Deuteronomy 11
-The LORD sets before the children of Israel a choice, a
blessing or a curse. The blessing will come if they listen to the commandments
of the LORD their God, which He had clearly given them over and over again. The
curse will come if they choose not to listen to His commandments and turn aside
from His way by following other gods, which they had not known (Deuteronomy
11:26-28). God expected their love and to always keep His charge (Deuteronomy
11:1). It was not burdensome. His discipline (Deuteronomy 11:2a) was designed
to give them a hope and future in the land they were about to possess. His
greatness, might, and actions on their behalf were quite evident, and He deserved
all their glory, worship, and praise. Their own eyes had seen all the great
work which the LORD had done (Deuteronomy 11:2b-7). Enemies were scattered,
rebels were killed, and their safety in the wilderness was assured as He
carried them. Therefore, God commands them to observe all of His laws
obediently for a prolonging of days in the land sworn to their forefathers
(Deuteronomy 11:8-9a). The benefits of the land “flowing with milk and honey”
are delineated over the next several verses. This land was not like Egypt where
they had to sow their seed and water it like in a vegetable garden. The hills
of Israel would drink the water from the rain of heaven by the caring and nurturing
of the LORD Himself. The eyes of God are always upon this land for His chosen
people throughout the year, and if His people comply with His ways, they shall
have abundant rain in its season, the early and later rain, so that they can
gather in their grain, new wine, and oil in surplus. Their fields will provide
grass for their livestock; they will eat and be totally satisfied (Deuteronomy
11:9b-15). These are the blessings of obedience. On the other hand, God warns
them not to ever be deceived in their hearts so as to turn away from their
Living God to serve and worship other gods. If this happens, and prophetically
the LORD knows that it will, His anger will indeed be kindled against them; the
heavens will be shut up from pouring down its rain. The ground will not yield
its appointed fruit, and the people will perish quickly from this good and
precious land, which the LORD had freely given them by His grace and mercy
(Deuteronomy 11:16-17). Therefore, these words of His were to be impressed on
the heart and soul of the populace. They were to be binded to them as a sign on
their hand, frontals on their forehead, and taught to their sons as they sat in
the house, wherever they walked, and when they lay down for bed and got up
early in the morning. Their doorposts and city gates were to contain the word
of God, literally. If they observed these requirements, their stay in the land
would be multiplied. Their enemies would flee before them being driven out by
the power of the Almighty if they would only be careful to keep all His
commandments, love Him, walk in His ways, and hold fast to Him. Their land
would stretch as promised from the border of the wilderness of Lebanon to the great
Euphrates River and as far as the western Mediterranean Sea. No one would be
able to stand before them because the LORD would lay His dread on their enemies
just as He had guaranteed (Deuteronomy 11:18-25). After God’s pronunciation of
setting before them a blessing and a curse, He appoints two mountains symbolically,
Mount Gerizim gets the blessing placed on it, and Mount Ebel the curse. These
were areas beyond the Jordan in the land that they were about to possess
(Deuteronomy 11:29-32).
-*Application* The blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ is also very evident. He saves, rescues, delivers, and provides. We are
under the curse of sin until we receive His free gift of forgiveness through His
atonement earned by the cross of Calvary, paid in His living blood. Don’t
continue under the curse, trust Jesus and be set free with all the blessings He
offers to us as saints of His Kingdom!
Verses to Memorize:
Deuteronomy 11:26-28
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