Deuteronomy 9:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In this passage, Moses urges them not to elevate themselves.

To counter the prideful attitudes of the Israelites and to remind them of their humble beginnings, he emphasizes that the blessings they received were not a result of their own righteousness, but rather a manifestation of God's love for their ancestors and His faithful promises to them. He states, “He will remember His covenant for ever.” Consequently, as the Israelites prepare to enter the promised land, Moses instructs them on how to approach their prosperity. He advises them that when they construct grand cities and accumulate wealth, they should not attribute it to their own merit, but to the covenant made with their forefathers. Pride is a deep-seated issue; hence, God continually addresses it with severity.

In the book of Deuteronomy, which reiterates previous teachings, it clearly reveals that salvation comes not from our deeds or righteousness, but from the grace of God. As the Lord spoke through Moses, “Search not thou in thine heart, when the Lord thy God shall consume these nations before thy face, saying, For my righteousness’ sake hath the Lord led me in to inherit this good land. Not for thy righteousness’ sake, nor for the righteousness of thy heart, but for the wickedness and iniquity of these nations will the Lord drive them out from before thee, and will establish the covenant He swore to your forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore, take heed today that it is not for the sake of thy righteousness that the Lord thy God is giving thee this good land to possess: for thou art a rebellious people.”

He who is just in his own eyes remains humble, unclouded by pride. He has received the healing words of the prophet, which remind us: when the Lord your God drives these nations from your presence, do not say in your heart that it is due to your own righteousness that you possess this land or that the Lord is removing these nations because of their wickedness. It is not due to your righteousness or the goodness of your heart that you will inherit this land, but rather because of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord is expelling them from your sight, fulfilling His covenant sworn to your ancestors (Deuteronomy 9:4-5). This covenant embodies the complete grace of God since He only gives what is perfect: both the virtues and the actions stemming from them are flawless.

We must remain confident, drawing from both our personal experiences and the countless testimonies found in the Holy Scriptures, that we cannot conquer our numerous adversaries through our own abilities alone, without the assistance of God. We must continually acknowledge that any triumph belongs to Him. Moses, acting under the direction of the Lord, reminds us: “When the Lord your God drives them (the nations) out before you, do not say in your heart, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this good land,’ and that it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you.

When the soul becomes attuned and responsive to the covenant, it generates a spirit of humility, acknowledging within itself and confessing that Israel finds its strength and fulfillment solely in God; it is not because of its own righteousness, but due to the greatness of His heart that it is given the promise of the land. It is not through its own power or endeavors that it has attained greatness, but through the Lord God, who provides strength. "Thou shalt make strength" (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). Those who forget the Lord and elevate their hearts will face destruction (Deuteronomy 8:11, 14, 19).