“The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.”
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and contains Moses’ final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular verse, Moses is warning the people about the consequences of turning away from the covenant with God and engaging in idolatry.
Context: To understand this verse better, it’s important to consider the context of the chapter. In Deuteronomy 29, Moses is renewing the covenant between God and the Israelites. He reminds them of their past experiences and the faithfulness of God, emphasizing the importance of keeping the covenant and obeying God’s commandments.
The LORD will not spare him: This phrase indicates that God will not overlook or show mercy to those who break the covenant and turn to idolatry. It emphasizes the seriousness of the consequences that follow disobedience.
Anger and jealousy of the LORD: When someone breaks the covenant and turns to idolatry, it provokes the anger and jealousy of the LORD. This signifies God’s passion and zeal for His people, desiring their exclusive devotion and worship.
Curses and consequences: The verse states that “all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him.” This refers to the curses and judgments mentioned in the earlier parts of the book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). These curses include various hardships and calamities that would come upon the disobedient, such as sickness, famine, and defeat in battle.
Blotting out the name: The severe consequence of breaking the covenant is that the LORD will blot out the person’s name from under heaven. This signifies a complete removal or erasure of their existence and memory, symbolizing the severity of their punishment.
Overall, Deuteronomy 29:20 serves as a warning to the Israelites about the consequences of turning away from God’s covenant and engaging in idolatry. It emphasizes the importance of wholehearted commitment to God and obedience to His commandments, highlighting the severe judgment that awaits those who choose to forsake the covenant.
