Law 5: Yahweh’s Laws

Matthew Henry Commentaries

Observe,
How reasonable the conditions of this promise are – only that they should serve their own Sovereign, who was indeed the only true Sovereign, and not the gods of the nations, which were no gods at all, and which they had no reason at all to have any respect for.

They must not worship false gods, but they must utterly overthrow them, in token of their great abhorrence of idolatry, their resolution never to worship idols themselves, and their care to prevent any other from worshipping them; as the converted conjurors burnt their books, Act_19:19. 2.

How rich the particulars of this promise are.

(1.) The comfort of their food. He shall bless thy bread and thy water; and Yahweh’s blessing will make bread and water more refreshing and nourishing than a feast of fat things and wines on the lees (sediment from fermentation of an alcoholic beverage) without that blessing.

(2.) The continuance of their health: “I will take sickness away, either prevent it or remove it. Thy land shall not be visited with epidemical diseases, which are very dreadful, and sometimes have laid countries waste.”

(3.) The increase of their wealth. Their cattle should not be barren, nor cast their young, which is mentioned as an instance of prosperity, Job_21:10.

(4.) The prolonging of their lives to old age: “The number of thy days I will fulfil, and they shall not be cut off in the midst by untimely deaths.” Thus hath holiness the promise of the life that now is.