which ate the fat of their sacrificesThis phrase refers to the practice of offering sacrifices to idols, a common practice among the surrounding nations of Israel. The "fat" of the sacrifices was considered the best part and was often reserved for the deity being worshiped. In the context of Deuteronomy, this highlights the futility of idol worship, as these gods are depicted as consuming the offerings but providing no real benefit or power. This contrasts with the God of Israel, who is described as the living God who actively participates in the lives of His people (see
Psalm 115:4-8).
and drank the wine of their drink offerings?
Drink offerings were libations poured out to deities as part of worship rituals. The mention of wine here emphasizes the richness and value of what was offered to these idols. In biblical times, wine was a symbol of joy and abundance, yet here it is wasted on lifeless idols. This critique of idol worship is echoed inIsaiah 44:9-20, where the prophet mocks the absurdity of creating and worshiping idols.
Let them rise up and help you;
This is a rhetorical challenge, highlighting the impotence of idols. The call for these gods to "rise up" is ironic, as they have no power to act or intervene. This is reminiscent of Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal in1 Kings 18:27, where he mocks their god's inability to respond. The phrase underscores the biblical theme that only the God of Israel is living and active, capable of delivering and helping His people.
let them give you shelter!
The concept of "shelter" here implies protection and refuge, which are attributes often ascribed to God in the Psalms (e.g.,Psalm 91:1-2). The irony is that these idols, which are inanimate and powerless, cannot provide the security and protection that the true God offers. This serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God promises to be their protector and refuge (Deuteronomy 33:27).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe speaker of this verse, Moses is delivering a song to the Israelites as a final message before his death. This song serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and a warning against idolatry.
2.
IsraelitesThe audience of Moses' song, the Israelites are being reminded of their covenant with God and warned against turning to other gods.
3.
False godsThe entities being referenced in this verse, these are the idols that the Israelites have been tempted to worship, which Moses is condemning.
4.
Sacrifices and Drink OfferingsThese are the rituals performed by the Israelites, which they have wrongly offered to false gods instead of the one true God.
5.
The Promised LandThe context of this message is the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, where they are to live according to God's laws and avoid idolatry.
Teaching Points
The Futility of IdolatryIdols, whether ancient or modern, cannot provide true help or shelter. Trusting in anything other than God is ultimately futile.
God's Exclusive Worthiness of WorshipOnly God is worthy of our sacrifices and offerings. Our devotion should be directed solely to Him, as He is the only one who can truly provide for and protect us.
The Danger of Forgetting GodWhen we forget God's past faithfulness and turn to other sources for security, we risk losing the blessings and protection that come from a relationship with Him.
The Call to RepentanceThis verse serves as a call to repentance for those who have strayed from God. It is a reminder to return to Him and forsake all idols.
The Importance of Covenant FaithfulnessThe Israelites were in a covenant relationship with God, and this verse underscores the importance of remaining faithful to that covenant, a principle that applies to believers today.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 32:38?
2.How does Deuteronomy 32:38 challenge reliance on false gods in our lives?
3.What does Deuteronomy 32:38 reveal about God's expectations for worship and loyalty?
4.How can Deuteronomy 32:38 guide us in identifying modern-day idols?
5.In what ways does Deuteronomy 32:38 connect with the First Commandment?
6.How can we apply the lessons of Deuteronomy 32:38 in daily decision-making?
7.Why does Deuteronomy 32:38 mention gods who cannot save?
8.How does Deuteronomy 32:38 challenge the belief in other deities?
9.What historical context explains the gods mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:38?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 32?
11.Why does an all-loving God require belief in Jesus for salvation, even for those who never had the chance to hear about Him?
12.Deuteronomy 32:15's reference to Israel 'growing fat' before abandoning God--does this correspond with any documented economic or agricultural boom in the region?
13.Psalm 75:8 depicts God forcing the wicked to drink a cup of wrath; how does this harmonize with notions of a loving and merciful God in the New Testament?
