Exodus 23:25

KJV

And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall serve {H5647} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, and he shall bless {H1288} thy bread {H3899}, and thy water {H4325}; and I will take {H5493} sickness {H4245} away {H5493} from the midst {H7130} of thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You are to serve ADONAI your God; and he will bless your food and water. I will take sickness away from among you.

Berean Standard Bible

So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take away sickness from among you.

American Standard Version

And ye shall serve Jehovah your God, and he will bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 23:25 articulates a foundational principle of God's covenant with Israel: divine blessing and protection are contingent upon faithful service and obedience to the Lord. This verse promises comprehensive provision for daily sustenance ("bread" and "water") and immunity from disease, underscoring God's desire for the holistic well-being of His people as they prepared to enter the Promised Land and live according to His statutes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 23:25 is situated within the "Covenant Code" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), a detailed expansion of the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. This section provides specific civil, social, and religious laws designed to govern the newly formed nation of Israel. The preceding verses in Exodus 23 outline regulations concerning justice, compassion for the vulnerable, Sabbath observance, and the three annual festivals. Verse 25, along with the subsequent verses (Exodus 23:26-33), shifts from specific commands to a series of conditional promises and warnings, emphasizing the blessings of obedience (provision, health, victory over enemies) and the consequences of disobedience (God's withdrawal of favor). This verse serves as a climactic summary of the benefits of covenant fidelity, linking practical obedience to tangible divine favor.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this pronouncement, the Israelites were a nascent nation, recently delivered from Egyptian bondage and encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. They were about to embark on a journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land. In the ancient Near East, health and prosperity were often seen as direct indicators of divine favor, while sickness and famine were interpreted as signs of divine displeasure or curses. For a nomadic people, reliable food and water sources were critical for survival, and widespread disease could decimate a population. God's promise in [Exodus 23:25](/exodus/23-25 "Exodus 23:25 - Promise of Blessing and Health") was therefore profoundly significant, assuring them of divine provision and protection in a harsh environment, directly countering the fears and realities of their ancient world. This promise set the God of Israel apart from pagan deities, demonstrating His unique power and benevolent care for His people, unlike the capricious gods of surrounding nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Serve (Hebrew, _'āvaḏ'_):** This verb (עָבַד) carries a rich semantic range, encompassing not merely ritualistic worship but also practical obedience, labor, and the act of being a servant or slave. In this context, "serving the LORD your God" implies a comprehensive devotion that manifests in adherence to His commands, loyalty to the covenant, and practical living that honors His name. It signifies a life wholly dedicated to God's will, not just a set of religious duties.
* **Sickness (Hebrew, _maḥalâ'_):** The noun (מַחֲלָה) refers to disease, illness, or affliction. In an ancient context where medical knowledge was rudimentary and diseases often rampant and fatal, the promise to "take sickness away" (הֵסִיר - _hēsîr_, to remove, cause to depart) was a profound assurance of divine protection and miraculous intervention. It speaks to God's sovereign power over all physical ailments and His desire for the physical flourishing of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall serve the LORD your God":** This initial clause establishes the fundamental condition for the ensuing blessings. "Serving" implies a comprehensive commitment to God's covenant, encompassing obedience to His laws, worship, and a lifestyle that reflects His holiness. It is not merely a suggestion but a covenantal obligation, highlighting the reciprocal nature of the relationship between God and Israel.
* **"and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water":** This phrase promises divine provision for essential sustenance. "Bread" and "water" function as a **merism**, representing all necessary provisions for life. God promises to supernaturally ensure their daily needs are met, protecting them from famine and scarcity, which were constant threats in the ancient world. This blessing signifies abundance and security in their most basic necessities.
* **"and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee":** This final clause promises divine protection from illness and disease. "Taking sickness away from the midst of thee" implies a comprehensive removal of ailments from their community, fostering health and vitality. This was a remarkable promise in an era without modern medicine, demonstrating God's power over physical affliction and His desire for the well-being of His people as a distinct, holy nation.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 23:25 employs several powerful literary devices. It functions as a **Conditional Promise**, clearly stating that the blessings are contingent upon the people's service to the Lord. The structure "If you do X, then I will do Y" is foundational to the Mosaic Covenant. The phrase "bread, and thy water" is an example of **Merism**, where two opposing or complementary parts are used to represent a complete whole, signifying all forms of sustenance and provision. The verse also utilizes **Divine Fiat**, where God declares His intention directly ("I will take sickness away"), emphasizing His sovereign power and ability to fulfill His promises. Furthermore, there is an inherent **Parallelism** between the acts of service and the resulting blessings, reinforcing the direct cause-and-effect relationship within the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 23:25 profoundly illustrates God's character as a faithful covenant-keeper, a benevolent provider, and a powerful healer. It underscores the biblical principle that obedience to God often results in tangible blessings, not as a means to earn salvation, but as a demonstration of God's favor and a testament to the benefits of living within His divine order. The promise of provision and health points to God's holistic concern for humanity, encompassing both physical and spiritual well-being. While the specific terms of the Mosaic Covenant applied to ancient Israel, the underlying theological truth—that God desires to bless those who sincerely seek and serve Him—remains a timeless principle.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-6](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-6 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Psalm 103:2-3](/psalms/103-2 "Psalm 103:2-3 - God Forgives and Heals")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 23:25 offers a powerful glimpse into God's desire for the flourishing of His people. For believers today, while we live under the New Covenant, the principle of God's care for our holistic well-being remains profoundly relevant. This verse challenges us to examine the depth of our "service" to the Lord. Is our devotion merely ritualistic, or does it encompass every aspect of our lives – our work, our relationships, our finances, and our physical care? It reminds us that God is deeply concerned with our daily needs, promising to provide for us as we prioritize His kingdom. While we don't live under the exact conditional promises of the Old Covenant (where physical health was a direct covenantal blessing), we can still trust in God's sovereign care, knowing that He desires our health and provision according to His perfect will. This verse encourages a life of trusting dependence on God, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all good things, even amidst the realities of a fallen world where sickness and lack are present.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways does "serving the LORD your God" manifest in your daily life today?**
* **How does the promise of God blessing "bread and water" encourage you to trust Him with your material needs in an age of anxiety and scarcity?**
* **While physical health is not guaranteed under the New Covenant in the same way, how does this verse inform your understanding of God's desire for your holistic well-being (physical, mental, spiritual)?**
* **What does it mean to "take sickness away from the midst of thee" in a spiritual sense for believers today?**

