"So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:"
Deuteronomy 28 contains blessings and curses that the Israelites would experience based on their obedience or disobedience to God’s commandments. In this particular verse, we see a depiction of the dire consequences that would befall the Israelites due to their disobedience.
Context:Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament, and it primarily consists of Moses’ farewell speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Moses reminds the people of the covenant God made with them and emphasises the importance of obedience to God’s commandments.
Blessings and Curses:Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings that would come upon the Israelites if they obeyed God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Conversely, it also describes the curses that would befall them if they turned away from God’s commands (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The verse in question falls within the section describing the curses.
Severity of the Curses:The curses in Deuteronomy 28 are meant to emphasise the severity of the consequences for disobedience. In verse 54, it speaks of a man who is “tender among you, and very delicate.” This description implies that even someone who is usually gentle and sensitive would be filled with hostility and anger towards his own family members. The phrase “his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave” indicates a breakdown of familial bonds and the deep distress that disobedience would cause within households.
Symbolic Meaning:The verse serves as a stark warning against disobedience. It suggests that God’s judgment would reach such a level that even the closest relationships within a family would be disrupted. This highlights the severity of the consequences for turning away from God and failing to follow His commandments.
It is important to note that Deuteronomy contains historical context specific to the Israelites and their covenant relationship with God. The passage should be understood in its historical and covenantal context, rather than prescribing similar consequences for people today. Nevertheless, it conveys a broader principle about the significance of obedience and the potential consequences of straying from God’s ways.
By studying verses like these, we can learn from the experiences of the Israelites and gain insights into the importance of obedience and the faithfulness of God.
