Deuteronomy 29:17
You saw the abominations and idols among them made of wood and stone, of silver and gold.
You saw
This phrase emphasizes the firsthand experience of the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "saw" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which means to see, perceive, or understand. This implies not just a physical sight but a deeper understanding and acknowledgment of the practices of the surrounding nations. The Israelites were witnesses to the practices that God detested, which serves as a warning to them. In a spiritual sense, this calls believers to be vigilant and discerning about the influences around them.

the abominations
The term "abominations" comes from the Hebrew word "תּוֹעֵבָה" (to'evah), which refers to something detestable or loathsome, especially in a religious or moral sense. In the context of Deuteronomy, it often refers to idolatrous practices and rituals that are offensive to God. Historically, these practices included child sacrifice, temple prostitution, and other acts that violated the covenant relationship between God and His people. For contemporary believers, this serves as a reminder to reject practices and ideologies that are contrary to God's holiness.

and idols
The Hebrew word for "idols" is "גִּלּוּלִים" (gillulim), which literally means "logs" or "blocks," indicating something worthless or lifeless. Idols were physical representations of deities, often crafted from materials like wood, stone, silver, and gold. The use of this term underscores the futility and impotence of these objects of worship. In a modern context, this challenges believers to identify and remove any "idols" in their lives—anything that takes precedence over their relationship with God.

among them
This phrase indicates the pervasive presence of idolatry within the nations surrounding Israel. The Israelites were not isolated from these influences; they were in the midst of them. This historical context highlights the constant temptation and pressure to conform to the practices of the world. For Christians today, it serves as a call to be in the world but not of it, maintaining a distinct identity rooted in Christ.

of wood and stone
These materials were commonly used in the ancient Near East to craft idols. Wood and stone are elements of the earth, created by God, yet they were fashioned into objects of false worship. This highlights the absurdity of worshiping the creation rather than the Creator. Archaeological findings have uncovered numerous such idols, providing insight into the religious practices of ancient cultures. For believers, this is a reminder to worship God in spirit and truth, rather than relying on physical representations.

of silver and gold
Silver and gold were precious metals, often used to adorn idols, making them appear valuable and desirable. However, their material worth did not translate into spiritual power or authority. The allure of wealth and beauty can be a powerful temptation, drawing people away from true worship. In a spiritual sense, this warns against the pursuit of material wealth and status as substitutes for a genuine relationship with God. Believers are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven, where true value lies.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who is delivering the message from God. He is reminding the Israelites of their covenant with God and warning them against idolatry.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God who are being addressed in this passage. They are on the verge of entering the Promised Land and are being reminded of the dangers of idolatry.

3. Moab
The location where Moses is delivering this message. The Israelites are camped in the plains of Moab before crossing into Canaan.

4. Canaan
The Promised Land that the Israelites are about to enter. It is a land filled with pagan nations and their idols.

5. Idols
Objects of worship made from wood, stone, silver, and gold. These represent the false gods of the nations surrounding Israel.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is a recurring temptation for God's people. It represents a turning away from the true God to false, man-made gods. This passage serves as a warning to remain faithful to God alone.

The Nature of Idols
Idols are described as "abominations," highlighting their detestable nature in the sight of God. They are made from materials that are part of creation, emphasizing their impotence compared to the Creator.

Covenant Faithfulness
The Israelites are reminded of their covenant with God. Faithfulness to this covenant requires rejecting the idols of the surrounding nations and remaining devoted to God.

Modern Idolatry
While modern believers may not worship physical idols, anything that takes the place of God in our hearts can become an idol. This includes money, power, relationships, and more.

Spiritual Vigilance
Believers are called to be vigilant in their spiritual lives, constantly examining their hearts to ensure that nothing is taking precedence over their relationship with God.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "idols" that can distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we identify them in our lives?

2. How does the warning against idolatry in Deuteronomy 29:17 relate to the first and second commandments given in Exodus 20?

3. In what ways can we apply the lessons from Deuteronomy 29:17 to maintain covenant faithfulness in our own lives today?

4. How does the New Testament continue the theme of warning against idolatry, and what practical steps can we take to heed these warnings?

5. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to prioritize something over your relationship with God. How did you overcome this temptation, and what did you learn from the experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-4
The Ten Commandments, where God commands the Israelites not to have other gods or make idols.

Isaiah 44:9-20
A passage that mocks the futility of idol worship, emphasizing that idols are man-made and powerless.

