John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 28:58

"If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, JEHOVAH THY GOD;" — Deuteronomy 28:58 (ASV)

If you will not observe to do all the words of this law. Since even believers, although they are willingly disposed to obey the Law and earnestly apply themselves to it, are still hindered by the weakness of their flesh from fulfilling their duty, care and attention are demanded of them here. For to observe (custodire) to do is equivalent to giving careful and diligent attention.

God declares that unless the Israelites thoroughly devote themselves to keeping the Law, vengeance is prepared for their neglect.

It is indeed a harsh and severe threat by which any transgression is without remission, for perfect obedience is required by the words, to do all the words that are written in the Law.

But we must remember what I have already shown: Moses was so severe in his demands so that the people, convinced of their condemnation, would turn to the mercy of God. For no one longs for Christ unless he first abandons all confidence in his works and rests all his hope of salvation in free pardon.

The curse recorded here so awaits those who transgress the Law that, while God pardons His children, He at the same time sometimes chastises them and executes upon the reprobate the vengeance they deserve.

The source of obedience is indicated when it is said, that you may fear the Lord; for all virtues are merely smoke if they do not spring from the fear of God. Moreover, so that their contempt may be without excuse, God’s name is called glorious and fearful; for it is a mark of gross stupidity not to be affected with fitting reverence, so as to humble ourselves before Him, when God’s majesty and glory are openly set before us.

However, He threatens something more terrible than before when He says that the plagues shall be wonderful, not only on the parents but also on their children and descendants. Instead of this, some interpret it as, ²⁵⁰He shall increase in a wonderful manner, and others, He shall separate; but this interpretation is too forced and obscure.

The word פלא, phela, signifies to be wonderful, or secret and hidden. Thus, in my opinion, he means extraordinary and incredible modes of vengeance that will surpass human comprehension.

He places plagues and sicknesses in apposition, as if explaining by the latter what kind of plagues they will be. Unless, perhaps, it is more likely that the species is appended to the genus, which seems more probable.

Furthermore, he calls the plagues true, or faithful, either because they will certainly occur or because they will continue to the end. For the Hebrew word נאמנית, ²⁵¹neumanoth, is explained in both ways. Undoubtedly, it sometimes signifies truthful (or what does not deceive) and sometimes firm and stable (or perpetual). This latter sense seems to me to suit it best here, so that continued duration should be added to the greatness of the plagues.

He again mentions the diseases of Egypt—not those they had themselves suffered in Egypt, but those they had seen the Egyptians suffering under. Therefore, he says that the severity of God against unbelievers, which they had witnessed, would fall upon their own heads if they became followers of their ungodliness. For it was natural that they should tremble at the judgments of God, of which they had been eyewitnesses—and not only eyewitnesses, but at which they had also trembled for fear.

²⁵⁰ So V. The translation, “He shall separate, or shall make distinct from all others, because they shall be greater and worse,” is that of Oleaster, quoted in Poole’s Synopsis.. The translation, “He shall separate, or shall make distinct from all others, because they shall be greater and worse,” is that of Oleaster, quoted in Poole’s Synopsis.

²⁵¹ Root אמן, amen; and here rendered by Taylor, fidoe, constantes