Deuteronomy 12:9

9 For until this present time you are not come to rest, and to the possession, which the Lord your God will give you.

Deuteronomy 12:9 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:9

For ye are not yet come to the rest
The land of Canaan, which was typical of the rest which remains for the people of God in heaven; for though they now enter into a spiritual rest in Christ, they are not yet come to their eternal rest; they are in a world of trouble, through sin, Satan, and wicked men; but they shall come to it, as Israel did to Canaan; for God has promised and prepared it, and it remains for them; Christ prayed for it, is also gone to prepare it, and the Spirit is the seal and earnest of it, and works up the saints, and makes them meet for it:

and to the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you;
and the land of Canaan being an inheritance, and the gift of God, was also a type of the heavenly inheritance; which saints are now born unto, and have both a right unto, and meetness for, through the righteousness of Christ, and grace of God; but as yet are not entered on it, but that is reserved for them in heaven, and they are preserved and kept for that; and ere long shall inherit it, as the free gift of God their Father to them, and which is peculiar to them as children. Jarchi and Ben Melech by the "rest" understand Shiloh, and by the inheritance Jerusalem; so in the Misnah F6; see ( 1 Chronicles 23:25 ) the Targum of Jonathan is,

``ye are not come to the house of the sanctuary, which is the house of rest, and to the inheritance of the land.''


FOOTNOTES:

F6 Zebachim, c. 14. sect. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. & Bartenora in ib.

Deuteronomy 12:9 In-Context

7 And you shall eat there in the sight of the Lord your God: and you shall rejoice in all things, whereunto you shall put your hand, you and your houses wherein the Lord your God hath blessed you.
8 You shall not do there the things we do here this day, every man that which seemeth good to himself.
9 For until this present time you are not come to rest, and to the possession, which the Lord your God will give you.
10 You shall pass over the Jordan, and shall dwell in the land which the Lord your God will give you, that you may have rest from all enemies round about: and may dwell without any fear,
11 In the place, which the Lord your God shall choose, that his name may be therein. Thither shall you bring all the things that I command you, holocausts, and victims, and tithes, and the firstfruits of your hands: and whatsoever is the choicest in the gifts which you shall vow to the Lord.
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