Had Israel been true to God, He could have accomplished His purpose through their honor and exaltation. If they had walked in the ways of obedience, He would have made them "high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor." "All people of the earth," said Moses, "shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee." "The nations which shall hear all these statutes" shall say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." Deut. 26:19; 28:10; 4:6. But because of their unfaithfulness, God's purpose could be wrought out only through continued adversity and humiliation.

Hvis Israel havde været tro imod Gud, kunne han have fuldført sin hensigt ved deres hæder og deres ophøjelse. Hvis de havde vandret på lydighedens veje, ville han have sat dem "højt over alle folk, som han har skabt, til pris og berømmelse og ære". "Alle jordens folk skal se," sagde Moses, "at Herrens navn er nævnet over dig, at frygte dig." Når folkeslagene hørte om "alle disse anordninger," skulle de sige: "Sandelig, det er et vist og klogt folk, dette store folk!" 5Mos. 26,17-19; 28,10; 4,6. Men på grund af deres troløshed kunne Guds formål ikke lykkes på anden måde end gennem fortsat modgang og ydmygelse.