What does Deuteronomy 28:38 mean?
"Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it." - Deuteronomy 28:38
Deuteronomy 28:38 from the King James Version states, "Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it." This verse is part of the blessings and curses that Moses is delivering to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
The context of this verse is important to understand its significance. In Deuteronomy, Moses is recapping the laws and commandments that God has given to the Israelites, as well as reminding them of the blessings they will receive if they obey these laws and the curses they will face if they disobey. In this particular verse, Moses is conveying a specific curse that will befall the Israelites if they turn away from God and fail to follow His commandments.
The verse begins with the instruction for the Israelites to "carry much seed out into the field." This is a symbol of the labor and effort that the Israelites will put into their agricultural pursuits. The act of sowing seed represents the hard work and toil that the Israelites will invest in their crops, expecting a bountiful harvest as a result of their labor.
However, the verse takes a dark turn as it continues, stating that the Israelites will "gather but little in." This represents the disappointment and frustration that the Israelites will face when their efforts do not yield the expected results. Despite their hard work and dedication, they will experience a meager harvest that fails to meet their needs or expectations.
The verse concludes with the reason for this disappointing outcome: "for the locust shall consume it." The locusts are a metaphor for the various obstacles and adversities that the Israelites will face as a result of their disobedience. These obstacles will ultimately thwart their efforts and lead to their lack of success in their agricultural endeavors.
The overarching theme of Deuteronomy 28:38 is the idea of reaping what one sows. This verse serves as a warning to the Israelites that if they turn away from God and fail to uphold His commandments, they will experience the negative consequences of their actions. Their agricultural pursuits, which are crucial for their survival and prosperity, will be hindered by external forces that they cannot control.
Symbolically, this verse also speaks to the broader concept of divine judgment and the consequences of sin. The locusts represent the destructive forces that can ensue when one strays from God's path, leading to loss and suffering. This verse conveys the message that God's blessings are contingent upon obedience and faithfulness, and that disobedience will result in hardship and adversity.
Overall, Deuteronomy 28:38 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remaining steadfast in one's faith and obedience to God. It underscores the idea that our actions have consequences, and that we must be mindful of the choices we make in order to avoid facing the negative repercussions of our disobedience. This verse prompts us to reflect on our own spiritual journey and the importance of remaining faithful to God in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
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Deuteronomy 28:38 - "Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it."
"Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it." - Deuteronomy 28:38
Deuteronomy 28:28 - "The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:"
Job 38:28 - "Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?"
Jeremiah 38:28 - "So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken."
Deuteronomy 28:5 - "Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store."
Deuteronomy 28:17 - "Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store."
Exodus 38:28 - "And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them."
Deuteronomy 32:28 - "For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them."
"The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:" - Deuteronomy 28:28
Deuteronomy 28:16 - "Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field."
Deuteronomy 28:3 - "Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field."
Deuteronomy 32:38 - "Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection."
Deuteronomy 4:38 - "To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day."
Deuteronomy 1:38 - "But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it."
Deuteronomy 28:42 - "All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume."
Deuteronomy 28:46 - "And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever."
"Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?" - Job 38:28
Deuteronomy 28:34 - "So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see."
Deuteronomy 22:28 - "¶ If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;"
Deuteronomy 28:27 - "The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed."
Deuteronomy 28:23 - "And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron."
Deuteronomy 28:41 - "Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity."
Deuteronomy 28:47 - "Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;"
Deuteronomy 28:50 - "A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:"
Deuteronomy 28:19 - "Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out."
Deuteronomy 28:10 - "And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee."
Deuteronomy 28:6 - "Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out."
Genesis 38:28 - "And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first."
Deuteronomy 28:18 - "Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep."