“Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.”
In this verse, we find Moses delivering a song of warning and admonition to the Israelites before his death. It is part of a larger passage known as the Song of Moses, which spans from Deuteronomy 32:1 to Deuteronomy 32:43. The purpose of this song is to remind the Israelites of God’s faithfulness, their history of rebellion, and the consequences of turning away from Him.
Let’s break down the verse and explore its meaning:
“Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy”: Moses is expressing a hypothetical scenario. He acknowledges that if it were not for the fear of provoking the wrath of the enemies of Israel, he would have acted differently. Here, Moses demonstrates his concern for the people’s well-being and the potential consequences they might face if they continue to rebel against God.
“Lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely”: Moses is concerned about how the enemies of Israel would react if they witnessed Israel’s downfall or defeat. The Hebrew term translated as “strangely” can also mean “misunderstand” or “misperceive.” Moses is cautioning that if Israel were to experience defeat or destruction, their enemies might attribute it to their own strength or dismiss God’s involvement in their affairs.
“And lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this”: Moses expresses his concern that if the enemies of Israel were to witness Israel’s downfall, they might arrogantly claim victory as their own accomplishment. They could potentially boast that their own power or military might had triumphed over the Israelites, disregarding the hand of the Lord in their affairs.
This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging God’s sovereignty and giving Him credit for all victories and deliverance. Moses fears that if Israel experiences defeat or destruction, it may lead others to question God’s power and doubt His involvement in their lives. Moses wanted the Israelites to recognize that God’s hand was evident in their past victories and would continue to be so in the future.
The overall message conveyed in this verse, within the context of the Song of Moses, is a call to remember God’s faithfulness and to remain obedient to Him. Moses desires that the Israelites maintain a right relationship with God, understanding that turning away from Him could lead to dire consequences, including the potential for their adversaries to boast over them.
This verse encourages us to acknowledge God’s involvement in our lives and to give Him the credit He deserves for our victories and deliverance. It reminds us that God’s hand is at work even in challenging situations, and we should always rely on Him rather than our own strength.
By studying and reflecting on this verse, we can gain wisdom and insight into the importance of recognizing God’s sovereignty, maintaining obedience to Him, and avoiding actions that might cause others to question or dismiss God’s power and involvement in our lives.
