“And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed forever.”
Deuteronomy 28 is part of Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites, delivered just before they entered the Promised Land. In this chapter, Moses outlines a series of blessings that will come upon the Israelites if they obey God’s commandments and follow His ways. Conversely, he also warns them of the curses that will befall them if they turn away from God and His commandments.
Deuteronomy 28:46 falls within the section of curses, specifically verses 45-48. Let’s examine the verse in its broader context to gain a better understanding:
Deuteronomy 28:45-48 (KJV): “Moreover, all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee. And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.”
This passage is a warning of the severe consequences that would come upon the Israelites if they failed to faithfully obey God’s commandments. It emphasizes that these curses would be relentless, pursuing them until their destruction. The curses would manifest in various aspects of their lives, including servitude to their enemies, hunger, thirst, nakedness, and lack of basic necessities.
Now, let’s focus on the specific phrase in question: “And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed forever.” This statement implies that the curses would not only affect the current generation but would also extend to future generations, symbolized by “thy seed” or descendants.
The phrase “for a sign and for a wonder” suggests that these curses would serve as a visible testimony or evidence of God’s judgment upon the Israelites for their disobedience. The severity and enduring nature of the curses would make them remarkable, causing others to take notice and recognize the consequences of turning away from God’s ways.
The phrase “upon thy seed forever” indicates that the consequences of disobedience would extend beyond the immediate generation and continue to impact subsequent generations. However, it’s important to note that this verse should not be interpreted as implying an eternal curse upon all Israelites. Throughout the Bible, we find instances where God offers forgiveness, restoration, and the opportunity for redemption to those who repent and turn back to Him.
In summary, Deuteronomy 28:46 is a solemn warning to the Israelites about the consequences of failing to follow God’s commandments. The verse emphasizes that these curses would serve as a visible testimony, causing wonder and serving as a sign to future generations of the judgment resulting from disobedience. Nevertheless, the broader biblical context also highlights God’s mercy and the possibility of repentance and restoration for those who turn back to Him.
