The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.
The written book was read aloud to all Israel assembled together, setting before them what would come upon them if disobedient in contrast to the promises if obedient. It is a curse for disobedience, that the foreigner living among Israel would rise very high above them in power and status, while Israel would be brought very low. The threatened curse belongs with the promised blessings tied to obedience or transgression, showing the fearful result of transgressing God's commands in contrast to the blessings that follow obedience.
The verse belongs to a chapter that, together with the two preceding chapters, plainly states the blessings of obedience and the curse for disobedience, and it is to be read carefully. Its fortunes change according to obedience or disobedience to God's law, with prosperity sent for obedience and adversity for transgression. The chapter expresses the principles of the law of God's kingdom made specific so minds are not left in ignorance and uncertainty. It belongs to the commands and judgments Israel was to keep with all heart and soul.
The promises depend on obedience to God's judgments, statutes, and ordinances, with doing them bringing life and prosperity for obedience and adversity for transgression. Disobedience alters His purpose toward Israel. That altering is seen in shutting the disobedient out from the promised inheritance. It is seen also in refusing to bring the adults of the army that left Egypt into the promised land.
The chapter presents the never-ceasing obligation of all blessed with life and health and temporal and spiritual advantages. Its message has not grown weak with age, but God's claims remain as binding now and as fresh in importance as His gifts are fresh and continual. Coming down very low includes coming under disease of every kind because of transgressing God's law and breaking down the barriers He had providentially erected to preserve health and holiness and teach obedience. That learning was under the special direction of Christ as invisible leader and mighty Healer, who desires to keep under His sheltering preservation all who do His will.
The written book was read aloud to all Israel assembled together, setting before them what would come upon them if disobedient in contrast to the promises if obedient. It is a curse for disobedience, that the foreigner living among Israel would rise very high above them in power and status, while Israel would be brought very low. The threatened curse belongs with the promised blessings tied to obedience or transgression, showing the fearful result of transgressing God's commands in contrast to the blessings that follow obedience.
The verse belongs to a chapter that, together with the two preceding chapters, plainly states the blessings of obedience and the curse for disobedience, and it is to be read carefully. Its fortunes change according to obedience or disobedience to God's law, with prosperity sent for obedience and adversity for transgression. The chapter expresses the principles of the law of God's kingdom made specific so minds are not left in ignorance and uncertainty. It belongs to the commands and judgments Israel was to keep with all heart and soul.
The promises depend on obedience to God's judgments, statutes, and ordinances, with doing them bringing life and prosperity for obedience and adversity for transgression. Disobedience alters His purpose toward Israel. That altering is seen in shutting the disobedient out from the promised inheritance. It is seen also in refusing to bring the adults of the army that left Egypt into the promised land.
The chapter presents the never-ceasing obligation of all blessed with life and health and temporal and spiritual advantages. Its message has not grown weak with age, but God's claims remain as binding now and as fresh in importance as His gifts are fresh and continual. Coming down very low includes coming under disease of every kind because of transgressing God's law and breaking down the barriers He had providentially erected to preserve health and holiness and teach obedience. That learning was under the special direction of Christ as invisible leader and mighty Healer, who desires to keep under His sheltering preservation all who do His will.