Deuteronomy 9:5
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 9:5
5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 9 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of grace, fellowship, covenant. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-29: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 9:5
5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Analysis
Moses continues: 'Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land.' The doubled negation—'not for thy righteousness... not for uprightness'—emphatically refutes any merit-based claim. Instead, two reasons are given: God's judgment on Canaanite wickedness and God's faithfulness to patriarchal promises. The phrase 'perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' grounds the conquest in covenant faithfulness spanning centuries. God's character and promises, not Israel's worthiness, drive redemptive history.
Historical Context
God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 17:1-8) promised land and descendants. God's oath to Isaac (Genesis 26:3-5) and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15) renewed this promise. The Egyptian sojourn and exodus fulfilled part of the promise—deliverance and multiplication. The conquest would complete it—land possession. Throughout, Israel's unfaithfulness (golden calf, rebellion, murmuring) proved their unworthiness, yet God remained faithful. This pattern anticipates the New Covenant in Christ, secured entirely by God's faithfulness, not human merit.
Reflection
- How does understanding salvation as God's gracious work (not human merit) shape your confidence and humility?
- What does God's faithfulness to centuries-old promises teach about His covenant reliability?
Word Studies
- Word: דָּבָר (Davar) H1697 - Word, thing, matter
Cross-References
- References God: Genesis 17:8, 28:13
- References Lord: Genesis 12:7, 15:7
- Righteousness: Titus 3:5
- References Abraham: Exodus 32:13
- Parallel theme: Genesis 13:15, 26:4, Ezekiel 20:14