The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Old Testament reading for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, Deuteronomy 10:12–21, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.
III. How Moses, on the mountain, got the opportunity to admonish the people, and what the character of that reminder was. (v. 10–22)
Annotated Text
12. “Now Israel, what * does the Lord, your God require of you (in gratitude for all such great benefactions), than that you fear the Lord, your God (and guard yourself, that you do not provoke Him with sins), that you walk in all His ways (in His commandments), and love Him (above all creatures), ** and serve the Lord, your God (as a testimony of true love) with all your heart and will all your soul (without hypocrisy, in such a way that you do not think, speak, strive after, do, or begin anything that is not pleasing to this true God);
* Micah 6:8
** Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37.
13. that you keep the commandments of the Lord and His laws, which I give to you today so that it go well with you (that you may be showed with all kinds of goods and rich blessings)!
14. Behold, * heaven and the heaven of heaven (the highest heaven) and earth and everything that is in it belong to the Lord, your God (as the almighty and the all-rich Creator, Ruler, Preserver, and Lord of all things).
* 1 Kings 8:27
15. Nevertheless * He had delight only in your fathers (when there nevertheless were very few of them, and in addition when they were despised before the world), that He loved them (was mercifully disposed toward them), and He elected their seed (their descendants) after them, (namely,) you over all people (because this grace was granted to no other people on earth, for He received you as His peculiar people [cf. 1 Peter 2:9]), ** as it stands today (as it is evident and before our eyes that such has also been granted by Him alone).
* Deuteronomy 7:6, 9:29
** Deuteronomy 4:38 (Exodus 19:5)
16. Therefore, * circumcise now (in a spiritual manner) the foreskin of your heart (lay aside the old man, and put to death the sinful lusts and wicked cravings of the flesh [cf. Ephesians 4:22]), and do not * be further stiff-necked (against God and His commandment).
* Deuteronomy 30:6
** Nehemiah 9:16 (Jeremiah 4:4; Acts 7:51; Romans 2:29; Colossians 2:11
17. For the Lord, your God, is * a God of all gods (over the angels, over the magistrates, and whatever otherwise is called gods), and Lord over all lords (in all the world, who have received all their lordship and authority as a fief from this Lord); a great God (in power), mighty (indeed, almighty) and terrible (of whom all creatures must be afraid), who ** does not consider the person (and those of great reputation in the world), and does not take any bribe (to pervert justice or refuse to punish evil on account of it);
* Psalm 89:7
** Acts 10:34ff. (2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 34:19; Wisdom 6:8; Sirach 35:16; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17)
18. and who executes justice (He helps and stands by) for orphans (for the fatherless and motherless children) and widows (who are otherwise despised and forsaken by everyone), and loves * the stranger (protects, defends, and provides for them), that He gives them food and clothing.
* Psalm 146:9; Exodus 22:21
19. Therefore, you shall also * love the stranger (help protect and provide for them; also receive them faithfully according to this example of your God); for you were also strangers in the land of Egypt (since it pleased you well when people deal with you in a friendly manner, in the same manner you ought now rightly also do to other strangers).
* Exodus 22:21ff.
20. You shall fear the * Lord, your God (you shall dread to sin before Him); you shall serve Him (demonstrate all kinds of submission and honor according to His Word), you shall hang on to Him (with heartfelt trust and pure love), and ** shall swear in His name (affirm and confirm the truth upon the demand of the magistrate).
* Deuteronomy 6:13ff.
** Psalm 63:12 (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8)
21. He is your boast (the One whom you shall praise and boast of continually; in whom you only have to boast, that He is your gracious Father) and your God (your highest good), who has done for you (in your congregation) such great and terrible things (in Egypt and in the wilderness), which your eyes have seen.“
(Exodus 15:2)
Useful Applications
III. CORRECTION: That we ought to circumcise ourselves spiritually, that is, suppress the sinful lusts within us, and lead a new life (v. 16–20).
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 