ADULT STS LESSON 147 BLESSINGS AND CURSES
MEMORY VERSE: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
TEXT: Deuteronomy chapters 27 to 30
Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness was ending while Moses’ ministry amongst them was winding up. His last exhortations were building up to a climax as he committed himself to telling Israel nothing but the truth. The truth is like a two-edged sword which, if received reverently, could comfort us, and if rejected, could crush us. The chapters capture God’s fatherly concern and exhortation to restrain Israel, His redeemed, from sinning against Him. He wanted them to remain faithful to His covenant and enjoy the plenteous provisions in the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 27:3). In pursuance of these goals, He clearly explained the easier path to blessings and the quickest way to come under a curse. This study focuses on the conditions for receiving either blessings or curses from God; the secrets of remaining in God’s covenant blessings and the authentic route of escape from the calamitous consequences of sin.
RESTATEMENT OF CONDITIONS FOR CURSES AND BLESSINGS (Deuteronomy 27:1-26; 28:1-68; 11:8-18; Exodus 20:1-26; 23:20-28; Jeremiah 11:2-5; Malachi 3:5,7-12; Matthew 6:33)
“And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day” (Deuteronomy 27:1). God has always been clear on His demands from all those who will be in covenant relationship with Him (Luke 14:25-27,33). They are to keep all His commandments if they want to enjoy His blessings. In our text, God was not willing to have excuses of ignorance or forgetfulness from Israel for disobedience. He therefore commanded them to set up on Mount Ebal, great plastered stones on which they were to write plainly all the words of the law (Deuteronomy 27:2-4,8). They were also to build an altar of whole stones for the purpose of making burnt and peace offerings unto the Lord (Deuteronomy 27:5- 7). The directive to set up a monument for the law was necessary in order to keep a memorial for Israel’s future generation and to remind them of their obligation to keep God’s commandments. This teaches us that we should be diligent in preserving a memorial for future generations concerning the full-orbed truth of God’s word, and tenaciously maintain acceptable scriptural standards in our Christian lives and professions. The truth should be committed to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (Titus 2:7; 2 Timothy 2:2). In addition, there was an altar of burnt and peace offerings in association with the laws written on the plastered stones. This altar and the sacrifices on it were not for sin offering, but signified a joyful fellowship with God. Israel was commanded to build the altar with whole stones; they were not allowed to change the natural shape of the stones or improve on their appearances (Deuteronomy 27:5). We learn here that our hearts should be wholly devoted to God and our worship must be devoid of traditions that do not have any root in the word of God (Mark 7:5-8; Colossians 2:20-22). “And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day” (Deuteronomy 27:9, 10). The content of the words of the law, which the leaders were to write and read contained not only promises and blessings, but also warnings and curses. This exemplifies the proper balance that should be in the songs and sermons of all faithful gospel ministers. The people were commanded to say Amen to both the blessings and curses. There was no room for them to be selective in their obedience to the word of God. Similarly, the division into the group of tribes to bless, and the group of tribes to curse was not by personal choice but by divine appointment (Deuteronomy 27:12,13). Whatever assignments we receive from church leadership should be done as unto the Lord, giving no room to suspicion, excuses and complaints (Philippians 2:14). “And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice, Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen” (Deuteronomy 27:14,26).. The curses were to be read aloud so that the people will hear clearly, feel its gravity and learn to reverence God. Their expected response of “Amen” was to attest to their agreement with the Word. The Levites loudly pronounced curses on one, secret idolaters (Deuteronomy 27:15); two, dishonour to parents (Deuteronomy 27:16); three, removal of neighbour’s landmark (Deuteronomy 27:17); four, making the blind to wander out of the way (Deuteronomy 