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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Deuteronomy 28:1–14. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The blessings are here put before the curses, to intimate, 1. That God is slow to anger, but swift to show mercy: he has said it, and sworn, that he would much rather we would obey and live than sin and die. It is his delight to bless. 2. That though both the promises and the threatenings are designed to bring and hold us to our duty, yet it is better that we be allured to that which is good by a filial hope of God's favour than that we be frightened to it by a servile fear of his wrath. That obedience pleases best which comes from a principle of delight in God's goodness. Now,
I.We have here the conditions upon which the blessing is promised.
1.It is upon condition that they diligently hearken to the voice of God (Deu 28:1, Deu 28:2), that they hear God speaking to them by his word, and use their utmost endeavours to acquaint themselves with his will, Deu 28:13.
2.Upon condition that they observe and do all his commandments (and in order to obedience there is need of observation) and that theykeep the commandments of God (Deu 28:9) and walk in his ways. Not only do them for once, but keep them for ever; not only set out in his ways, but walk in them to the end.
3.Upon condition that they should not go aside either to the right hand or to the left, either to superstition on the one hand, or profaneness on the other; and particularly that they should not go after other gods (Deu 28:14), which was the sin that of all others they were most prone to, and God would be most displeased with. Let them take care to keep up religion, both the form and power of it, in their families and nation, and God would not fail to bless them.
II.The particulars of this blessing.
1.It is promised that the providence of God should prosper them in all their outward concerns. These blessings are said to overtake them, Deu 28:2. Good people sometimes, under the sense of their unworthiness, are ready to fly from the blessing and to conclude that it belongs not to them,; but the blessing shall find them out and follow them notwithstanding. Thus in the great day the blessing will overtake the righteous that say, Lord, when saw we thee hungry and fed thee? Mat 25:37. Observe,
(1.)Several things are enumerated in which God by his providence would bless them: - [1.] They should be safe and easy; a blessing should rest upon their persons wherever they were, in the city, or in the field, Deu 28:3. Whether their habitation was in town or country, whether they were husbandmen or tradesmen, whether their business called them into the city or into the field, they should be preserved from the dangers and have the comforts of their condition. This blessing should attend them in their journeys, going out and coming in, Deu 28:6. Their persons should be protected, and the affair they went about should succeed well. Observe here, What a necessary and constant dependence we have upon God both for the continuance and comfort of this life. We need him at every turn, in all the various movements of life; we cannot be safe if he withdraw his protection, nor easy if he suspend his favour; but, if he bless us, go where we will it is well with us. [2.] Their families should be built up in a numerous issue: blessed shall be the fruit of thy body (Deu 28:4), and in that the Lord shall make thee plenteous (Deu 28:11), in pursuance of the promise made to Abraham, that his seed should be as the stars of heaven for multitude, and that God would be a God to them, than which a greater blessing, and more comprehensive, could not be entailed upon the fruit of their body. See Isa 61:9. [3.] They should be rich, and have an abundance of all the good things of this life, which are promised them, not merely that they might have the pleasure of enjoying them, but (as bishop Patrick observes out of one of the Jewish writers) that they might have wherewithal to honour God, and might be helped and encouraged to serve him cheerfully and to proceed and persevere in their obedience to him. A blessing is promised, First, On all they had without doors, corn and cattle in the field (Deu 28:4, Deu 28:11), their cows and sheep particularly, which would be blessed for the owners' sakes, and made blessings to them. In order to this, it is promised that God would give them rain in due season, which is called his good treasure (Deu 28:12), because with this river of God the earth is enriched, Psa 65:9. Our constant supplies we must see coming from God's good treasure, and own our obligations to him for them; if he withhold his rain, the fruits both of the ground and of the cattle soon perish. Secondly, On all they had within doors, the basket and the store (Deu 28:5), the store-houses or barns, Deu 28:8. When it is brought home, God will bless it, and not blow upon it as sometimes he does, Hag 1:6, Hag 1:9. We depend upon God and his blessing, not only for our yearly corn out of the field, but for our daily bread out of our basket and store, and therefore are taught to pray for it every day. [4.] They should have success in all their employments, which would be a constant satisfaction to them: "The Lord shall command the blessing (and it is he only that can command it) upon thee, not only in all thou