Vv 6-9: An interpolation: Since Aaron was now dead, and Moses
would soon follow him, the listeners would wonder who would then intercede for
them, as Moses did here.
JAAKANITES: Jaakan: a descendant of Seir, the Horite
(1Ch 1:38-42), of Esau (Gen 36). The children of Israel (Jacob) left the
children of Jaakan (Esau).
Deu 10:7
GUDGODAH: "A narrow passage of great affliction": cp
Mat 19:24: "eye of needle". Many Israelites died here (see Psa 90;
91).
Deu 10:16
The first ref in Bible to circumcision of the heart. See Deu
30:6; Lev 26:41; Jer 4:,14; Rom 2:28,29; Col 2:11.
Deu 10:18
THE FATHERLESS... THE WIDOW... THE ALIEN: "This wide
compassion is part of our understanding of God. He giveth His rain to the good
and evil, and causeth His sun to shine on the just and unjust. So the Israelite
must love the Israelite and the stranger, having compassion on every man who was
oppressed. In this Jesus our Lord excelled: his words to the Samaritan woman at
the well, to the Syrophoenician woman whose child was sick, to the woman who was
a sinner, were all examples of his extensive mercy on those in need. If we would
capture this spirit our lives would be enriched. It would increase our
understanding of men, invigorate our preaching, and free us from the sin of
'respect of persons' which besets us in a variety of forms" (MMS
176,177).