Deuteronomy 10:22

Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Deuteronomy 10:22 (KJV)

Context

Moses speaks these words to Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He reminds them of their journey from Egypt, where they arrived as a small family of seventy people, to their present state as a vast nation. This history shows God’s faithful care over many generations.

Meaning

The phrase “threescore and ten” means seventy. This number included Jacob, his sons, and their households, as recorded in Genesis 46:27 and Exodus 1:5. The contrast is striking: a tiny group entered Egypt, but now the LORD has made them “as the stars of heaven for multitude.” This image points to something too large to count, showing that God alone caused their growth. The increase was not by human effort but by God’s doing.

Biblical connections

This verse directly fulfills God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, first given in Genesis 15:5 and repeated in Genesis 12:2. The growth of Israel was not by human strength but by God’s covenant faithfulness. The same promise is echoed in Deuteronomy 1:10, where Moses says the LORD has multiplied Israel like the stars. This verse is a testimony to God’s power to multiply and bless.

Application

God can take a small, weak beginning and turn it into something great. Israel’s increase came from God’s power, not their own merit. Believers today can trust that God keeps His promises, even when circumstances seem small or hopeless. This truth guards against pride, because any blessing we receive is a gift from Him. It also encourages us to remember God’s past faithfulness as a foundation for present trust.

Reflection

Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens present trust and obedience. As Israel looked back and saw how God multiplied them, they were called to fear and serve Him. In the same way, recalling God’s works in our own lives encourages us to follow Him faithfully today. God’s faithfulness from a small beginning to a great multitude invites us to rely on Him completely.