hast, but in all thou doest, all that thou settest thy hand to," Deu 28:8. This intimated that even when they were rich they must not be idle, but must find some good employment or other to set their hand to, and God would own their industry, and bless the work of their hand (Deu 28:12); for that which makes rich, and keeps so, is the blessing of the Lord upon the hand of the diligent, Pro 10:4, Pro 10:22. [5.] They should have honour among their neighbours (Deu 28:1): The Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations. He made them so, by taking them into covenant with himself, Deu 26:19. And he would make them more and more so by their outward prosperity, if they would not by sin disparage themselves. Two things should help to make them great among the nations: - First, Their wealth (Deu 28:12): "Thou shalt lend to many nations upon interest" (which they were allowed to take form the neighbouring nations), "but thou shalt not have occasion to borrow." This would give them great influence with all about them; for the borrower is servant to the lender. It may be meant of trade and commerce, that they should export abundantly more than they should import, which would keep the balance on their side. Secondly, Their power (Deu 28:13): "The Lord shall make thee the head, to give law to all about thee, to exact tribute, and to arbitrate all controversies." Every sheaf should bow to theirs, which would make them so considerable that all the people of the earth would be afraid of them (Deu 28:10), that is, would reverence their true grandeur, and dread making them their enemies. The flourishing of religion among them, and the blessing of God upon them, would make them formidable to all their neighbours, terrible as an army with banners. [6.] They should be victorious over their enemies, and prosper in all their wars. If any were so daring as to rise up against them to oppress them, or encroach upon them, it should be at their peril, they should certainly fall before them, Deu 28:7. The forces of the enemy, though entirely drawn up to come against them one way, should be entirely routed, and flee before them seven ways, each making the best of his way.
(2.)From the whole we learn (though it were well if men would believe it) that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity. Though temporal blessings do not take up so much room in the promises of the New Testament as they do in those of the Old, yet it is enough that our Lord Jesus has given us his word (and surely we may take his word) that if we seek first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, all other things shall be added to us, as far as Infinite Wisdom sees good; and who can desire them further? Mat 6:33.
2.It is likewise promised that the grace of God should establish them a holy people, Deu 28:9. Having taken them into covenant with himself, he would keep them in covenant; and, provided they used the means of stedfastness, he would give them the grace of steadfastness, that they should not depart from him. Note, Those that are sincere in holiness God will establish in holiness; and he is of power to do it, Rom 16:25. He that is holy shall be holy still; and those whom God establishes in holiness he thereby establishes a people to himself, for a long as we keep close to God he will never forsake us. This establishment of their religion would be the establishment of their reputation (Deu 28:10): All the people of the earth shall see, and own, that thou art called by the name of the Lord, that is, "that thou art a most excellent and glorious people, under the particular care and countenance of the great God. They shall be made to know that a people called by the name Jehovah are without doubt the happiest people under the sun, even their enemies themselves being judges." The favourites of Heaven are truly great, and, first or last, it will be made to appear that they are so, if not in this world, yet at that day when those who confess Christ now shall be confessed by him before men and angels, as those whom he delights to honour.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
[Daniel 9:11] "'And (the curse) has come upon us drop by drop.'" That is, Thou hast not poured out upon us all of Thy wrath, for we should not have been able to bear it, but Thou hast poured forth a mere droplet of Thy fury, in order that we might return unto Thee once we have been immeshed in Thy snare.
"'The malediction and the curse which were written in the book of Moses, the servant of God...'" In Deuteronomy we read the curses and blessings of the Lord (Deuteronomy 27:11-28:14), which were afterwards uttered in Mount Gerizim and Ebal upon the righteous and upon the sinners.
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Summary
Deuteronomy 28:14 serves as the climactic concluding stipulation to the blessings section of the Mosaic Covenant, underscoring the absolute necessity of unwavering fidelity to God's revealed commands. It sternly prohibits any deviation, whether slight or significant, from the divine path, explicitly linking such departure to the grave danger of pursuing and serving "other gods." This verse encapsulates the foundational demand for exclusive loyalty to Yahweh, establishing the critical boundary beyond which covenant blessings cease and severe consequences, detailed in the subsequent curses, begin.
