The time of Moses is coming to and end. In Deuteronomy Chapters 27-34, Moses lays out very plainly again the law and the consequences of not keeping the Commandments and statutes of the LORD Your GOD. Obedience brings prosperity and blessing, provision and protection from GOD. Disobedience leads to disaster and the LORD already knows which they will choose.
In Deuteronomy Chapter 28: 1-14 Moses gives the Isrealites all the blessings of obedience. If, they will only obey they LORD their GOD. The next 54 verses he covers the curses that will come if they chose to disobey. They can’t say they weren’t warned, and neither can we.
Obedience brings Blessings
Deuteronomy 28:9-10
All the many blessings. Blessed in the city and in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of their womb and the fruit of their ground and their livestock. Their enemies will be defeated before them. The LORD will bless them in all they undertake, IF!
There it is, plain and simple. GOD requires complete obedience and will not tolerate his people following other “gods” or idols. There were many “gods” in the world then, as is now, and the Israelites despite all GOD had done for them, would still be seduced by the “other gods”.
Rebellion Brings Curse
But,,,, if you do not obey the LORD your GOD by diligently observing all his commandments and decrees. The consequences of disobedience are disastrous and extensive.
Deuteronomy 28:20-21
The list of curses is long and
- You shall be defeated before your enemies
- Your corpses shall be for every bird of the air and animal of the earth.
- You will be afflicted with the boils of Egypt, with ulcers, scurvy and itch which cannot be healed.
- You will be afflicted with madness and confusion of mind
- you shall be continually abused and crushed
- Your sons and daughters will go into captivity
On and on, “because you did not obey the LORD your GOD”. But, wait there’s more: You shall eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of your own sons and daughters. A nation from far away will swoop down on you like an eagle and consume your livestock and the produce of your ground. It will besiege you in your towns.
Deuteronomy 28:62-64
I think maybe, the LORD is serious. If you are a student of History, you can recognize that Israel has experience many of these curses. From the Assyrian invasion to the Babylonian exile to the Conquering by Rome. All foretold here in the book of Deuteronomy. As the LORD says, so does the LORD do. He is not mortal that he should lie and he makes no idle threats.
Life and Prosperity or Death and Adversity
Deuteronomy 30:16-18
Again, the blessing for obedience and the curses for rebellion. When something is important, the LORD often repeats it over and over so there can be no misunderstanding. No claiming that they (or we) weren’t warned. We have a choice to make, and the LORD already knows what we will choose.
“they will turn to other gods and serve them, despising me and breaking my covenant. For I know what they are inclined to do even now, before I have brought them into the land that I promised them on Oath.”..
Deuteronomy 31:16
Moses Dies in the Land of Moab
The LORD tells Moses to bring Joshua to the tent of meeting “so that I may commission him”. The LORD tells Joshua “Be strong and bold, for you shall bring the Israelites into the land I promised them; I will be with you.“..
Moses then recites a song and commands the elders to teach it to their descendants because:
Deuteronomy 31:29
He tells them when he is done. “This is no trifling matter for you, but rather your very life.”.. That very day, the LORD commanded Moses to ascend Mount Nebo in Moab so he could view the land of Canaan. Before he goes, Moses commissions Joshua to lead Israel in his place. Then Moses died there and was buried in a place known only to GOD.
Deuteronomy 34:4-6
34:10 Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.
It is the LORD Who Goes Before You
Deuteronomy 31:3-6
But, it comes with an “IF”, if you diligently obey the LORD by keeping his commandments and statures and do not turn away and follow other “gods” (idols). Seems simple and straight forward, and it is, but it is in the nature of man to rebel. We seem to want to do everything our way. To be in control. Or, like Eve in the garden, to be like GOD. Read more about what the LORD requires in my recent post “Take Care that you do not Forget the LORD.”
Now, you may say, “this is the old covenant and it is no linger valid.”.. Do you really think GOD is no longer serious about our obedience. About, being the only GOD and not being forsaken for other “gods” or idols in our lives? Do you think that GOD no longer disciplines those he loves? We may be no longer under the “Law”, and have a new covenant, but GOD is still GOD.
I, personally think the choice is still valid for his chosen people, even under the new covenant. Chose obedience for blessings or rebellion for curses ( or discipline). I pray for the wisdom to begin to make the right choices more often and the wrong choices less often.
You can follow me on Facebook: The Sinner in the Mirror, Twitter: @sinnermirror, and Instagram: thesinnerinthemirror. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comment section below and I will get right back to you. May GOD bless and keep you always.
Submitted by the peace love and grace of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Rex McMahon
The Sinner in the Mirror
