So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
Disobedient Israel would be driven to terror, mental anguish and desperation by the calamitous sights before their eyes. Madness is placed among the curses that follow turning from God's commandments, suffered because of the distressing things seen. The verse stands among curses set against blessings, teaching that obedience brings prosperity while disobedience and transgression bring adversity and a curse. Prosperity or adversity is sent according to obedience or transgression of His law, with fearful results warned for transgressing His commands set against the blessings that follow obedience.
The chapter containing the verse shows that the Lord's promises rest upon the condition of obedience. Together with the first chapter of Deuteronomy, the chapter explains why the Lord refused to bring the adult generation and army that left Egypt into the promised land. The directions in Deuteronomy 26-28 plainly state the blessings of obedience and express the principles of the law of God's kingdom, made specific so that minds are not left in ignorance and uncertainty. They present the never-ceasing obligation of all whom God has blessed with life and health and advantages in temporal and spiritual things. That message has not grown weak because of age, and God's claims are just as binding now and just as fresh in importance as God's gifts are fresh and continual.
Disease and suffering come upon human beings because of sin and transgression of the law of God. God in His providence erected barriers to preserve His people from disease so they might live in health and holiness and learn obedience, and when those barriers are broken down by disobedience the protection is lost. This belongs with the promise that if His people diligently hearken to His voice and do what is right and keep His commandments and statutes, He will put none of the diseases of Egypt upon them, for He is the Lord who heals them. The verse confronts people with the choice whether to suffer the fearful consequences of disobedience or to enjoy the blessings of obedience.
Disobedient Israel would be driven to terror, mental anguish and desperation by the calamitous sights before their eyes. Madness is placed among the curses that follow turning from God's commandments, suffered because of the distressing things seen. The verse stands among curses set against blessings, teaching that obedience brings prosperity while disobedience and transgression bring adversity and a curse. Prosperity or adversity is sent according to obedience or transgression of His law, with fearful results warned for transgressing His commands set against the blessings that follow obedience.
The chapter containing the verse shows that the Lord's promises rest upon the condition of obedience. Together with the first chapter of Deuteronomy, the chapter explains why the Lord refused to bring the adult generation and army that left Egypt into the promised land. The directions in Deuteronomy 26-28 plainly state the blessings of obedience and express the principles of the law of God's kingdom, made specific so that minds are not left in ignorance and uncertainty. They present the never-ceasing obligation of all whom God has blessed with life and health and advantages in temporal and spiritual things. That message has not grown weak because of age, and God's claims are just as binding now and just as fresh in importance as God's gifts are fresh and continual.
Disease and suffering come upon human beings because of sin and transgression of the law of God. God in His providence erected barriers to preserve His people from disease so they might live in health and holiness and learn obedience, and when those barriers are broken down by disobedience the protection is lost. This belongs with the promise that if His people diligently hearken to His voice and do what is right and keep His commandments and statutes, He will put none of the diseases of Egypt upon them, for He is the Lord who heals them. The verse confronts people with the choice whether to suffer the fearful consequences of disobedience or to enjoy the blessings of obedience.