Context
Literary Context
Deuteronomy 28 stands as the powerful culmination of Moses' second major discourse to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just prior to their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter meticulously outlines the covenant's reciprocal nature, detailing the abundant blessings contingent upon obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and the dire curses resulting from disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Verse 14 functions as the final, emphatic summation of the conditions for receiving divine favor, serving as a critical hinge before the dramatic transition to the covenant curses. It directly builds upon the promise in Deuteronomy 28:13 that Israel will be "the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath," explicitly tying this exalted status to their strict adherence to God's law. Thus, this verse underscores the non-negotiable and comprehensive nature of the covenant's demands, leaving no room for compromise.
Historical & Cultural Context
Moses addresses a generation on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land saturated with diverse Canaanite cultures deeply rooted in polytheistic and idolatrous practices. These societies worshipped a pantheon of deities, often associated with natural forces, fertility, and warfare, engaging in rituals that included cultic prostitution and even child sacrifice. Against this pervasive backdrop, the command in Deuteronomy 28:14 to "not go aside from any of the words... to go after other gods to serve them" was a radical call for spiritual and cultural distinctiveness. Israel's unique identity as Yahweh's chosen people was fundamentally predicated on their exclusive worship of Him, setting them apart from their pagan neighbors. The idiom "to the right hand, or to the left" was a common ancient Near Eastern expression signifying a prescribed path or decree, from which any deviation was considered a transgression against divine or royal authority, emphasizing the absolute precision required in following God's commands.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, Absolute Obedience is paramount; the phrase "not go aside from any of the words... to the right hand, or to the left" is a vivid idiom signifying strict, undeviating adherence to God's statutes, echoing similar calls for precision in following divine instruction found in Joshua 1:7. Secondly, Monotheism and Exclusive Worship are unequivocally underscored, directly prohibiting the worship of "other gods." This reinforces the First Commandment, demanding singular devotion to Yahweh and rejecting any form of syncretism. Finally, Covenant Fidelity is a pervasive theme, as Israel's national prosperity, security, and continued possession of the land were directly tied to their unwavering faithfulness to God's instructions and their avoidance of the idolatry prevalent among surrounding nations, a warning reiterated throughout Deuteronomy 7.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb signifies "to turn off," "to deviate," or "to depart." In the context of Deuteronomy 28:14, it implies an intentional swerving or straying from a clearly defined path or standard. It's not merely a passive drifting but an active choice to move away from God's commands. The negative imperative ("shalt not go aside") emphasizes the absolute prohibition against any form of deviation, however slight, from the divine will.
This term refers to the totality of God's commands, statutes, and judgments revealed through Moses. It encompasses the entire body of divine law and instruction, not merely a select few. The phrase "any of the words" highlights the comprehensive nature of God's expectation—obedience is required in every detail, leaving no room for selective adherence or personal interpretation that deviates from the established divine standard.
In this context, "gods" refers to the foreign deities, false gods, and idols worshipped by the surrounding nations. The pursuit and service of these "other gods" (with "other" being ʼachêr, meaning "hinder" or "next," thus "strange" or "different") represents spiritual infidelity and a fundamental breach of the covenant's primary demand for exclusive worship of Yahweh. It highlights the ultimate danger and consequence of turning aside from God's true path.
Verse Breakdown
"And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day"
This foundational clause establishes a comprehensive and absolute prohibition. "The words" refer to the entirety of the Mosaic Law, freshly reiterated "this day" during the covenant renewal at Moab. The command forbids any deviation whatsoever, underscoring the totality and non-negotiable nature of God's instructions. Israel is called to precise and unwavering adherence to the divine standard, acknowledging God's absolute authority.
"[to] the right hand, or [to] the left"
This is a powerful and widely understood idiom in the ancient Near East, signifying strict, undeviating adherence. It means "in no direction whatsoever," or "not even slightly." It precludes any form of compromise, adaptation, or reinterpretation that would lead one away from the straight path of God's will. It underscores that obedience is not merely about avoiding major transgressions but also about maintaining fidelity in seemingly minor details, emphasizing the narrowness of the path of righteousness.
"to go after other gods to serve them"
This final phrase reveals the ultimate purpose and grave danger inherent in any deviation from God's commands. The primary temptation and inevitable consequence of turning, even slightly, from God's path is the allure of idolatry. "Going after" implies active pursuit, allegiance, and worship, while "to serve them" denotes active devotion, submission, and even enslavement. This highlights that the core of the covenant is exclusive worship of Yahweh, and any deviation from His commands inevitably leads to spiritual infidelity and the worship of false deities, a direct violation of the First Commandment.
