Charles Ellicott Commentary Deuteronomy 31:17

"Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come upon them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?" — Deuteronomy 31:17 (ASV)

Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? —a confession they freely make to this day.