Deep Dive

Deuteronomy 32:36

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For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 36

In this chapter we have, I. The song which Moses, by the appointment of God, delivered to the children of Israel, for a standing admonition to them, to take heed of forsaking God. This takes up most of the chapter, in which we have, 1. The preface (Deu 32:1, Deu 32:2). 2. A high character of God, and, in opposition to that, a bad character of the people of Israel (Deu 32:3-6). 3. A rehearsal of the great things God had done for them, and in opposition to that an account of their ill carriage towards him (Deu 32:7-18). 4. A prediction of the wasting destroying judgments which God would bring upon them for their sins, in which God is here justified by the many aggravations of their impieties (Deu 32:19-33). 5. A promise of the destruction of their enemies and oppressors at last, and the glorious deliverance of a remnant of Israel (Deu 32:36-43). II. The exhortation with which Moses delivered this song to them (Deu 32:41-47). III. The orders God gives to Moses to go up to Mount Nebo and die (Deu 32:48, etc.).

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 36

32:36 will change his mind about: When speaking of God, the Old Testament frequently uses figurative language (see study note on 8:2). Human beings cannot understand God’s mind (Isa 55:8), so God uses human language and gives himself human physical characteristics and feelings. Although the Bible frequently speaks of God’s eyes, arms, hands, and feet, he is invisible and has no body; these metaphors describe his activity. Similarly, when the Bible says that God fears (Deut 32:27) or changes his mind, it expresses how God’s actions appear to humans.

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Psalms 135:14rank 10

For the LORD will vindicate His people and will have compassion on His servants.

Psalms 106:45rank 4

And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.

I Kings 14:10rank 3

Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone!

II Kings 14:26rank 3

For the LORD saw that the affliction of the Israelites, both slave and free, was very bitter. There was no one to help Israel,

Judges 2:18rank 3

Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them.

II Kings 9:8rank 2

The whole house of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, both slave and free, in Israel.

Psalms 7:8rank 2

The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity.

Amos 7:6rank 2

So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen either,” said the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 31:20rank 2

Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

Amos 7:3rank 2

So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said.

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