Deuteronomy 8

The preceding chapter contains especial warnings against idolatry; this chapter against self-sufficiency.

3 by every word. That is to say, by any means, either with or without food, which God may be pleased to appoint. So this passage is used by our Lord, Matt. iv. 4. It is the great lesson of the manna—daily dependence upon God.

4 raiment waxed not old. Some commentators refer to Isa. xlviii. 21 (where it is said “they thirsted not,” i.e., were not left to thirst), as a proof that such a statement is not necessarily to be taken absolutely. And it is certainly true that the garments of the common people, being almost entirely woollen, might have been furnished, in great measure, by their own flocks. They were always well clad, to remember that the ordinary conduct of God’s providence affords as real, and often as striking, evidences of His power and care as miracles do.

7 a good land. Sir George Adam Smith (Historical Geography of the Holy Land) says that Palestine, if not a land of forests, is a land of orchards. All the fruit-trees of the temperate zone flourish in Syria—the apricot, the fig, orange, citron, pomegranate, mulberry, pistachio, almond, and especially the olive and the vine. Some of its wheat-fields are famed throughout the East. Garden vegetables thrive richly wherever there is summer irrigation.

9 brass. i.e., copper.

16 at thy latter end. The design of all God’s dealings with all His people is their final good. The immediate reference is to the great future which lay before the people in the Land of Promise. But this also was typical of eternal blessings.