| Deuteronomy 4:34
| If God ever did so as to go, and take to himself a nation out of the midst of nations, by temptations, signs, and wonders, by fight, and a strong hand, and stretched-out arm, and horrible visions, according to all the things that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, before thy eyes:
| Temptations. The Chaldean and Arabic understand this of the prodigies which God wrought in favour of his people; though they may also denote the trials to which the Patriarchs and the Hebrews had been exposed, that their virtue might shine more brightly. Many indeed lost courage under these trials, but they were of great service to form a perfect people; and those who continued to lead a virtuous life, received the reward of their labours. (Calmet) --- Visions, during the three days' darkness mentioned, Wisdom 17:9, 18, etc., (Menochius) or those terrible appearances on Sinai, ver. 33, 36., and chap. 5:22. (Calmet) Hebrew may be, "by great terrors." --- In Egypt. God himself fought for his people, when he brought them out of that country. He repeatedly made the king and his people feel the impressions of terror, but as they presently recovered their wonted insolence and pride, he at last miraculously divided the Red Sea, and buried vast multitudes in its waters. (Haydock)
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