Commentary on Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Complete John Calvin (continued)
JOHN CALVIN
should endeavor to oppose them, terror shall possess them all from heaven, so that, in their confusion and astonishment, they shall have no power of resistance.
16. Fear and dread shall fall upon them. Some read this in the optative mood, but with little probability, as it seems to me; for Moses is not so much expressing wishes or prayers, as animating the Israelites to have a good hope, and to be firmly convinced that God would not make an end until He had finished the course of His grace. And this we may fairly apply to ourselves at this time, viz., that God will continue His calling in the elect, until they are brought on to the goal. For the heavenly inheritance, (to which we are called,) answers to "the mountain" of His holiness.166 The same reason, which was just before advanced, is again repeated, viz., that God would not fail His people until the end, because He had "purchased" them to Himself. For the translation "which thou hast possessed" is not so suitable; because although Moses signifies that they are God's peculiar people, yet is their deliverance undoubtedly alleged as the cause of their full redemption; as if he had said, that the people whom God had once undertaken to protect would always be dear to Him.
17. Thou shalt bring them in. The metaphor of planting denotes a firm habitation; as also in Psalm 44:2, "Thou didst drive out the heathen with thine hand, and plantedst" our fathers, and causedst them to take root. Moreover, by his commendatory allusion to the temple, Moses excites in the people's hearts a desire for the land, which was to be God's "Sanctuary;" and by this secret thought attracts them, indifferent as they were, to seek the enjoyment of this great blessing. He also prophesies of Mount Sion many ages before the temple was erected there; from whence we gather that it was not chosen by man's will, but consecrated by the eternal counsel and predestination of God. For it behooved that the gratuitous favor of God should manifest itself as to this place, as well as to men's persons. Thus, in Psalm 78:67, it is said, "He refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim; but chose the tribe of Judah," etc.
Elsewhere also, (Psalm 132:13, 14,) "For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation: this is my rest for ever; here will I dwell, for I have desired it."
But the stability of the temple is also foretold; as in another passage,167 "Thy hand hath founded Zion." (Psalm 87:1.) And God himself declares by Isaiah that He will not suffer Jerusalem to be laid waste, (Isaiah 37:26,)
Sion. — Fr.
It will be seen that the sense, and not the words, of the citation are given.