Annotations.
THe Elders of Israel] in Greeke, the Senate of the sonnes of Israel: compare vers. 9. Here [unspec 1] Moses giveth order for the confirmation of all the Lawes before repeated, by outward signes once to be performed by Israel, when they should be come into Canaan. The end whereof was, to teach them salvation by Christ, & that they should not expect it by the workes of the Law, for that leaveth them under the curse, vers. 26. Gal. 3. 10. all the commandement] that is, commandements, as the Greeke translateth it; or, every commandement. See vers. 10.
Vers. 2. the day] that is, the time, the first op∣portunity. For this rite was fulfilled not the first [unspec 2] day that Israel went into Canaan, but after, as Ios. 8. 30, &c. So day is used for time, Luke 19. 42. set up] or erect, to wit, stones for pillars, as in Exod. 24. 4. to signifie the tribes of Israel; who being brought of God into his good land, were by this extraordinary ••ite to professe their ho∣mage and obedience unto him, otherwise to un∣dergoe the curses of his Law. Which their con∣sciences accusing them of, they might be led unto Christ, for redemption frō the curse. with plaister] or with lime, whiting, that the words of the Law might be written thereon; a memoriall of Gods benefits unto them. This word plaister is used to signifie hypocrisie, as Paul called Ananias a p〈…〉〈…〉∣red (or whited) wall, Acts 23. 3. and the Pharisees are likened to whited (or plaistered) s〈…〉〈…〉 which appeare beautiful outward, &c. Mat. 23. 27. And that seemeth also to be intended here; that all such as seeke life by the workes of the Law (which Israel after did, Rom. 9. 31, 32.) have their hearts with∣in hard and stony, (Ezek. 36. 26.) though out∣wardly they appeare of another nature and co∣lour, and have the profession of the Law upon them, wherein they glory, Rom. 2. 17, 23. There∣fore afterward blessings and cursings are mentio∣ned, vers. 12, 13. but Moses rehearseth none but curses, as being the due of all such hypocrites. And from the last verse of this Chapter, Paul pro∣veth, that as many as are of the workes of the Law, are under the curse, Gal. 3. 10.
Vers. 3. all the words] either the ten comman∣dements called the ten words, Exod. 34. 28. which [unspec 3] are the summe of all Law: or, all the words fol∣lowing in this chapter. See the notes on vers. 8. that thou maist goe in] and consequently pos∣sesse and enjoy the land, which figured heaven: for the Law promiseth life to them that doe it, Rom. 10. 5. though unto man it is unpossible. Or, it may be read, for that thou art come in: as being a reason of this seruice, and of their dutie to keepe the Law. And so the Greeke translateth, When as thou art come in.
Vers. 4. Ebal] or, Gebal; as the Greeke wri∣teth [unspec 4] it, Gaibal: and here the other mount Ger〈…〉〈…〉∣zim. (vers. 12.) is also understood; but because the Curses onely, are after expressed, and they were on mount Ebal, therefore it is named. Of this mount: see v. 12, 13. with plaister] or, with lime, as ver. 2.
Vers. 5. An Altar] to signifie God, the other [unspec 5] party in the covenant, as was at mount Sinai, Ex∣od. 24. 4. and to teach by it, and the sacrifices offe∣red thereon, that there could be no salvation but by Christ, and his sacrifice for remission of sinnes. yron] that is, any yron toole, to hew or polish them, but they should be as they were naturall; to signifie the perfection that should be in Christs humane Nature, whereby hee was acceptable to God, though before men hee seemed altogether deformed, Esay 52. 14. and 53. 2. he was the stone cut out without hands, Dan. 2. 34, 35. And no man might lift up an yron toole upon these stones, to teach that mans wisedome is foolishnesse with God: see the notes on Exod. 20. 25. where the axe of man, polluteth the Altar of God.
Vers. 6. of whole stones] and not of hewen, Exod. [unspec 6] 20. 25. Of such whole or entire stones did Iosua build it, Ios. 8. 31. Burnt-offerings] to obtaine of God by Christ forgivenesse of sins; and sancti∣fication of life: see the Annotations on Lev. 1.
Vers. 7. Peace-offerings] to shew their hope of [unspec 7] peace and prosperity by Christ; and their thanke∣fulnes for his graces: see Lev. 3. eat there] kee∣ping a holy banquet: for the flesh of the peace-offe∣rings were eaten by the owners and Priests, Levit. 7. 15, &c. This taught them the spirituall joy