“One would have thought that the threatenings in the close of the foregoing chapter had made a full end of the people of Israel, and had left their case for ever desperate; but in this chapter we have a plain intimation of the mercy God had in store from them in the latter days, so that mercy at length rejoices against judgment, and has the last word.” (Commentaries on Deuteronomy, Henry, clxxix)

1. He was delighted in the Israelites return.

2. He will be delighted when they obey his voice.

3. He will delight them with fortunes.

4. He will delight them with mercy.

“It is at this point that the “secrets” of 29:29 are most brilliantly revealed and God’s covenant constancy and his intolerance of sin can be reconciled. The answer lies in grace, an undeserved initiative on God’s part, whereby he sovereignly chooses to bring hopeless sinners back to perfect fellowship.” (The Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Lev-Deut., Comfort, 639)

5. He will delight by gathering all the Israelites.

6. He will delight them by taking them into the land.

7. He will delight them by making them more prosperous and numerous.

8. He will delight them by circumcising their hearts.

9. He will delight in them by putting curses on their foes.

10. The Lord delighted in them by prospering the fruit of the womb, fruit of cattle and fruit of the ground.

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. How does knowing that God delights in you make you feel and encourage you? What other Scriptures encourage you that God delights in you?

2. Which of the ten points mentioned speaks most specifically to your heart today and why?

3. How have you seen God's mercy minister to you?

4. How do we share God's delight with others? What if they believe that God has been judgmental and law-bearing?

5. The last point talks of God making us prosperous by the fruit of the womb, the fruit of cattle, and the fruit of the ground. Does God always do this for all of this? How do we reconcile this when God's provision seemingly abandons us?

6. Is there a way that you can delight in others this week by helping them prosper?