Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.
Otherwise, the people in the land you brought us out of will say, 'The LORD wasn't strong enough to bring them into the land he promised them, and because he hated them, he led them out into the wilderness to let them die there.'
Moses is warning that if God destroys Israel, the Egyptians will think God was too weak to keep his promises or that he actually hated his people.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is addressing the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land, as he recounts their history of rebellion and God's mercy during the Exodus. This verse is part of Moses' intercessory prayer to God, where he urges God not to destroy the people so that the Egyptians won't mock Him by claiming He lacked the power to fulfill His promises or that He acted out of hatred. It reflects the ongoing tension between Israel's unfaithfulness and God's covenant loyalty in the wilderness wanderings.
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