Deuteronomy 31:20 - For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat; then they will turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.
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What does "Deuteronomy 31:20" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 31:20 is a prophetic warning from God to Moses about the future behavior of the Israelites after they enter the Promised Land. It's a rather cynical and pessimistic prediction, outlining a cycle of disobedience driven by prosperity. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey..." God is reminding Moses (and the reader) of the promise he made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give their descendants a bountiful land. "Flowing with milk and honey" is a common biblical idiom for a land of abundance and prosperity.
"...and they have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat..." This describes a state of material comfort and abundance. The Israelites will enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land and become well-fed and prosperous. "Grown fat" isn't necessarily about physical weight; it symbolizes being complacent, self-satisfied, and perhaps arrogant due to their good fortune.
"...then they will turn to other gods, and serve them..." This is the core of the warning. Instead of being grateful to God for their prosperity, the Israelites will be tempted to worship other gods. This refers to the gods of the surrounding Canaanite cultures, which often involved rituals and practices that were contrary to God's commands.
"...and despise me..." Turning to other gods is not just a neutral act of religious preference; it's an act of rejection and contempt towards God. They are essentially saying that their own comfort and desires are more important than their relationship with God.
"...and break my covenant." The covenant is the agreement God made with the Israelites, promising them blessings in exchange for their obedience. By worshipping other gods, they are breaking their end of the bargain and forfeiting the blessings associated with the covenant.
In essence, the verse is saying:
God predicts that the Israelites, despite experiencing his blessings and fulfilling his promises, will become complacent and ungrateful.
Their prosperity will lead them to turn away from God and worship other gods.
This act of idolatry constitutes a rejection of God and a violation of the covenant they made with him.
Theological Implications:
Human Nature: The verse highlights the human tendency to forget God when things are going well. It suggests that prosperity can be a test of faith, revealing whether our hearts are truly devoted to God or to material comfort.
Idolatry: It warns against the dangers of idolatry, not just in the form of worshipping false gods, but also in the form of prioritizing wealth, pleasure, or other earthly things above God.
Consequences of Disobedience: It foreshadows the consequences that will follow the Israelites' disobedience, including judgment and hardship.
The verse serves as a cautionary tale for all believers, reminding us to remain humble, grateful, and faithful to God, even in times of prosperity. It reminds us that material blessings should not lead us away from God but should instead draw us closer to him in gratitude and worship.
Deuteronomy 31:20 - For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat; then they will turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.
What does "Deuteronomy 31:20" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 31:20 is a prophetic warning from God to Moses about the future behavior of the Israelites after they enter the Promised Land. It's a rather cynical and pessimistic prediction, outlining a cycle of disobedience driven by prosperity. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey..." God is reminding Moses (and the reader) of the promise he made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give their descendants a bountiful land. "Flowing with milk and honey" is a common biblical idiom for a land of abundance and prosperity.
"...and they have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat..." This describes a state of material comfort and abundance. The Israelites will enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land and become well-fed and prosperous. "Grown fat" isn't necessarily about physical weight; it symbolizes being complacent, self-satisfied, and perhaps arrogant due to their good fortune.
"...then they will turn to other gods, and serve them..." This is the core of the warning. Instead of being grateful to God for their prosperity, the Israelites will be tempted to worship other gods. This refers to the gods of the surrounding Canaanite cultures, which often involved rituals and practices that were contrary to God's commands.
"...and despise me..." Turning to other gods is not just a neutral act of religious preference; it's an act of rejection and contempt towards God. They are essentially saying that their own comfort and desires are more important than their relationship with God.
"...and break my covenant." The covenant is the agreement God made with the Israelites, promising them blessings in exchange for their obedience. By worshipping other gods, they are breaking their end of the bargain and forfeiting the blessings associated with the covenant.
In essence, the verse is saying:
God predicts that the Israelites, despite experiencing his blessings and fulfilling his promises, will become complacent and ungrateful.
Their prosperity will lead them to turn away from God and worship other gods.
This act of idolatry constitutes a rejection of God and a violation of the covenant they made with him.
Theological Implications:
Human Nature: The verse highlights the human tendency to forget God when things are going well. It suggests that prosperity can be a test of faith, revealing whether our hearts are truly devoted to God or to material comfort.
Idolatry: It warns against the dangers of idolatry, not just in the form of worshipping false gods, but also in the form of prioritizing wealth, pleasure, or other earthly things above God.
Consequences of Disobedience: It foreshadows the consequences that will follow the Israelites' disobedience, including judgment and hardship.
The verse serves as a cautionary tale for all believers, reminding us to remain humble, grateful, and faithful to God, even in times of prosperity. It reminds us that material blessings should not lead us away from God but should instead draw us closer to him in gratitude and worship.