1 Corinthians 10:14
Paul’s exhortation to flee from idolatry, showing the continuity of this command in the New Testament.
The Land of Promise Becoming AccursedR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 29:10-28
The Government of God All-EmbracingD. Davies Deuteronomy 29:14-28
The Lying HopeJ. Orr Deuteronomy 29:16-21
People
Gadites, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Manasseh, Manassites, Moses, Og, Pharaoh, Reubenites, Sihon
Places
Admah, Bashan, Egypt, Gomorrah, Heshbon, Horeb, Moab, Sodom, Zeboiim
Topics
Abominations, Detestable, Disgusting, Doings, Gold, Idols, Images, Moreover, Silver, Stone, Wood
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 29:17

     4333   gold
     4363   silver
     4366   stones

Deuteronomy 29:14-21

     5943   self-deception

Deuteronomy 29:16-18

     4552   wood

Deuteronomy 29:17-18

     6103   abomination

Library
Covenant Duties.
It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. The law and covenant of God are co-extensive; and what is enjoined in the one is confirmed in the other. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

God Willing that all Men Should be Saved.
"Who will have all Men to be saved,--." In verse first, the apostle directs "prayers and thanksgivings to be made for all men;"--which he declares to "be good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved." Had salvation been provided for only a part of the human race, prayer and thanksgivings could have been, consistently made only for a part. Those for whom no provision was made, would be in like state with persons who have committed the sin unto death, for
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Parable of the Householder. A Sermon, by Bishop Latimer.
MATTHEW XX.--The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. This parable is written by the evangelist Matthew in the twentieth chapter, and is very dark and hard to be understood; yea, there is no harder piece of scripture written by any evangelist. Therefore it may well be called hard meat; not meat for mowers nor ignorant people, who are not exercised in the word of God. And yet there is no other diversity
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Promises and Threatenings
'And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do. 2. That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Unity of the Divine Essence, and the Trinity of Persons.
Deut. vi. 4.--"Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord."--1 John v. 7. "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one." "Great is the mystery of godliness," 1 Tim. iii. 16. Religion and true godliness is a bundle of excellent mysteries--of things hid from the world, yea, from the wise men of the world, (1 Cor. ii. 6.) and not only so, but secrets in their own nature, the distinct knowledge whereof is not given to saints in this estate
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect. For all his Ways are Judgment. A God of Truth, and Without Iniquity, Just and Right is He.
Deut. xxxii. 4, 5.--"He is the rock, his work is perfect. For all his ways are judgment. A God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children. They are a perverse and crooked generation." "All his ways are judgment," both the ways of his commandments and the ways of his providence, both his word which he hath given as a lantern to men's paths, and his works among men. And this were the blessedness of men, to be found
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Forasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race...
1. Forasmuch as each man is a part of the human race, and human nature is something social, and hath for a great and natural good, the power also of friendship; on this account God willed to create all men out of one, in order that they might be held in their society not only by likeness of kind, but also by bond of kindred. Therefore the first natural bond of human society is man and wife. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
Eighteen and a half centuries ago, and the land which now lies desolate--its bare, grey hills looking into ill-tilled or neglected valleys, its timber cut down, its olive- and vine-clad terraces crumbled into dust, its villages stricken with poverty and squalor, its thoroughfares insecure and deserted, its native population well-nigh gone, and with them its industry, wealth, and strength--presented a scene of beauty, richness, and busy life almost unsurpassed in the then known world. The Rabbis never
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Holy Spirit as a Teacher.
Our Lord Jesus in His last conversation with His disciples before His crucifixion said, "But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John xiv. 26). Here we have a twofold work of the Holy Spirit, teaching and bringing to remembrance the things which Christ had already taught. We will take them in the reverse order. I. The Holy Spirit brings to remembrance
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

"But Whereunto Shall I Liken this Generation?"
Matth. xi. 16.--"But whereunto shall I liken this generation?" When our Lord Jesus, who had the tongue of the learned, and spoke as never man spake, did now and then find a difficulty to express the matter herein contained. "What shall we do?" The matter indeed is of great importance, a soul matter, and therefore of great moment, a mystery, and therefore not easily expressed. No doubt he knows how to paint out this to the life, that we might rather behold it with our eyes, than hear it with our
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Peace
Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I Pet 1:1. Having spoken of the first fruit of sanctification, assurance, I proceed to the second, viz., Peace, Peace be multiplied:' What are the several species or kinds of Peace? Peace, in Scripture, is compared to a river which parts itself into two silver streams. Isa 66:12. I. There is an external peace, and that is, (1.) (Economical, or peace in a family. (2.) Political, or peace in the state. Peace is the nurse of plenty. He maketh peace in thy borders,
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Discourse on Spiritual Food and True Discipleship. Peter's Confession.
(at the Synagogue in Capernaum.) ^D John VI. 22-71. ^d 22 On the morrow [the morrow after Jesus fed the five thousand] the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea [on the east side, opposite Capernaum] saw that there was no other boat there, save one, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples went away alone 23 (howbeit there came boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they ate the bread after that the Lord had given thanks): 24 when the multitude
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

"The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. So Then they that Are
Rom. viii. s 7, 8.--"The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." It is not the least of man's evils, that he knows not how evil he is, therefore the Searcher of the heart of man gives the most perfect account of it, Jer. xvii. 12. "The heart is deceitful above all things," as well as "desperately wicked," two things superlative and excessive in it, bordering upon an infiniteness, such
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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