John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God , etc.] To the worship of the Lord your God, as the Targum of Jonathan; attended the service of the sanctuary, were observant of the laws of God, and walked in his statutes and judgments; did not apostatize from him by idolatry or otherwise, but kept close unto him, and followed him fully: are alive everyone of you this day ; which is very remarkable, that in such a vast number of people not one should die in such a space of time, it being several months since that affair happened; and besides, in that time there was a war with the Midianites, and yet not one person died in that war, nor as it seems by this account by any disease or disaster whatever; (see Numbers 31:49).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-23 - The power and love of God to Israel are here made the ground and reaso of a number of cautions and serious warnings; and although there is much reference to their national covenant, yet all may be applied to those who live under the gospel. What are laws made for but to be observed and obeyed? Our obedience as individuals cannot meri salvation; but it is the only evidence that we are partakers of the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ, Considerin how many temptations we are compassed with, and what corrupt desires we have in our bosoms, we have great need to keep our hearts with all diligence. Those cannot walk aright, who walk carelessly. Moses charge particularly to take heed of the sin of idolatry. He shows how weak the temptation would be to those who thought aright; for these pretende gods, the sun, moon, and stars, were only blessings which the Lor their God had imparted to all nations. It is absurd to worship them shall we serve those that were made to serve us? Take heed lest y forget the covenant of the Lord your God. We must take heed lest at an time we forget our religion. Care, caution, and watchfulness, are help against a bad memory.
Original Hebrew ואתם859 הדבקים1695 ביהוה3068 אלהיכם430 חיים2416 כלכם3605 היום׃3117
