Deuteronomy 29:19 - and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart, to destroy the moist with the dry.”

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 29:19

What does "Deuteronomy 29:19" mean?


Deuteronomy 29:19 describes a dangerous form of self-deception. Let's break down the verse:

"and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse...": This refers to the covenant curses outlined in the preceding chapters of Deuteronomy. These curses are the consequences of disobedience to God's law.

"...that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart...": This is the crux of the verse. The individual hears the potential for terrible consequences (the curses) but, in their heart, they tell themselves that everything will be fine, even though they intend to continue living according to their own desires (stubbornness). They delude themselves into believing they can disobey God without suffering consequences.

"...to destroy the moist with the dry.”: This phrase is somewhat debated in interpretation, but it's generally understood to symbolize the thoroughness of the destruction that will follow. "Moist" could represent life, fertility, or potential for growth, while "dry" represents barrenness or desolation. "To destroy the moist with the dry" suggests bringing complete ruin, impacting both the thriving and the already struggling aspects of life.
Some interpretations also see "moist" as the righteous and "dry" as the wicked, implying that the disobedient will bring destruction not only on themselves but also on others around them, even the innocent.

In essence, the verse warns against:

Self-deception: The individual is lying to themselves about the consequences of their actions.
Presumption: They presume upon God's grace or think they can outsmart the system.
Willful disobedience: They are choosing to disregard God's law despite knowing the potential consequences.
The spread of corruption: Their actions will have a destructive impact beyond just themselves.

The Significance:

This verse is a warning against complacency and spiritual arrogance. It highlights the danger of thinking that one can live a life of disobedience and still be blessed. It emphasizes the importance of humility, repentance, and obedience to God's word. It serves as a reminder that actions have consequences and that sin always leads to destruction, both personally and potentially societally. The person believes they can pick and choose the rules they follow, and still be at peace with God, which is not true.