291 These are the terms of the Covenant that God commanded Moses to make with the People of Israel in the land of Moab, renewing the Covenant he made with them at Horeb. 2 Moses called all Israel together and said, You've seen with your own eyes everything that God did in Egypt to Pharaoh and his servants, and to the land itself - 3 the massive trials to which you were eyewitnesses, the great signs and miracle-wonders. 4 But God didn't give you an understanding heart or perceptive eyes or attentive ears until right now, this very day. 5 I took you through the wilderness for forty years and through all that time the clothes on your backs didn't wear out, the sandals on your feet didn't wear out, 6 and you lived well without bread and wine and beer, proving to you that I am in fact God, your God. 7 When you arrived here in this place, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan met us primed for war but we beat them. 8 We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 9 Diligently keep the words of this Covenant. Do what they say so that you will live well and wisely in every detail.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 29:1-9
Commentary on Deuteronomy 29:1-9
(Read Deuteronomy 29:1-9)
Both former mercies, and fresh mercies, should be thought on by us as motives to obedience. The hearing ear, and seeing eye, and the understanding heart, are the gift of God. All that have them, have them from him. God gives not only food and raiment, but wealth and large possessions, to many to whom he does not give grace. Many enjoy the gifts, who have not hearts to perceive the Giver, nor the true design and use of the gifts. We are bound, in gratitude and interest, as well as in duty and faithfulness, to keep the words of the covenant.