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and foundational message. The most prominent is Idiom, specifically the phrase "to the right hand, or to the left." This ancient Near Eastern expression powerfully communicates the idea of absolute adherence, leaving no room for deviation or compromise. It functions as a vivid metaphor for staying precisely on the path God has laid out. The verse also utilizes Emphasis through the comprehensive scope of "any of the words" and the double negative construction inherent in "shalt not go aside... to the right hand, or to the left," underscoring the totality of the required obedience. Furthermore, there is a clear Cause and Effect relationship implied: deviation from God's words (the cause) leads directly to the pursuit and service of "other gods" (the effect). This logical progression serves as a stark warning. The entire verse functions as a direct Exhortation or command, characterized by its imperative mood, demanding immediate and unwavering action and loyalty from the covenant community.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Deuteronomy 28:14 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine authority and human responsibility within a covenant relationship. It underscores that true worship of Yahweh necessitates exclusive devotion, leaving absolutely no room for syncretism, divided loyalties, or even slight compromises. The prohibition against turning "to the right hand, or to the left" signifies that God's revealed will is the sole and sufficient standard for life and faith, and any departure from it, however seemingly minor or well-intentioned, carries the inherent danger of leading to spiritual idolatry. This verse reinforces the concept of God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for an undiluted, wholehearted commitment from His people, making it clear that their well-being, identity, and continued existence as His chosen nation are directly contingent upon their unwavering fidelity to His commands and their rejection of all competing allegiances.
Reflection and Application
Deuteronomy 28:14 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, transcending its original covenantal context to speak to the enduring principles of discipleship and spiritual integrity. While we are no longer under the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation, the call for undivided loyalty and precise adherence to God's revealed truth is an eternal principle of faith. In a world saturated with competing ideologies, pervasive distractions, and subtle temptations, this verse challenges us to examine where our allegiances truly lie. Modern "other gods" may not be carved idols but can manifest as materialism, self-worship, career ambition, personal comfort, social acceptance, or anything that subtly or overtly takes precedence over our relationship with Christ and His commands. To "not go aside" means to diligently study Scripture, to discern truth from error, and to intentionally align our thoughts, words, and actions with God's will, resisting the subtle pressures to compromise our faith for worldly acceptance or fleeting pleasures. It is a call to wholehearted, consistent, and uncompromising obedience, recognizing that even minor deviations can lead us down a slippery slope of spiritual compromise and away from the abundant life found in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "not go aside from any of the words... to the right hand, or to the left" mean practically for a believer today?
This phrase is a powerful idiom emphasizing absolute and precise adherence to God's commands, without any deviation or compromise. Practically, for a believer today, it means to follow God's instructions exactly as revealed in Scripture, without adding to them (turning to the right, e.g., legalism, human traditions overriding divine truth) or subtracting from them (turning to the left, e.g., relativism, dismissing inconvenient truths, or compromising moral standards). It speaks to the comprehensive nature of obedience, implying that even slight departures or reinterpretations of God's revealed will can lead one astray from the path of righteousness. It is a call to walk the straight and narrow path of truth and integrity, as described in passages like Proverbs 4:27, which warns against turning "to the right or to the left" from the path of wisdom. It means seeking to live in full alignment with God's character and commands in all areas of life.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Deuteronomy 28:14, with its stern warning against deviation and idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant demanded perfect obedience from a fallen humanity, which consistently failed to "not go aside" from God's words, Jesus perfectly embodied this command. He lived a life of unparalleled fidelity and obedience to His Father, never turning "to the right hand, or to the left," but always doing the will of Him who sent Him (John 4:34)—even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). He is the one who perfectly fulfilled the Law, not abolishing it but bringing it to completion (Matthew 5:17). Furthermore, the prohibition against "going after other gods to serve them" is fully realized in Christ, who is the one true God, the very image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) and the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). In the New Covenant, through faith in Him, believers are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to live lives of increasing obedience and exclusive devotion to God, no longer serving the "other gods" of this world—whether they be sin, self, materialism, or any idol that competes for ultimate allegiance (Colossians 3:5). Jesus Himself declared, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve" (Matthew 4:10), perfectly echoing the heart of Deuteronomy 28:14 and calling His followers to an undivided loyalty centered on Him as Lord.