John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 32:15

"But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: Thou art waxed fat, thou art grown thick, thou art become sleek; Then he forsook God who made him, And lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation." — Deuteronomy 32:15 (ASV)

But Jeshurun²⁶⁴ waxed fat. Moses here severely censures the ingratitude of the people because, when filled with delicacies, they began to rebel against God. For, according to the common proverb, fullness breeds insolence. But this arises from humanity's detestable depravity, as they should instead be inclined to humility and gentleness by the loving-kindness of God. The more abundantly He supplies us with food, the more He invites us to show the affection fitting for children, because in this way He more closely and familiarly declares Himself to be our Father.

Intolerable, then, is the ungodliness of irreligious people, who increase in insolence against Him when they have gorged themselves with an abundance of all good things. They are here compared to restive horses, which, if they are well fed without exercise, kick under their rider and become almost unmanageable.

By using the word “upright” for Israel, he ironically taunts them with having departed from righteousness. Reminding them of the high dignity bestowed upon them, he more severely rebukes their sin of unfaithfulness. For elsewhere²⁶⁵ Israel is honored with the same title without any negative connotation regarding their calling. But here Moses disapprovingly shows them how far they had departed from the pursuit of that piety they had been called to cultivate.

²⁶⁴ Lat., “Rectus.” See next note.“Rectus.” See next note.

²⁶⁵ This word ישרון, , yeshurun occurs only here, and in occurs only here, and in chap. 33:5, 26, and , and Isaiah 44:2. Commentators appear to be by no means agreed as to its derivation or meaning, — variously rendering it, . Commentators appear to be by no means agreed as to its derivation or meaning, — variously rendering it, the upright; the beloved; the fortunate; the abounding; the seer of God, etc. Singularly enough, etc. Singularly enough, C. himself, in his Commentary on Isaiah, (. himself, in his Commentary on Isaiah, (E Soc. Edit. vol. 3., p. 359,) gives the following contradictory opinion: “This designation is also bestowed upon that nation by Moses in his song: for although some render it in that passage Upright, and in this passage also, the old rendering is more suitable, “My beloved is grown fat.” (,) gives the following contradictory opinion: “This designation is also bestowed upon that nation by Moses in his song: for although some render it in that passage Upright, and in this passage also, the old rendering is more suitable, “My beloved is grown fat.” (Deuteronomy 32:15.).)