DEUT500 In the Bible, where the unit of consideration is the nation, and where the moral horizon is bounded by this world, the law of compensation plays the leading role. The acts of the individual have their bearing not only upon his own but also upon his people's future. Achan, by breaking a tabu, brings guilt upon the entire people (Joshua 7). Jonathan tastes the honey of the forest, an unconscious violation of Saul's oath, and thereby brings defeat to the army of Israel. On the other hand, righteous men are the bulwark of the community. A faithful remnant ensures the nation's future (Genesis 18; Isaiah 10:20 f.). Obedience to the commands of God guarantees prosperity, plenty and security for oneself and for the nation. Disobedience, on the other hand, entails sorrow, grief, misery, defeat, suffering, and death (Deuteronomy 11:13-21; 28; Leviticus 26). "That it may be well with thee" and "that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth" are the recurrent themes of Deuteronomy and are implied in the other books of the Bible. The well-being referred to is both communal and personal.