Notes from Deut 21

In this chapter provision is made,

I. For the putting away of the guilt of blood from the land, when he that shed it had fled from justice (v. 1-9).
II. For the preserving of the honour of a captive maid (v. 10-14).
III. For the securing of the right of a first-born son, though he were not a favourite (v. 15-17).
IV. For the restraining and punishing of a rebellious son (v. 18-21).
V. For the maintaining of the honour of human bodies, which must not be hanged in chains, but decently buried, even the bodies of the worst malefactors (v. 22, 23).

Notes from Deut 20

This chapter settles the militia, and establishes the laws and ordinances of war,

I. Relating to the soldiers.
1. Those must be encouraged that were drawn up to battle (v. 1-4).
2. Those must be dismissed and sent back again whose private affairs called for their attendance at home (v. 5-7), or whose weakness and timidity unfitted them for service in the field (v. 8, 9).
II. Relating to the enemies they made war with.
1. The treaties they must make with the cities that were far off (v. 10-15).
2. The destruction they must make of the people into whose land they were going (v. 16-18).
3. The care they must take, in besieging cities, not to destroy the fruit-trees (v. 19, 20).

Notes from Deut 19

The laws which Moses had hitherto been repeating and urging mostly concerned the acts of religion and devotion towards God; but here he comes more fully to press the duties of righteousness between man and man. This chapter relates,

I. To the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill' (v. 1-13).
II. To the eighth commandment, "Thou shalt not steal' (v. 14).
III. To the ninth commandment, "Thou shalt not bear false witness,' (v. 15, etc.).

Notes from Deut 18

In this chapter,

I. The rights and revenues of the church are settled, and rules given concerning the Levites' ministration and maintenance (v. 1-8).
II. The caution against the idolatrous abominable customs of the heathen is repeated (v. 9-14).
III. A promise is given them of the spirit of prophecy to continue among them, and to centre at last in Christ the great prophet (v. 15-18).
IV. Wrath threatened against those that despise prophecy (v. 19) or counterfeit it (v. 20), and a rule given for the trial of it (v. 21, 22).

Notes from Deut 17

The charge of this chapter is,

I. Concerning the purity and perfection of all those animals that were offered in sacrifice (v. 1).
II. Concerning the punishment of those that worshipped idols (v. 2-7).
III. Concerning appeals from the inferior courts to the great sanhedrim (v. 8-13).
IV. Concerning the choice and duty of a king (v. 14, etc.).

Notes from Deuteronomy 16

In this chapter we have,

I. A repetition of the laws concerning the three yearly feasts; in particular, that of the passover (v. 1-8). That of pentecost (v. 9-12). That of tabernacles (v. 13-15). And the general law concerning the people's attendance on them (v. 16, 17).
II. The institution of an inferior magistracy, and general rules of justice given to those that were called into office (v. 18-20).
III. A caveat against groves and images (v. 21, 22).

SIGNS OF TRUE REPENTANCE.—Deu_30:8-10

I. True Repentance is accompanied with salutary fear. “If thou shalt hearken,” etc. The penitent does not trifle, but trembles at the word. He is afraid to offend. When God speaks, he listens to learn and obey.

II. True repentance leads to reformation of conduct. “Thou shalt return” (Deu_30:8). No murmuring, hatred, and departure from God, but right views, feelings, and relation to God. Re-tracing one’s steps, turning again. “I will arise and go to my Father.”

III. True repentance is evidenced by sincere obedience to God’s will. “Turn with all thine heart and keep his commandments” Deu_30:10). Self-will destroyed, God’s authority acknowledged, and His will supreme. The heart rightly affected, the life rightly directed, “Bring forth fruits meet for repentance.”

IV. True repentance meets with divine acceptance. “The Lord thy God will make thee plenteous rejoice over thee for good” (Deu_30:9). Sins forgiven, deliverance from enemies, restoration to lost blessings, and divine favours enjoyed: Men unfit to be forgiven, without sorrow for sin, incapable of mercy, if insensible to wrong doing, and resolved not to amend. We are only prepared for blessings ourselves and useful to others by deep personal repentance. Paul, Luther, Bunyan instances. Then are we “plenteous, prosperous in every work of our hand.”