Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Deuteronomy 28: Blessings Or Curses

Deuteronomy 28 is the stuff of dreams...and nightmares.
Although the emphasis is definitely placed on the negative section, there are built-in parallels between the blessings and curses.  Whether in the city or the field, the people will be blessed - or cursed (vs. 3 and 16).  Their basket and kneading bowl shall be blessed - or cursed (vs. 5 or 17).  Life for the Israelites will either be terrific or terrible.

What makes the difference?  How can the people choose between being blessed or being cursed?  It all comes down to one very simple directive: OBEDIENCE.  Obedience is key and makes all the difference in their destiny.  "If you will only obey the Lord your God..." stands in contrast to "But if you will not obey the Lord your God..." (vs. 1 and 15).

The chain of curses unleashed by disobedience is startling in its depth and horror.  The people are reduced to the cannibalism of their own children and end in a worse state than the slavery they started in (vs. 15-68).  It is a grotesque and heart-rending picture that serves as a warning to the Israelites.  Unfortunately, it is a warning that they did not heed.

Biblical scholars look upon this section and see it as an example the ancient form of a suzerainty treaty.  A "blessings and curses" passage like this is standard protocol for the official covenant between a powerful suzerain and his vassals.

Even so, modern Christians might legitimately struggle with Deuteronomy 28 and wonder where God's amazing grace is?  The answer is that it lies in verses 1-14.  I believe that the New Testament contains an analogous teaching to what we find here, and that is the concept of heaven and hell.  In much the same way that there are two sharply contrasting destinies standing in front of the Israelites, so, too, are there two eternal destinations ultimately standing before each of us.  Blessings or curses, heaven or hell.  

We must heed the warnings and flee from the wrath to come!  Today is the day of salvation, and we have the opportunity to enter into life and blessings and heaven in Jesus' name!

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