and went and served other gods, and worshiped them, gods that they didn’t know, and that he had not given to them.
Deuteronomy 29:26
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What does "Deuteronomy 29:26" mean?
This verse, Deuteronomy 29:26, is part of a larger warning about the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant. It's a condemnation of idolatry and breaking the exclusive relationship God established with the Israelites. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"and went and served other gods, and worshiped them..." This speaks to the active choice to abandon the worship of the one true God (Yahweh) and instead dedicate themselves to the service and veneration of other deities. "Went" indicates a conscious turning away from God's commands. "Served" suggests devoting time, energy, and resources to these false gods, offering sacrifices, rituals, and obedience. "Worshiped" implies bowing down, praising, and ascribing divine power to these idols.
"...gods that they didn’t know..." This highlights the absurdity of the Israelites' actions. They were turning to deities that were foreign to their history, traditions, and personal relationship with God. These weren't gods who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt or provided for them in the wilderness. They were essentially embracing the unknown and the untried, based on unfounded promises. It suggests a lack of discernment and a susceptibility to false teachings or cultural influences.
"...and that he had not given to them." This emphasizes that the worship of these gods was not sanctioned or authorized by God. He had explicitly forbidden the worship of any other deity. The term "given" here implies authority and divine provision. God alone has the right to determine who is to be worshiped. He had not bestowed these gods upon the Israelites, meaning they had no legitimate claim to them. It underscores the rebellion and rejection of God's will inherent in their idolatry.
In essence, Deuteronomy 29:26 condemns the Israelites for:
Breaking the covenant: Violating the agreement they made with God to worship Him alone.
Idolatry: Worshipping false gods instead of the one true God.
Disobedience: Rejecting God's explicit commands.
Spiritual ignorance: Embracing deities they knew nothing about and that had no historical or legitimate claim on them.
The verse serves as a strong warning against the dangers of straying from God and the severe consequences that will follow such apostasy. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and exclusive devotion to God, as well as the need to be discerning about the influences and teachings that surround us.
