It is asked how Moses could have written the former in light of the latter. This fails to report the context of each verse: The latter is in reference to any king that the Israelites should happen to set over themselves, and is a command; the former is a punishment that will be given if the Israelites persist in sin.

Deuteronomy 28:68 says:

> "And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships... Ye shall henceforth return no more that way."

This is often pitted against Deuteronomy 17:16, which says the king:

> "shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt... forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way."

Critics ask how Moses could have written the former in light of the latter. This objection fails to report the context of each verse: Deuteronomy 17 is a strict command to future kings not to intentionally lead the people back into Egyptian reliance or bondage for military gain. Deuteronomy 28, however, is a prophetic warning of a horrific punishment that God Himself will inflict upon the nation if they persist in rebellion; they will be forcibly returned to the slave markets of Egypt.