提要
以色列人高奏凱歌、佔領應許之地的日子近了，但摩西首先要確定他們知道驕傲和自義的危險。因為迦南地的人比他們高大、強壯（9：1~2），因此勝利唯有藉著上帝的大能才可能實現，而不是靠他們自己的力量。主說：「我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全」（林後12：9）。我們這些受造之物是軟弱的器皿，但當上帝的力量運行在我們裡面，我們就成為剛強，並能作得勝者。不過，一旦上帝的能力藉著我們彰顯出來，我們必須小心，要把所有的榮耀歸給祂，一點也不可自取榮耀。
另一個危險，以色列人可能會有一項可怕的錯誤假設，以為上帝將迦南地交給他們是因為他們比其他民族更公義。摩西舉了以色列人過去許多失敗的例子向他們指出，其實他們一點也不義。摩西也告訴他們，自從上帝將他們從埃及地領出來，他們是如何的悖逆上帝，常常惹上帝發怒（9：7）。一個最明顯的例子就是，以色列人與上帝所立的約剛出爐不久，他們就背叛上帝，拜金牛犢，證明自己完全不配作上帝的子民。要不是摩西三番兩次為他們代禱，他們早就被上帝滅絕了，因為他們的行為配不上所蒙的崇高呼召。事實上，以色列人種種失敗的例子更足以說明上帝對他們的大愛、憐憫和信實。
摩西也將以色列人為什麼要去得應許之地的理由說得很清楚：因為該地之人的罪惡，也因為上帝要信守祂對以色列先祖的應許。以色列人要明白，這塊土地是上帝白白的恩賜，而不是他們配得。感謝主，因祂有說不盡的恩典，祂今日也賜給我們宏恩，使我們得享新約的關係。正如摩西保證以色列人能得迦南地為業，藉著上帝的話，我們也能確信有一天我們將承受天上的迦南──不是因為我們的功勞，而是透過耶穌基督的義和祂的力量，所有的榮耀都歸耶穌。上帝的救贖之恩也是一樣：「你們得救是本乎恩，也因著信，這並不是出於自己，乃是上帝所賜的，也不是出於行為，免得有人自誇。」（弗2：8~9）。
摩西渴望看見上帝的百姓與他們的上帝有正確的關係，而能在應許之地享福。他一再強調上帝對祂選民的期望。今天的鑰節就完整而簡潔的道出上帝對祂百姓的期望──過去和現在皆然。上帝這麼愛祂的子民，我們對祂也應報以敬愛、服事、順服和倚靠（10：20）。我們必須丟棄任何會妨礙我們滿足上帝期望的事，而將上帝的律法銘記在心（10：16；參羅2：29）。最後的結果就會使我們得福（10：13），在世得更豐盛的生命，……至終得著永遠的生命和榮耀。
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Overview
Time was at hand for Israel to go in and triumphantly possess the Promised Land, but first Moses wanted to be sure they were aware of the dangers in pride and self-righteousness. They were to know that since the people in the land of Canaan were much larger and stronger than they (9:1-2), victory could be accomplished only through the mighty power of God (9:3), not by their own strength. The Lord has said: “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor.12:9). We, the Lord’s creation, are weak vessels, but we can be made strong and be over comers when His strength works through us. Yet, once God’s power and strength has been revealed through us, we must be careful to give Him all the glory and take none for ourselves.
Another danger for Israel, and a terribly wrong assumption, was in believing that God would give them possession of the land because they were more righteous than any others. Moses gave them various examples of their past failure to show that the opposite was true. He also told them how they had been rebellious against God and had provoked Him ever since He had brought them out of Egypt (9:7). The main illustration used to reveal to Israel their covenant by worshipping the golden calf. Moses explained that had it not been for his intercession on more than one occasion, they would have been destroyed by God, since they had proven themselves unworthy of their high calling. In fact, the repeated examples of their unworthiness served to show all the more the great love, mercy, and faithfulness of God toward them.
Moses made clear the reasons why Israel was to possess the Promised Land: because of the wickedness of the people then living in the land (cf. Gen.15:16) and because of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promise to the Patriarchs. Israel was to realize that the land God was giving them was an unmerited gift of grace and not because they deserved it. Thank the Lord for His wonderful grace, that undeserved favor which He had also granted to those who enjoy the covenant relationship with Him today. Just as Moses assured the Israelites of their possession of Canaan, we too are assured through God’s Word that we will one day inherit the heavenly Canaan, not through our own merit, but through the righteousness and strength of Jesus Christ, to who belongs all the glory. It is just the same with God’s gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph.2:9-9).
Moses desired to see the people of the Lord living in proper relationship with their God, and thus enter the Promised Land and enjoy the blessings of the covenant. He repeatedly stressed what was expected of them as the Lord’s chosen people. The key verse for today’s reading is a complete and concise statement of what was, and still is, expected by God of His people. Just as He loves His chosen ones, we in turn are to love, fear, serve, obey, and cling to Him (10:20). We are to cast away anything that might hinder us from doing this and internalize the Law of God upon our hearts (10:16; cf. Romans 2:29). The end result will be for our own good (10:13), and that is life more abundant while we are yet on this earth and the ultimate result… everlasting life in glory!
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