according to the ordinance of God given concerning it see Numbers 18:20,21,22,23 &c.]
10. And I stayed on the mountain as the former days forty days and forty nights and the Lord hearkened unto me at that time also the lord will not destroy thee.
11. But the Lord said arise and go on the journey before the face of the people that they may go in and inherit the land which they swear unto their fathers to give unto them.
12. Now Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee? But to fear the Lord thy God and walk in his ways [see Genesis 18 on verse 19] to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thine soul [as above chapter 6.5.]
13. To keep the commandments of the Lord and his statutes which I command thee this day for thy good [see above chapter 6.25.]
14. Behold the heaven and the heavens of the heaven [that is the highest heaven as also 1 Kings 8:27 which is called the third heaven 2 Corinthians 12:2 is said to be the heaven of heavens as it is said that Solomon’s high song the song of songs vanity of vanity king of kings servant of servants] is the Lord thy God the earth all that therein is [see Genesis 14:19 Psalms 24:1 and 115.16.]
15. Only the Lord had delight in thy fathers to love them and he chose their seed after them you out of all nations as it is this day [Moseh doth intimate that there was no cause of the election of Israel and of their fathers but the meer good will and pleasure and free grace of God for all his creatures and regard of his creation were equally nigh unto him he stood not in need of any and it was free for him to leave Israel and their fathers in their sinful state and condition as well as others nations and chuse and shew mercies to whom and to what people he pleased compare Exodus 33:19 and above chapter 9.4,5,6 &c. Joshua 24:2,3 Matthew 11:26 Acts 13:17 and 14.16 Romans 9:15 and 11.35 Ephesians 1:5,9,11 &c.]
16. Circumcise then the foreskin of your heart [that is put away from your heart all that opposeth the holy will of God and crucify your flesh compare Jeremiah 4:4 Romans 2:18,29 Colossians 2:11] harden not your neck anymore [of the hardening of necks see exodus 32. On verse 9.]
17. The Lord your God he is a God of gods [that is idols are nothing but this is the only true most high God who also ruleth over all angels and men who in respect of some divine office or ministry are called Gods so Psalms 50:1 compare 1Corinthians 8.5,6 and Revelations 17.14 and 19.16] and the Lord of lords[see Revelations 17.14] that great that mighty and that terrible God who accepteth no face [that is who hath no respect to any outward difference or distinction of men whether any men be rich or poor native or stranger Jew or Pagan &c. see also Leviticus 19 on verse 15] nor receiveth a gift.
18. Who doth [that is executeth] the judgments of the fatherless and of the widow and loveth the stranger to give him bread and raiment.
19. Therefore thou shalt love the stranger for ye were a stranger in the land of Egypt.
20. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God him shalt thou serve and to him shalt thou cleave and swear by his name [see above chapter 6 on verse 13.]
21. he is thy praise [that is who by his grace and mercy giveth thee occasion to praise him and in whom thou hast cause to glory and whose promise thou outset continually to bear in thine heart and mouth compare Jeremiah 17:15] and he is thy God that hath done before those great and terrible things which thine eyes have seen.
22. Thy fathers went down into Egypt [of Egypt see Genesis 12 on verse 10] with the three score and ten souls [that there were no more then three scores and ten persons] now the Lord thy god hath made thee as the stars of heaven in multitude [see genesis 13 on verse 16 and 15.5.]