Deuteronomy 29:24 - The Covenant in Moab
Audio Bible
Context
The Covenant in Moab
…23All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger. 24So all the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’ 25And the people will answer, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.…
Cross References
So all the nations will ask,1 Kings 9:8
And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’2 Chronicles 7:21
And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’Jeremiah 22:8
And many nations will pass by this city and ask one another, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this great city?’
‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land?1 Kings 9:9
And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, the LORD has brought all this disaster upon them.’”2 Chronicles 7:22
And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, He has brought all this disaster upon them.’”Jeremiah 22:9
Then people will reply, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.’”
Why this great outburst of anger?’2 Chronicles 36:16-17
But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. / So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,Jeremiah 4:8
So put on sackcloth, mourn and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us.”Daniel 9:11-14
All Israel has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey Your voice; so the oath and the curse written in the Law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You. / You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. / Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquities and giving attention to Your truth. …
Jeremiah 16:10-11
When you tell these people all these things, they will ask you, ‘Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?’ / Then you are to answer them: ‘It is because your fathers have forsaken Me, declares the LORD, and followed other gods, and served and worshiped them. They abandoned Me and did not keep My instruction.Jeremiah 5:19
And when the people ask, ‘For what offense has the LORD our God done all these things to us?’ You are to tell them, ‘Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so will you serve foreigners in a land that is not your own.’”Hosea 9:17
My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.Isaiah 1:7
Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your fields before you—a desolation demolished by strangers.Ezekiel 14:23
They will bring you consolation when you see their conduct and actions, and you will know that it was not without cause that I have done all these things within it,’ declares the Lord GOD.”Lamentations 2:15-16
All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” / All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!”Jeremiah 18:16
They have made their land a desolation, a perpetual object of scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and shake their heads.
Treasury of Scripture
Even all nations shall say, Why has the LORD done thus to this land? what means the heat of this great anger?
1 Kings 9:8,9
And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? …
2 Chronicles 7:21,22
And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? …
Jeremiah 22:8,9
And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city? …
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Anger Heat Meaneth Means Nations Outburst Reason Whence Wherefore WrathDeuteronomy 29
1. Moses exhorts them to obedience, reminding of the works they had seen10. All are presented before the Lord to enter into his covenant
18. The great wrath on him who flatters himself in his wickedness
29. Secret things belong unto God
So all the nations will ask,
This phrase indicates a future scenario where surrounding nations observe the consequences faced by Israel. Historically, Israel was situated at a crossroads of major ancient civilizations, making it a focal point for international attention. The nations' inquiry suggests a public and noticeable event, emphasizing the severity of God's actions. This reflects the broader biblical theme of Israel as a witness to the nations, as seen in Isaiah 43:10.
‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land?
The question posed by the nations highlights the recognition of the LORD's sovereignty and involvement in the affairs of Israel. The land, promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, holds significant covenantal importance. The inquiry implies a breach of covenant, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28, where blessings and curses are contingent upon Israel's obedience. This serves as a warning and a call to repentance, echoing the prophetic messages found in books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Why this great outburst of anger?’
The "great outburst of anger" refers to the divine judgment resulting from Israel's disobedience and idolatry. This anger is not arbitrary but is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The severity of God's response underscores His holiness and justice, as well as the seriousness of sin. This concept is mirrored in the New Testament, where God's wrath against sin is ultimately satisfied through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as seen in Romans 3:25-26. The phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the need for faithfulness to His commands.
Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is just and righteous, and whose actions are being questioned by the nations.
2. The Nations
Refers to the surrounding peoples who observe the consequences of Israel's disobedience and question the reasons behind God's actions.
3. The Land
The Promised Land given to the Israelites, which is subject to God's blessings or curses based on the people's obedience or disobedience.
4. Israel
The chosen people of God, who are in a covenant relationship with Him and are experiencing the consequences of breaking that covenant.
5. Moses
The leader and prophet who delivers God's message to the Israelites, warning them of the consequences of disobedience.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Covenant Faithfulness
God's covenant with Israel was conditional, requiring obedience. This passage reminds us of the importance of faithfulness in our relationship with God.
The Witness of God's Actions
The nations' questioning highlights that God's dealings with His people serve as a testimony to the world. Our lives should reflect God's character and lead others to inquire about Him.
The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God leads to serious consequences, not only for individuals but for communities and nations. We must heed God's warnings and live according to His Word.
God's Righteous Anger
God's anger is not arbitrary but is a response to sin and unfaithfulness. Understanding this helps us appreciate His holiness and justice.
