Deuteronomy 28 is one of the most sobering and powerful chapters in the Scripture, and I’ll tell you why!
It contains both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience and clearly shows God’s covenant with Israel.
Deuteronomy 28:43 specifically states, “The foreigner who resides among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower.”
It’s a striking warning, one that reflects how spiritual rebellion can flip the order of favor, influence, and authority.
This verse isn’t just about politics or national identity.
It’s a spiritual principle with real-world implications.
When people, families, or even nations turn away from God’s ways, they often lose the divine covering that once protected their stability and success.
Outsiders—those who were once considered foreigners or the least likely to lead—may begin to prosper, while those once favored find themselves declining.
This is not because God stops being God, but because stepping out of obedience means stepping out of alignment with His blessings.
In today’s world, this verse still echoes.
It reminds us that we are called to walk in obedience, not for fear of curses but for the deep spiritual truth that alignment with God brings life, order, and favor.
When we honor God, He establishes us.
When we ignore Him, even strangers may rise above us as part of a divine wake-up call.
And today’s Bible verses will help us understand the weight and context of Deuteronomy 28:43 and why it matters today.
33 Bible Verses About Deuteronomy 28:43
1. Deuteronomy 28:43
“The foreigner who resides among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower.”
2. Deuteronomy 28:1
“If you fully obey the Lord your God… the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.”
3. Deuteronomy 28:15
“However, if you do not obey the Lord your God… all these curses will come on you and overtake you.”
4. Leviticus 26:17
“I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies.”
5. Proverbs 14:34
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”
6. Psalm 9:17
“The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.”
7. Isaiah 1:19–20
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.”
8. Jeremiah 18:9–10
“If I announce… that a nation is to be built up… but it does evil in my sight… then I will reconsider the good.”
9. Deuteronomy 8:19
“If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods… you will surely be destroyed.”
10. Judges 2:14
“In his anger against Israel the Lord gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them.”
11. Hosea 4:6
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
12. 1 Samuel 2:30
“Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”
13. Lamentations 5:8
“Slaves rule over us, and there is no one to free us from their hands.”
14. Isaiah 3:4
“I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.”
15. Daniel 4:17
“The Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
16. Psalm 33:12
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
17. Proverbs 29:2
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
18. 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people… will humble themselves and pray… then I will hear from heaven and heal their land.”
19. Ezekiel 36:31
“Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves…”
20. Matthew 21:43
“The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”
21. Romans 11:20
“They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble.”
22. Hebrews 2:1
“We must pay the most careful attention… so that we do not drift away.”
23. 1 Corinthians 10:12
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
24. Revelation 2:5
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
25. Galatians 6:7
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
26. Zechariah 1:3
“Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty.”
27. Micah 6:8
“He has shown you… what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?”
28. Psalm 81:11–12
“But my people would not listen… so I gave them over to their stubborn hearts.”
29. Romans 2:6
“God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’”
30. Ezekiel 18:30
“Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”
31. Nehemiah 9:26
“But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law.”
32. Hosea 8:3
“Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him.”
33. Revelation 3:19
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Deuteronomy 28:43
Deuteronomy 28:43 reminds us of a painful truth: disobedience can reverse our place of favor.
God, in His justice, allows us to experience the consequences of turning away from Him, not because He is cruel, but because He is holy.
When God’s people forget His ways, He may allow outsiders to rise, not to shame us permanently, but to wake us up spiritually.
It’s a warning rooted in love.
God wants us to be aligned with Him, not simply for blessing, but because that’s where we truly thrive.
This truth plays out even today in many lives, communities, and nations.
But the good news is that repentance always opens the door for restoration.
Even if we’ve fallen, God invites us back.
He doesn’t abandon us in the consequence—He stands ready to lift us again if we humble ourselves and return to Him.
Say This Prayer
Father, I thank You for Your truth and Your mercy.
Forgive me for any ways I’ve turned from You or allowed compromise to rule my heart.
Help me stay aligned with Your Word, no matter what the world around me looks like.
I repent for every area of disobedience and ask for Your grace to walk in Your ways.
Lift me up again, Lord, and let Your favor rest upon me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.