Blessings If...

O. T. #426  "Blessings If..."
December 24, 2014
Deuteronomy 28
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if  thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.  Deuteronomy 28:2 (My emphasis)

LET IT GLOW

Do we prefer blessings over cursings from God? Of course we do. Israel was given the choice, the requirements for blessings through obedience, and results of cursings if they disobeyed Him.

Chapter 28 gives  us a long list of blessings for those who trust and obey. In the terms of the treaty the Lord brought to Israel, the Hebrew  people were promised that everything they did would be blessed and multiplied. they never need to borrow from anyone-if they kept God's laws (verse 1-14).
Because Israel obeyed the voice of God, these blessings would come upon them and overtake them:

• Israel obeys God; (verse 1-2)
• in the city and in the country; (verse 3)
• the fruit of their body, the produce of their ground, increase of their herds, cattle, and flocks; (verse 4)
• their basket and kneading bowl; (verse 5)
• when they come in and go out; (verse 6)
• their enemies who rise against them will be defeated before their face; coming out one way before them and fleeing seven ways; (verse 7)
• their storehouses would be blessed, as well as all they set their hand to do, and their land which God gave them would be blessed; (verse 8)
• they will be established as a holy people to God, if Israel keeps the commandments of the LORD and walk in His ways; (verse 9)
• their nation would be a worldwide witness of God's grace; (verse 10)
• rain in its season; (verse 12)

What else could they possibly need or want? Yet, we know how it turned out as we read further into Scriptures. Why, oh why, do people turn from loving God when they know what will result?

LET IT GROW

Back in chapter 27 and into 28,we read a long list of curses on those who disbelieve and disobey God's Word from Mount Ebal.
Cursed is the one who:

• makes a carved or molded image, work of a craftsman and sets it up in secret; (verse 15)
• treats his father and mother with contempt; (verse 16)
• moves his neighbor's landmark; (verse 17)
• makes the blind to wander off the road; (verse 18)
• perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow; (verse 19)
• lies with his father's wife, any kind of animal, his sister, the daughter of his father or mother, with his mother-in-law; (verses 20-23)
• attacks his neighbor secretly; (verse 24)
• takes a bribe to slay an innocent person; (verse 25)
• does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them;(verse 26)
• a worldwide witness of God's chastening; (verses 45-46)
• extraordinary plagues; (verse 59)
• scattered among the peoples, with no rest, nor a resting place for the sole of their feet, as well as a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul; (verse 65)
• fear will terrify their heart because of the sight which they see with their eyes; (verse 67)
• Israel would return to Egypt never to be seen again, being sold as slaves, but no one will buy you. (verse 68)

[Resource: The Jeremiah Study Bible by Dr. David Jeremiah]

Moses foretold of Israel's being conquered and carried into slavery, first by Assyria (722 B.C.), second by Babylon (586 B.C.), third by Rome (AD 70). Israel did scatter, but returned to its statehood in May 1948.

After all the curses listed, the people said, "Amen!"
Perhaps these need to be read in the public square for all to hear in our generations.

Promises such as these are not repeated in the New Testament. God has vowed to bless His children, but under the New covenant, blessings are more spiritual than physical (Eph. 1:3). So NT believers are told that while they may experience a life of sacrifice and persecution, they will have the grace to be content with food and clothing alone (1Timothy 6:8) and the grace to give away to others what they have been given (2 Cor. 8:9-14). Yet in addition to the grace to give, God will grace His beloved with the ability to enjoy the good and perfect gifts (1 Timothy 6:17). (David Jeremiah)

We can love out the level of godliness which our Father expects. Also, we can experience the spiritual blessings of salvation, peace, victory, comfort, and strength for daily needs, even in times of trouble.

LET IT GO

Obey God and His Word, and receive blessings poured out from heaven.

Disobey God and receive those curses and a broken fellowship with our God.

It's our choice.