Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.
If I weren't worried about what their enemies would think, afraid that their opponents would misunderstand and boast, 'We won by our own power, and the LORD had nothing to do with this.'
God is saying He holds back from completely destroying His people because He doesn't want their enemies to take credit for what only He could do.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses is delivering his final song to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, warning them of future unfaithfulness and God's impending judgment. This verse captures God's reasoning for not completely destroying Israel despite their sins, emphasizing that He acts to prevent enemies from boasting that their own power achieved victory and ignoring God's involvement. The broader context of the Song of Moses highlights God's sovereignty and His desire to maintain His glory among the nations.
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