“Because he will not forsake them of his children, he will not spare them, neither will he hide his face from them: but he will eat them up in the siege, and distress them in the straitness of all their straits.”
Deuteronomy 28 contains blessings and curses that God proclaimed to the Israelites through Moses. The chapter begins with a list of blessings that would come upon the Israelites if they obeyed God’s commandments. However, if they turned away from God and disobeyed His laws, they would experience various curses and hardships.
In verse 55, the focus is on the severity of the curses that would befall the Israelites. Let’s break down the verse and explore its meaning:
“Because he will not forsake them of his children”: This phrase indicates that God will not abandon or forsake His people. Despite the severity of the judgment they would face due to their disobedience, God’s commitment to His covenant with the Israelites remains. This statement emphasizes the divine justice that God will carry out upon His chosen people.
“He will not spare them, neither will he hide his face from them”: Here, it means that God will not show mercy or withhold the punishment that they deserve. When God hides His face, it represents His withdrawal of favour and protection. In this context, it signifies that God will not shield the Israelites from the consequences of their actions.
“But he will eat them up in the siege, and distress them in the straitness of all their straits”: This phrase paints a vivid picture of the distress and suffering that would befall the Israelites. It suggests that their enemies would lay siege to their cities, leading to a scarcity of food and resources. The Israelites would experience great distress and tight confinement in all aspects of their lives.
Overall, Deuteronomy 28:55 serves as a stern warning to the Israelites about the consequences of turning away from God and breaking His commandments. It reveals the severity of God’s judgment and the hardships they would face if they chose to disobey Him. It emphasises the importance of obedience and the need for the Israelites to remain faithful to their covenant with God.
It’s important to note that while this verse specifically addresses the Israelites of the Old Testament, Christians today can learn from this passage by recognising the significance of obedience to God’s commands and the consequences that may follow when we turn away from Him.
