Blesssing or Cursing?

O. T. #392  "Blessing or Cursing?"
October 23, 2014
Deuteronomy 11
Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse.  Deuteronomy 11:26

LET IT GLOW

The adults to whom Moses was speaking were ages 40 to 60. There were no elderly folks, except Moses, who were alive at that time, because those older than 20, back 40 years earlier, died in the wilderness. Before the wilderness there were plagues and miracles; in the wilderness there were provisions and protection of God. Many Israelites were only children whenever they saw with their own eyes all the mighty works God had done, as well as His disciplining hands. Their children didn't see them.

Now they had children of their own, which needed to learn about their God. Since it is through repetition that we learn and retain information, Moses kept recalling and reminding Israel of the past. The love of God continued throughout all of this, even their rebellion.

In Jeremiah 31:3, the LORD says, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Like the song-His love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me, His love. It goes on and on.

Who doesn't need to be reminded that the Lord loves us? Aren't we called to share this with others?


LET IT GROW

What is Moses telling Israel to do again?

• to love the LORD their God, keep His requirements, decrees, laws, and commands always;
• observe all the commands which he was giving them;
• faithfully obey them;
• love and serve God;
• be careful lest they be enticed and turn away to worship other gods;
• fix God's Words in their hearts;
• teach their children.

If Israel loved God, walked in His ways, and held fast to Him, then the LORD would:

• drive out the nations so they could possess the Promised Land;
• extend their territory, had Israel obeyed God faithfully, (Gen. 15:18);
• no man could stand against them for they would fear Israel wherever they went;
• bless them when they obeyed or cursed them when they disobeyed God;
• bless them with rain in the new land; (In Egypt, they had to haul the water for the gardens or make foot deep channels for irrigating.).

In reference to verses 30-32, Falwell says, "Moses was showing Israel how to find the mountains of blessing and cursing."
Later in chapters 27 and 28, more details are given.

The reference of two mountains  were Mount Gerizim, the mountain of blessing, and Mount Ebal, the mountain of cursing. These mountains are located in the middle of the Promised Land and face each other across a valley approximately 1600 feet wide. The symbolic reading of the blessings and cursings will remind Israel that they are to obey the Word of the Lord if they want to receive His blessings. If they disobey, God will send curses upon them.  (Falwell)

Which mountain do we want? Blessing or cursing? Will we obey or disobey our God?

In John 14:21, Jesus says, He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

The real issue is of the heart: if they truly loved God, they would obey His Word. The time of decision had come. They had to choose between a blessing or a curse. this basic principle has never changed: if we obey God's Word from the heart, He will bless us and our labors; but if we disobey Him, He will send a curse and chasten us. Obedience is the key to happiness.  (Wiersbe)


LET IT GO

Love God and His Word.

Obey God's Word and His leading.

Tell the younger generation of the mighty works of God in my life.