Deu 9:3-6 | KingComments | STEP | The word “listen” (or “hear”) that this chapter begins with is characteristic of Deuteronomy ( ). It is to call attention to the words of God, to what He has to say. To describe the power of the enemy, Moses uses the same words as the unbelieving spies ( ), for that power is reality. We should not belittle the power of the enemy, but rely on a much greater power: the power of God.

‏ Deuteronomy 9:3-6

The LORD Crosses over Before His People

The word “listen” (or “hear”) that this chapter begins with is characteristic of Deuteronomy (Deu 4:1 ; Deu 5:1 ; Deu 6:3). It is to call attention to the words of God, to what He has to say.

To describe the power of the enemy, Moses uses the same words as the unbelieving spies (Deu 1:28), for that power is reality. We should not belittle the power of the enemy, but rely on a much greater power: the power of God.

Not Because of Their Righteousness

In Deuteronomy 8 the warning is that they should not think that they will have conquered the land by their own power (Deu 8:17). Here is a warning against the thought that they got the land because they are better than the people in the land. Thus, as Christians, we should not think that God has given us spiritual blessings because we are better people than the people around us. As if we are more faithful and by our own merit have received those blessings.

Proof of undeserved grace can be abused by the flesh by interpreting it as proof of its own righteousness and inherent uprightness. God shows that it is not a question of their righteousness, where the flesh can make boast, but that they have entered the land because of the iniquity of the people. Israel is the rod in God’s hand to judge those nations. Later Nebuchadnezzar will be the rod in God’s hand to remove Israel from the land (2Chr 36:20-21).

Another aspect is the promise made to the fathers. That is what we see in the counsel of God. He has intended it and promised it to his fathers. The time of fulfilment of that promise has come.

God emphasizes the fact that there is no righteousness from us that underlies the blessing He has given us (cf. Eze 36:32). That we may now possess blessings is only because Christ defeated our enemies on the cross: “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Col 2:13-15).