14.What are the doctrines of demons?What Does Deuteronomy 32:38 Mean
Contextual backdropDeuteronomy 32 is Moses’ farewell song. He rehearses Israel’s history, God’s faithfulness, and Israel’s persistent drift into idolatry. Verses 37-38 land near the climax:
- God speaks in the first person, exposing the emptiness of the idols Israel ran after (cf.Deuteronomy 31:16-18;Psalm 106:34-39).
- The setting is covenant court: the LORD is judging His people, confronting them with the evidence (Deuteronomy 32:1-4).
- The immediate context links to verse 15, where “Jeshurun grew fat and kicked”—prosperity led to apostasy (Deuteronomy 8:10-20 echoes the same warning).
“Which ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings”The line pictures idols as if they consumed Israel’s best portions:
- Israel sacrificed fat and poured out wine to foreign gods, believing those offerings secured protection (Leviticus 3:16-17 marks fat as God’s portion, so giving it elsewhere is blatant robbery).
- Scripture mocks idols that “have mouths but cannot speak” (Psalm 115:4-8;Isaiah 44:17). The language of eating and drinking is satire: the gods were thought to feast, yet they are lifeless.
- Elijah’s showdown on Carmel exposes the same folly when Baal’s prophets cry out to a silent deity (1 Kings 18:27-29).
“Let them rise up and help you”God now invites Israel to test those gods in the day of calamity:
- The challenge mirrorsJudges 10:14, “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen; let them save you.”
- In literal judgment moments—oppressors, famine, exile—idols offer no rescue (2 Kings 17:13-18;Jeremiah 2:27-28).
- Only the living LORD delivers: He “rides on the heavens to your aid” (Deuteronomy 33:26).
“Let them give you shelter!”Shelter signals refuge, protection, stability:
-Psalm 46:1 calls the LORD “a refuge and strength,” showing the contrast.
- When the ark of God was placed beside Dagon, the idol fell face-down (1 Samuel 5:3-4); no shelter there.
-Isaiah 41:23 taunts idols to “do something, good or bad,” proving their powerlessness.
The call to exclusive loyaltyThe verse presses a decisive choice:
- The first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” is non-negotiable (Exodus 20:2-5).
- Jesus repeats the exclusive devotion principle: “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:10).
- Israel’s history, and ours, confirms that divided allegiance always ends in bondage (Romans 1:21-25;1 Corinthians 10:14-22).
Applications for believers today- Modern idols—wealth, success, pleasure—still promise safety yet cannot deliver in crisis (Luke 12:15-21).
- Give God your “fat and wine”: the first and best of time, gifts, and affection (Proverbs 3:9-10).
- In distress, run first to the throne of grace, not to counterfeit refuges (Hebrews 4:16;Psalm 62:5-8).
summaryDeuteronomy 32:38 is God’s ironic summons for Israel to call on the very idols they had been feeding with sacrifices. Those gods, incapable of action, expose the folly of misplaced trust. The verse underscores the exclusive reliability of the LORD: only He rescues, shelters, and satisfies. Therefore, surrender every rival allegiance, offer Him your best, and rest secure in His unfailing protection.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
whichאֲשֶׁ֨ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatateיֹאכֵ֔לוּ(yō·ḵê·lū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398:To eatthe fatחֵ֤לֶב(ḥê·leḇ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2459:Fat, richest, choice partof their sacrificesזְבָחֵ֙ימוֹ֙(zə·ḇā·ḥê·mōw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2077:A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrificeand drankיִשְׁתּ֖וּ(yiš·tū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8354:To imbibethe wineיֵ֣ין(yên)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3196:Wine, intoxicationof their drink offerings?נְסִיכָ֑ם(nə·sî·ḵām)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5257:Something poured out, a libation, a molten image, a princeLet them rise upיָק֙וּמוּ֙(yā·qū·mū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standand help you;וְיַעְזְרֻכֶ֔ם(wə·ya‘·zə·ru·ḵem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5826:To surround, protect, aidlet them give youיְהִ֥י(yə·hî)Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beshelter!סִתְרָֽה׃(siṯ·rāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5643:A covering, hiding place, secrecy
Links
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 32:38 Which ate the fat of their sacrifices (Deut. De Du) 
