A lot of U.S. citizens are not too happy about criminal illegals receiving $2200 a month plus Medicare, me included.

Because of this, some are quoting Deuteronomy 28:43 “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower.” (NKJV)

The (NET Bible) translates it this way: “The foreigners who reside among you will become higher and higher over you and you will become lower and lower.”

Now, it seems to me that a few of the people’s posts concerning this do not imply that this is prophetic but merely a consequence.  A cause-and-effect relationship where one event causes another event to happen. In other cases, they are implying prophecy.

Let us start at the beginning of Ch. 28 and read V.1″Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.

So, what about prophecy; the purpose of Predictive Prophecies?

Promise and prophecy are abundant in the Bible. God gives many assurances of His readiness to bless and often speaks of things He plans to do in the future. In both cases, there are always conditions: God’s call to align with His will so His word of promise can bless the obedient. Ch.28 is a classic study of both God’s promises and His prophecies. Compare vv. 1, 2 and vv. 58,59 to note the blessings that are a promised potential to the obedient, and the judgements that are a predicted certainty for the disobedient.  

                This exemplifies the purpose of predictive prophecy in the Bible. It is to teach, to warn, and to instruct towards obedience and fruitful living. It is never given to arouse curiosity to promise guesswork. In Matt. 24 Jesus makes several prophecies about things to come but tells His disciples that His purpose is only to cause practical responses of obedient living (v42), not guessing at the possible schedule of forthcoming events (v.36)

                Elsewhere, our Lord indicates that predictive prophecies are also given to undergird our confidence in God’s sovereignty and omniscience – – that He is in control and that He does know the end from the beginning.

His words in John 13:19, 14:20, and 16:14, where His emphasis on this purpose of His prediction occurs –  “that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He” (that is, God’s Son, the Messiah)

(Acts 11:27-30/ 1 John 2:18)