Deuteronomy 28:68 Meaning and Commentary
Deuteronomy 28:68
“The Lord will send you back in ships to Egypt on a journey I said you should never make again. There you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”
Deuteronomy 28:68 Meaning
Deuteronomy 28:68 is a verse that speaks about the consequences of disobedience to God’s commands. It warns of the potential captivity and enslavement of God’s people if they turn away from Him and choose to follow other gods. The verse emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to God and serves as a reminder of the blessings that come with obedience and the consequences of disobedience.
Deuteronomy 28:68 Commentary and Explanation
Deuteronomy 28:68 is a verse that carries profound significance within the larger context of God’s covenant with the Israelites, as outlined in the book of Deuteronomy and throughout the Old Testament. In this verse, we are confronted with a vivid and sobering description of the consequences of disobedience and the severity of God’s judgment.
As we go deeper into this verse, it is crucial to remember the broader context of Deuteronomy. The preceding verses in Deuteronomy 28 paint a picture of blessings and curses, depending on the Israelites’ obedience or disobedience to God’s commandments. The blessings promised for obedience were abundant, encompassing all aspects of life, from agriculture to personal prosperity. However, the curses for disobedience were equally comprehensive, encompassing suffering, destruction, and exile.
Now, turning our attention specifically to Deuteronomy 28:68, this verse describes a horrifying scenario: God would lead the disobedient Israelites back to Egypt, a place of slavery and oppression from which they were liberated. This return journey to Egypt represents a reversal of the Exodus, a stark reminder of their past bondage. The thought of returning to Egypt, a symbol of bondage, serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of disobedience.
This verse also prophesies that the Israelites would offer themselves as slaves but find no buyers. This emphasizes the extent of their degradation and humiliation. They would be so despised and afflicted that even their willingness to become slaves would not attract any takers. This bleak image reinforces the severity of God’s judgment against their disobedience.
Throughout the Bible, we find echoes of this theme of exile and return, which extends beyond the book of Deuteronomy. The prophets, particularly Isaiah and Jeremiah, would later expand on these themes, foretelling the Babylonian exile and the eventual return of a remnant to the Promised Land. Isaiah 52:3 speaks of a similar scenario, “For thus says the Lord: ‘You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.’”
In hindsight, we can see that the fulfillment of this curse in Deuteronomy 28:68 occurred during the Babylonian exile when the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians and forced into exile in a foreign land. This exile was a direct result of their disobedience and idolatry, and it lasted for several decades. Nevertheless, it was also a part of God’s redemptive plan, as He eventually brought the Israelites back to their homeland, fulfilling His promise of restoration.
Deuteronomy 28:68 serves as a stark warning about the consequences of disobedience and the severity of God’s judgment. It reminds us of the importance of obedience to God’s commandments and the enduring nature of His covenant. While the Israelites faced exile and suffering for their disobedience, God’s mercy and faithfulness ultimately prevailed, leading to their restoration. This verse teaches us that even in our darkest moments of disobedience, God’s plan of redemption and restoration remains a central theme in the biblical narrative.
Context of Deuteronomy 28:68
Deuteronomy is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, and is specifically a series of speeches by Moses to the Israelites just before they enter the Promised Land. In these speeches, Moses reiterates the importance of obedience to God’s laws and warns the people about the consequences of disobedience.
In the preceding verses of Deuteronomy 28, Moses describes the blessings that will come upon the Israelites if they faithfully follow God’s commands. However, if they turn away from God and worship other gods, they will experience curses and destruction. Deuteronomy 28:68 serves as a climax of these warnings, describing the utter humiliation and degradation that will come upon the people if they persist in their rebellion.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Deuteronomy 28:68
a) “And the Lord will bring you back in ships to Egypt”: This phrase symbolizes God’s judgment and the consequence of disobedience. The Israelites, who were once set free from slavery in Egypt, will now be brought back there as slaves again. It demonstrates the severity of the punishment for their rebellion.
b) “A journey that I promised that you should never make again”: God had promised the Israelites that they would never have to return to Egypt, as He had delivered them from bondage there. This emphasizes the significance of their disobedience and the breaking of God’s promise.
c) “There you shall offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but there will be no buyer”: This bleak statement indicates the desperation and hopelessness the Israelites will experience as they offer themselves as slaves but find no one willing to buy them. It illustrates the ultimate humiliation and degradation they will endure.
Bible Study on Deuteronomy 28:68
This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obeying God’s commands and the consequences that come from turning away from Him. It shows us that God takes disobedience seriously and that there are severe ramifications for our actions.
As Christians, we can learn from this passage by understanding the importance of remaining faithful to God’s Word. We are called to obey His commands, not out of fear of punishment, but out of love and appreciation for what Christ has done for us on the cross. Our obedience is a response to God’s grace and a reflection of our relationship with Him.
When we face trials or temptations, it is vital to remember the lessons from Deuteronomy 28:68. We should seek to avoid the path of rebellion and instead choose to follow God’s ways. If we make choices that go against His commands, we risk experiencing the negative consequences of our actions.
Biblical Translations of Deuteronomy 28:68
Deuteronomy 28:68 King James Version (KJV)
“And the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.”
Deuteronomy 28:68 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“The Lord will bring you back to Egypt in ships, by the way about which I spoke to you, ‘You will never see it again!’ And there you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but there will be no buyer.”
Deuteronomy 28:68 English Standard Version (ESV)
“And the Lord will bring you back in ships to Egypt, a journey that I promised that you should never make again; and there you shall offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but there will be no buyer.”
Deuteronomy 28:68 New Living Translation (NLT)
“The Lord will exile you and your king to a nation unknown to you and your ancestors. There in exile you will worship gods of wood and stone! You will become an object of horror, ridicule, and mockery among all the nations to which the Lord sends you.”
Deuteronomy 28:68 New King James Version (NKJV)
“And the Lord will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, ‘You shall never see it again.’ And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”
Deuteronomy 28:68 New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)
“The Lord will send you back to Egypt in ships. He will send you there by a way I told you you would never see again. There you will try to sell yourselves as male and female slaves. But no one will buy you.”
Final Thoughts
Deuteronomy 28:68 highlights God’s faithfulness to His promises and His commitment to justice. Although this verse speaks of harsh judgment, it also serves as a powerful reminder of God’s desire for His people to walk in obedience and reap the blessings He has in store for them.
May we always strive to honor God by seeking His guidance, obeying His commands, and remaining faithful even in times of difficulty. Let us learn from the warning in this verse and choose to follow God’s ways, experiencing His abundant blessings rather than the consequences of disobedience.
