“The Lord shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.”
Deuteronomy 28:36 is part of a larger passage known as the blessings and curses of the Mosaic Covenant. In this chapter, Moses addresses the Israelites, outlining the blessings that would come upon them if they obeyed God’s commandments and the curses that would befall them if they disobeyed.
In this particular verse, God warns the Israelites that if they turn away from Him and follow after other gods, they will experience the consequences of their disobedience. They will be brought into a foreign land, which neither they nor their ancestors had known, and there they will serve idols made of wood and stone.
It is important to note that this verse speaks about the potential consequences of disobedience rather than a direct command from God. It reveals God’s warning and the possible outcome if the Israelites fail to remain faithful to Him.
The verse highlights a significant theme found throughout the Bible, which is the importance of exclusive devotion to the one true God. Throughout Israel’s history, they struggled with idolatry, worshiping false gods and engaging in practices contrary to God’s commandments. This verse serves as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and seeking after other gods.
As Christians, we can apply the principles from this verse to our own lives. Though we may not worship physical idols like wood and stone, we can still be tempted to place other things or desires above our devotion to God. It serves as a reminder to prioritize our relationship with God and to guard against any form of idolatry or disobedience that may draw us away from Him.
In summary, Deuteronomy 28:36 warns the Israelites of the consequences they will face if they abandon the worship of the one true God and turn to idols made of wood and stone. It reminds us of the importance of remaining faithful to God and avoiding any form of idolatry in our own lives.