### FAQ
**Does Exodus 23:25 mean that if I serve God faithfully, I will never get sick or lack anything?**

Answer: While Exodus 23:25 presents a clear promise of physical blessings and protection from sickness to ancient Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, its application to New Covenant believers requires careful theological nuance. Under the Old Covenant, there was a direct, often immediate, correlation between national obedience and physical blessing, and disobedience and curses (as seen in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). For New Covenant believers, salvation and righteousness are by grace through faith in Christ, not by perfect obedience to the Law. While God still cares deeply for our physical well-being and often blesses His faithful people with provision and health, we live in a fallen world where sickness and hardship are realities for all, including devout believers (e.g., [2 Corinthians 12:7-10](/2_corinthians/12-7 "2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh")). The ultimate "taking away of sickness" is fully realized in the eschatological hope of a new heavens and new earth, where there will be no more pain, sorrow, or death ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain")). However, the verse still reminds us that God is our provider and healer, and we can trust Him for our daily needs and pray for healing, knowing He is sovereign.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 23:25 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant promised physical blessings for obedience, Jesus embodies the perfect Servant of the Lord who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and perfectly served God ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Through His perfect service and sacrificial death, Christ inaugurated a New Covenant, offering spiritual blessings that far surpass the physical. He is the true "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the source of "living water" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")), providing ultimate spiritual sustenance for eternal life. Furthermore, Jesus demonstrated His power over sickness and disease during His earthly ministry, healing all who came to Him ([Matthew 4:23-24](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23-24 - Jesus Heals Many")). His atoning work on the cross not only dealt with the spiritual sickness of sin but also secured the promise of future physical redemption and complete healing in the resurrection ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"); [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By His Wounds You Have Been Healed")). Thus, in Christ, the promise of provision and the removal of sickness are transformed from conditional physical blessings for a nation into spiritual realities for all who believe, with the full physical manifestation awaiting His glorious return.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.