“And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst.”
Context: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah, and it contains the speeches given by Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. In this chapter, Moses is reminding the Israelites of the covenant they made with God at Mount Sinai.
The Curse: In this verse, Moses refers to “the words of this curse.” Earlier in Deuteronomy, Moses outlined the blessings and curses associated with keeping or breaking the covenant with God (Deuteronomy 28). The curses were the consequences of disobedience and idolatry. Here, Moses warns that if someone hears these curses and arrogantly believes they will not be affected by them, they are deceiving themselves.
Self-Blessing: The verse mentions that when someone hears the curses, they might bless themselves in their heart. This implies that the person convinces themselves that they will be exempt from the consequences and instead believes they will enjoy peace and prosperity. It reflects an attitude of self-assurance and false confidence.
Walking in Imagination: The verse continues by saying that the individual walks “in the imagination of [their] heart.” This phrase signifies living according to one’s own desires and thoughts, rather than following God’s commands. It suggests pursuing selfish ambitions and worldly pleasures, which are contrary to God’s will.
Adding Drunkenness to Thirst: The verse concludes with a metaphorical expression: “to add drunkenness to thirst.” This phrase emphasizes the foolishness of seeking satisfaction and fulfillment in sinful and worldly pursuits. Just as adding more drink to an already thirsty person would not quench their thirst but lead to intoxication, pursuing sinful desires will not bring true satisfaction but rather further emptiness and spiritual intoxication.
Lessons from Deuteronomy 29:19:
- Recognizing the consequences of disobedience: The verse highlights the reality of the curses that come from breaking God’s commands. It reminds us to take the warnings seriously and understand that our actions have consequences.
- Guarding against self-deception: We must be cautious of self-delusion, believing that we will escape the consequences of our disobedience. It is important to honestly evaluate our thoughts and actions, ensuring they align with God’s Word.
- Seeking God’s will over personal desires: The verse warns against living according to the “imagination of [our] hearts.” Instead, we should submit our desires and ambitions to God’s will and follow His commands.
- True fulfillment in God alone: Pursuing worldly pleasures and sinful desires will not bring lasting satisfaction. True fulfillment is found in a relationship with God and living according to His principles.
Overall, Deuteronomy 29:19 serves as a reminder to the Israelites and us to take God’s warnings seriously, guard against self-deception, and seek true fulfillment in God rather than pursuing worldly pleasures.
