In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
In the morning you will say, 'I wish it were evening!' and in the evening you will say, 'I wish it were morning!' because of the terrible fear in your heart and the awful things you will see with your eyes.
This verse describes a state of constant anxiety and distress where people are so troubled that they can never find peace, wishing they were anywhere but in their present moment.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is delivering a farewell address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land, outlining the blessings for obedience and the severe curses for disobedience to God's covenant laws. This verse vividly depicts the psychological torment and endless anxiety that would result from these curses, such as enemy invasions and exile, as a warning to keep the people faithful. Historically, these prophecies were fulfilled during events like the Babylonian exile in 586 BC, when Jerusalem was destroyed and many Israelites were taken captive.
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