Deuteronomy 32:35, commentary and pictures

Vengeance and repayment belong to God alone, and punishment for wrongs rests in His hands. It is plain judgment against disobedience, departure from God and persistent rebellion, showing His abhorrence of sin. The downfall of the disobedient comes at the appointed due time, which is near and hastening and will arrive swiftly without remedy, so the rebellious will not escape. Though justice has long seemed delayed while He bears with perversity, He remembers wrongs and it will soon awake with the sword of justice. He takes the part of all who suffer unjustly and shields His servants, and He will surely and proportionately repay those who set themselves against the light when warning is rejected.

Song's Setting and Purpose

The verse belongs to Moses' song, which recounts God's dealings with Israel as a lasting record and stands at the close of the book of the law as a summary of those dealings and a rehearsal of future events spoken in the hearing of all Israel. That song also foreshadows what is to come down to the final victory of the faithful when Christ returns in power and glory. The song was commanded by God, Israel's invisible Leader, to be framed from His dealings with ancient Israel and taught so its words would stay familiar to young and old. Parents were to teach it to children so the history would not be forgotten.

The song was set up as a waymark to be preserved and kept in sight, so that when children inquired the whole story of God's providential dealings, marked goodness, mercy, care, and deliverance could be repeated. God's dealings and wonderful works are to be often repeated before young and old with praise and thanksgiving, as a wonder-working God for those who keep His commandments. This gives reason for joy and gladness to His glory. The song serves as a continual warning, restraint, reproof, and encouragement.

In context the verse belongs to Moses' warning about the consequences of forsaking God and His commandments after corruption and unfaithfulness. There God judges His people, acts against their enemies, and ultimately shows mercy to His people. When the king heard the verse he trembled for the future and recognized its picture of departure from God as the actual condition of his kingdom.

Vengeance Reserved to God

Vengeance and recompense belong to God alone, and the punishment of wrongs rests in His hands. The verse declares His plain judgment against disobedience, departure from Him, and persistent rebellion. Such prophecies of swift judgment reveal His abhorrence of sin.

The downfall of the disobedient will come at the appointed due time. That time is near and hastening, and when it comes it will come swiftly and without remedy. The rebellious will not escape, for their foot shall slide to calamity and their day of calamity is at hand.

Though justice has long seemed delayed, it will soon awake. He may long bear with the perversity of men and not at once punish an unjust course, but He remembers their wrongs and will punish them with the sword of justice. He takes the part of all who are made to suffer unjustly and spreads His hand over His servants as a shield and buckler. No one can wound His chosen without wounding His hand, and to cherish suspicion and jealousy against those He loves is exceedingly sinful.

He will surely repay those who set themselves against the light. When warning is rejected and mercy turns away, repayment follows as surely as the wrong was done, as was seen when Rochester was left and the publishing office was removed. That certain repayment comes in proportion to what was done.

Warning Applied to Life

Vengeance and recompense belong to God alone, and He brings calamity in due time as punishment for rebellion and slavery. The guilty will face judgment, and that warning was fulfilled in the suffering of the South in the Civil War. What came upon the South was the day of calamity at hand, hastening upon those who would not escape.

The sliding foot is a warning that when danger comes people will fall unless they are working with God now. A person's feet slide when becoming careless and self-sufficient without constant watchfulness and earnest prayer. That danger is especially present when praise leads to trusting personal ability rather than God.