Deuteronomy 32:13

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

He made him ride {H7392} on the high places {H1116} of the earth {H776}, that he might eat {H398} the increase {H8570} of the fields {H7704}; and he made him to suck {H3243} honey {H1706} out of the rock {H5553}, and oil {H8081} out of the flinty {H2496} rock {H6697};

He made them ride on the heights of the earth. They ate the produce of the fields. He had them suck honey from the rocks and olive oil from the crags,

He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him the produce of the field. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty crag,

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, And he did eat the increase of the field; And he made him to suck honey out of the rock, And oil out of the flinty rock;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:13 beautifully illustrates God's abundant and extraordinary provision for the nation of Israel. This verse, part of the powerful "Song of Moses," paints a vivid picture of divine care, emphasizing how God elevated and sustained His people in ways that defied natural limitations.

Context

This verse is found within the "Song of Moses" (Deuteronomy 32:1-43), a prophetic poem delivered by Moses just before his death. The song serves as a powerful reminder to Israel of God's faithfulness from their deliverance out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. It contrasts God's unwavering goodness and generous provision with Israel's tendency towards rebellion and forgetfulness. Verse 13 specifically highlights the blessings showered upon Israel, setting the stage for the warnings against apostasy that follow, such as in Deuteronomy 32:15.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Abundance: The imagery of riding on "high places," eating "increase of the fields," and drawing sustenance from "rock" signifies God's boundless ability to provide for His people, even in seemingly barren or difficult circumstances. It speaks to a life of dominion and plenty under divine favor.
  • Miraculous Sustenance: "Honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock" are potent metaphors for provision beyond natural means. While wild honey can be found in rocky crevices and olive trees grow in stony soil, the "flinty rock" emphasizes God's capacity to bring forth life and sustenance from the most unyielding places. This echoes God's miraculous care in the wilderness, like providing manna from heaven and water from a rock.
  • Elevation and Blessing: "He made him ride on the high places of the earth" suggests not just physical elevation but also a position of honor, security, and dominion. God exalted Israel among the nations, granting them a privileged position and a land flowing with milk and honey, as described in Deuteronomy 8:7-9.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "honey out of the rock" uses the Hebrew word debash (honey) and sela (rock or cliff). Similarly, "oil out of the flinty rock" employs shemen (oil) and challamish (flint or hard rock). The juxtaposition of these terms highlights the extraordinary nature of God's provision. It's not just about finding natural resources, but about God enabling sustenance to come forth from places where it would ordinarily be impossible or extremely difficult to obtain. This imagery is also found in Psalm 81:16.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 32:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to provide for His people. For believers today, this verse encourages trust in God's ability to sustain us, even when circumstances seem barren or overwhelming. It teaches us to look beyond natural limitations and recognize that our heavenly Father can bring forth blessings from unexpected sources. It calls us to remember God's past faithfulness in our lives and to approach future challenges with confidence in His divine provision, knowing that He desires to lead us into places of abundance and spiritual prosperity.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 58:14 (8 votes)

    Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].

  • Job 29:6 (8 votes)

    When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

  • Psalms 81:16 (6 votes)

    He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

  • Deuteronomy 33:29 (5 votes)

    Happy [art] thou, O Israel: who [is] like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who [is] the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

  • Deuteronomy 33:26 (5 votes)

    ¶ [There is] none like unto the God of Jeshurun, [who] rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.

  • Ezekiel 36:2 (5 votes)

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:

  • Isaiah 48:21 (4 votes)

    And they thirsted not [when] he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.