Deprivation and Dominance
28: 38-44
Deprivation and dominance DIG: What does this curse focus on? Why will the people have little to show for their efforts? Why won’t their children be able to help them with their crops? Why will there be a reversal of fortunes with the resident foreigner?
REFLECT: God’s sheer power, as shown in this chapter, makes reverence for Him the logical conclusion. Are you genuinely awed by YHVH’s power? Where in your life this week does reverence for Ha’Shem need to be seen? How can you help this week to see His power?
Moshe then elaborated on the specific conditional curses in verses 28:16-19, which were an elaboration of the specific conditional blessings of 28:3-6. In 28:20-68, Moses pronounced eleven curses that Isra’el would suffer if she did not live wholeheartedly in accordance with God’s mitzvot (to see link click Ez – Statutes, Mitzvot, and Ordinances). Each individual judgment essentially had one goal: to turn Isra’el from disobedience.610
8: Crop failure (28:38-42): This curse concentrates on the economy of the country. The three staple crops of Isra’el – grain, wine, and oil – commonly served as clear indicators of God’s blessing on His servant-nation (Leviticus 26:20; Deuteronomy 6:11, 8:8; Isaiah 5:10; Jeremiah 12:13; Micah 6:15). Both in her agriculture and in her commerce, Isra’el would fail. Her people would work hard but would have little to show for it.
Moses declared: You will carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, because locusts will devour it. You will plant vineyards and dress them but neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. The locusts and worms would obey the sovereign LORD even if Isra’el would not. You will have olive trees throughout your territory but not anoint yourself with the oil, because your olives will fall off unripe. Children, normally used for work on the farms, would be ripped away from their parents. You will father sons and daughters, but they won’t belong to you, because they will go into captivity. The bugs will inherit all your trees and the produce of your land (28:38-42 CJB).
The curse of YHVH would affect every area of Isra’el’s life, so the people would enter upon a path of steady decline, sinking even lower than the most underprivileged of their own community.611 Whereas, earlier Moses compared Isra’el to other nations outside the Land of Promise (28:1, 12-13, 36-37), here, he contrasts the Israelites with resident foreigners who lived in their midst. During the plagues of Egypt (see the commentary on Exodus Bj – The Ten Plagues of Egypt), ADONAI made a clear distinction between the Egyptians and Israelites and protected the Israelites from the disasters that fell on Egypt. The reverse would be true in this curse for the resident foreigner, who would normally be the lowest level in Jewish society, would profit at Isra’el’s expense, becoming a creditor, or the head. The foreigner living with you will rise higher and higher while you sink lower and lower and become debtors. Therefore, the crop failure envisioned in 28:38-42 would lead to an economic collapse so significant that the poor foreigners would be among Isra’el’s creditors. He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he will be the head and you the tail (28:43-44 CJB).612
Dear Heavenly Father, Your love has promised curses/discipline, “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of ADONAI or lose heart when you are corrected by Him, because ADONAI disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He accepts” (Hebrews 12:5-6) as a way to bring the sinner back into the joy of walking in God’s ways. This world will always have illness and sin, but praise You that Yeshua is preparing a home in heaven (John 14:3) for those who love Him. He is the Victorious King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). These illnesses and trials will soon be over. For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18). Heaven’s joy and peace is for all eternity. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Praise You for Your love that reaches out to bring the sinner back into a loving relationship with You. Praise You for accepting a heart repentance. For the grief that God wills brings a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret (Second Corinthians 7:10a-b). You are so loving! I worship You! In Yeshua’s name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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