The Opportunity for Repentance and Restoration
While this verse speaks of judgment, the broader biblical account offers hope for repentance and restoration. We should always seek God's mercy and return to Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 29:24?2. How does Deuteronomy 29:24 emphasize God's response to Israel's disobedience?3. What can we learn about God's justice from Deuteronomy 29:24?4. How does Deuteronomy 29:24 connect with God's covenant promises in the Bible?5. How should Deuteronomy 29:24 influence our understanding of consequences for sin today?6. What steps can we take to avoid the fate described in Deuteronomy 29:24?7. Why did God allow such severe punishment as described in Deuteronomy 29:24?8. How does Deuteronomy 29:24 reflect God's justice and mercy?9. What historical events might Deuteronomy 29:24 be referencing?10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 29?11. Who is the Wandering Jew mentioned in the Bible?12. What is the order of the Bible's books?13. In Jeremiah 29:4-7, how can God instruct his people to settle peacefully in a pagan land while other passages command separation from foreign nations?14. In Deuteronomy 12:2-4, how does the command to destroy all pagan worship sites fit with archaeological findings that some Canaanite altars appear to have remained in use?
What Does Deuteronomy 29:24 Mean
So all the nations will ask
“ ‘So all the nations will ask…’ ” (Deuteronomy 29:24) pictures Israel’s future neighbors scanning the ruined landscape and talking among themselves. God had warned in Deuteronomy 28:37 that if Israel broke covenant, they would become “an object of horror, a proverb, and a byword among all the peoples.” Here that prediction unfolds: foreign observers become puzzled commentators on Israel’s downfall. 1 Kings 9:8–9 and Jeremiah 22:8 show the same scene centuries later at Solomon’s devastated temple—outsiders shaking their heads and asking identical questions. The point is that God’s dealings with His people are meant to be seen; His covenant blessings and curses speak to the watching world.
Key takeaways
• Israel’s story is never private; it is a billboard for God’s faithfulness.
• The nations’ curiosity sets the stage for explaining both sin’s consequences and God’s righteousness (Psalm 98:2).
Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land?
The strangers’ first question targets cause: “Why has the LORD done such a thing…?” They instinctively connect Israel’s God with Israel’s condition. Deuteronomy 29:25 immediately answers: “Because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD.” Scripture presents covenant obedience and land blessing as inseparable (Deuteronomy 11:13-17). When the land lies scorched, the logical conclusion is covenant breach. 2 Chronicles 7:21-22 echoes this logic after the Babylonian exile: people passing by ask, “Why has the LORD done such a thing?” and are told it was because Israel “forsook the LORD.”
Insights
• The land’s devastation is not random tragedy; it is purposeful discipline (Leviticus 26:32-35).
• God’s actions are consistent: blessings follow obedience, curses follow rebellion (Galatians 6:7-8 applies the same principle to believers today).
Why this great outburst of anger?
The second question probes intensity: “Why this great outburst of anger?” God’s wrath is depicted as a sudden flood—a “burning” that “flared up” (Deuteronomy 29:27). Such language reminds us that divine anger is neither petty nor unpredictable; it is the settled, holy response to covenant violation. Deuteronomy 32:19-22 explains that idolatry “provoked” the LORD to jealousy, igniting a “fire” that would consume the land. Josiah sensed that same fury centuries later: “Great is the wrath of the LORD that has been kindled against us” (2 Kings 22:13).
Consider
• God’s anger is real and righteous; He cannot overlook sin without denying His own holiness (Romans 1:18).
• Yet His wrath always has redemptive purpose, pressing His people toward repentance (Hebrews 12:5-11).
summary
Deuteronomy 29:24 pictures the watching nations asking two linked questions when Israel’s land lies ruined: what happened, and why is God so angry? Their queries underline covenant reality: God publicly blesses obedience and publicly judges rebellion. The devastation is a visible sermon proclaiming His holiness, justice, and unwavering truthfulness to His word. For every generation, the passage warns against casual sin and invites trust in the God who keeps His promises—both of discipline and restoration.
(24) All nations shall say, Wherefore . . .?--The people of Israel are represented as asking a similar question in Jeremiah 5:19, "And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the Lord our God all these things unto us? Then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land; so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours." Compare also the warning given to Solomon after the completion of the Temple (marginal reference).
Verse 24. - What meaneth the heat of this great anger? The reply to this question comes in what follows (vers. 25-28). Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
All
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every
the nations
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts
will ask,
וְאָֽמְרוּ֙ (wə·’ā·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say
‘Why
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against
has the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
done
עָשָׂ֧ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make
this
כָּ֖כָה (kā·ḵāh)
Adverb
Strong's 3602: Just so
to this
הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,
land?
לָאָ֣רֶץ (lā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land
Why
מֶ֥ה (meh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what
this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that
great
הַגָּד֖וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent
outburst
חֳרִ֛י (ḥo·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2750: A burning, anger
of anger?’
הָאַ֥ף (hā·’ap̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire
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Deuteronomy 29:24 Catholic BibleOT Law: Deuteronomy 29:24 Even all the nations shall say Why (Deut. De Du)