Blessing For Obedience
August 18, 2020
Commentary
The key word in this chapter is “if” (v. 1). If this great nation (Israel) which God had miraculously brought out of Egypt obeyed the Lord, every aspect of her life would be blessed. If, as a nation, she failed she would be scattered throughout the earth to endure suffering and great tribulation. History reveals to us that she chose to do the latter.
Every year the Orthodox Jews read the Pentateuch in their synagogues. Each time they are reminded no other nation in the history of the world has ever had such an opportunity for self-prosperity, self-advancement and self-expansion, if only they obeyed God. Three basic areas of blessing were promised if Israel obeyed the Lord’s command:
1. Military and financial success. (v. 7)
2. Abundant provision through agriculture. (vv. 8, 11, 12)
3. A Reputation that would become a testimony to all people. (v. 13)
Just as obedience would have brought blessing, so disobedience would bring curses. The curse section (vv. 15-68) is about four times longer than the blessings section (vv. 1-14).
Application
Happiness comes from obeying the Lord’s commands. It is still true today. As a Christian we should read this chapter, realizing that if God didn’t spare the Jews, He also will not spare us (Rom. 11:21).
Deuteronomy 28:1– 19 (NET)
1 “If you indeed obey the Lord your God and are careful to observe all his commandments I am giving you today, the Lord your God will elevate you above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come to you in abundance if you obey the Lord your God: 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the field. 4 Your children will be blessed, as well as the produce of your soil, the offspring of your livestock, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks. 5 Your basket and your mixing bowl will be blessed. 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. 7 The Lord will cause your enemies who attack you to be struck down before you; they will attack you from one direction but flee from you in seven different directions. 8 The Lord will decree blessing for you with respect to your barns and in everything you do—yes, he will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 The Lord will designate you as his holy people just as he promised you, if you keep his commandments and obey him. 10 Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you belong to the Lord, and they will respect you. 11 The Lord will greatly multiply your children, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your soil in the land that he promised your ancestors he would give you. 12 The Lord will open for you his good treasure house, the heavens, to give you rain for the land in its season and to bless all you do; you will lend to many nations but you will not borrow from any. 13 The Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always end up at the top and not at the bottom, if you obey his commandments that I am urging you today to be careful to do. 14 But you must not turn away from all the commandments I am giving you today, to either the right or left, nor pursue other gods and worship them.
15 “But if you ignore the Lord your God and are not careful to keep all his commandments and statutes I am giving you today, then all these curses will come upon you in full force: 16 You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the field. 17 Your basket and your mixing bowl will be cursed. 18 Your children will be cursed, as well as the produce of your soil, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks. 19 You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out.
Illustration:
Every conscientious parent recognizes how difficult it is to exercise his God-given authority over his children. The delicate balance of being tough yet tender is not easy to maintain. Many parents intensify a rebellious spirit by being dictatorial and harsh. Others yield when their authority is tested. When a strong-willed child resists, the pressure to give in for the sake of peace and harmony can become overpowering. I am reminded of the mother who wanted to have the last word but couldn’t handle the hassle that resulted whenever she said no to her young son. After an especially trying day, she finally flung up her hands and shouted, “All right, Billy, do whatever you want! Now let me see you disobey THAT!” (Our Daily Bread).