27:18); five, perversion of justice (Deuteronomy 27:19); six, all forms of sexual immorality including incest and bestiality (Deuteronomy 27:20-23); seven, ambush (Deuteronomy 27:24); eight, assassination and contract killing (Deuteronomy 27:25); and nine, inward disagreement with the word of God (Deuteronomy 27:26). The combined impact of these heinous sins on the nation of Israel would be: one, strange and chronic diseases with depopulation (Deuteronomy 28:21,22,27,28,35,59-62); two, scarcity and drought (Deuteronomy 28:23,24); three, shameful defeats in battle and death without decent burial (Deuteronomy 28:25,26); four, spoiling, stumbling and oppression (Deuteronomy 28:28,29; Isaiah 59:10); five, shocking disappointments and denials (Deuteronomy 28:30- 34,38-44); six, scattering, slavery and distress in distant lands (Deuteronomy 28:36,47,48,64,65); and seven, siege, starvation and cannibalism (Deuteronomy 28:49- 57). These dire consequences of sin should make Christians flee the slightest appearance and approach of sin (Psalm 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:22). God, however, promised overwhelming and boundless blessings to all Israelites who would keep His commandments and covenant (Deuteronomy 27:1; 29:9); take heed and diligently hearken to His voice (Deuteronomy 27:10; 28:1,2); and fear His glorious name (Deuteronomy 28:58). The promised blessings, among others, include, promotion and preeminence among all nations (Deuteronomy 28:1,13), productivity and fruitfulness (Deuteronomy 28:4), power over all aggressors (Deuteronomy 28:7), plenteousness in goods, open heaven and freedom from borrowing (Deuteronomy 28:11,12).
REMEMBERING GOD’S GOODNESS AND ABIDING IN HIS COVENANT (Deuteronomy 29:1-29; 6:10-15; 26:1,5-10; Nehemiah 9:20-25; Psalm 78:1-7; Isaiah 63:7)
“These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land” (Deuteronomy 29:1,2). Our God is a covenant-keeper. He will never walk with anyone who is not in agreement with Him. He remains faithful to His part of the agreement as long as believers remain faithful to theirs (Exodus 34:6,7; Psalm 89:34; Amos 3:3). Our text reveals two important secrets that will help believers remain faithful to God’s covenant. One, we must remember the past goodness of God. Forgetfulness of His past goodness leads to unfaithfulness (Judges 8:33,34; Psalm 78:10,11). Moses called Israel to the remembrance of God’s great signs and miracles in Egypt and His sustaining power in their forty years of journeying through the wilderness. This was to stir up their steadfast obedience to the covenant the Lord was about to make with them (Deuteronomy 29:2,3,5-9). Two, believers must understand the ways and word of God (Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 13:4, 19). The understanding of the word of God demands a heart- searching prayer. These prayers should be focused on asking the Lord for a receptive and obedient heart (Psalm 119:18; Matthew 13:13-16). The following facts should also be noted about the covenant of God with Israel in the land of Moab. One, it was binding on all Israelites regardless of status, age and gender. In fact, even their servants and the strangers were not excluded (Deuteronomy 29:10,11). Two, the covenant was ratified and confirmed by a solemn oath of the Lord (Deuteronomy 29:12; Hebrews 6:17,18). Three, it was to establish a mutual commitment to God. He was to be their God and they His people (Deuteronomy 29:13; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18). Four, absenteeism at the time of this covenant did not remove obligations under it (Deuteronomy 29:14, 15). Five, the covenant was to keep them away from the abominable idolatries of Egypt and other heathen nations (Deuteronomy 29:16,17). God hates all forms of sinful imitations but wants all His people to be peculiar (Numbers 23:9; Deuteronomy 18:9; Jeremiah 10:2). Six, He enforces His covenant. Hypocritical positive confessions will not shield the impudent transgressor from God’s anger and judgment, which will serve as deterrent to present and future generations (Deuteronomy 29:18-28; Jeremiah 23:19). Seven, the word of the Lord as revealed in this covenant was sufficient for the welfare and survival of Israel if they obeyed (Deuteronomy 29:29).
RETURNING TO THE LORD AND THE RESTORATION OF HIS COMFORTS (Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Joel 2:12- 27; Jeremiah 15:19-21; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Revelation 3:19,20)
God promised to turn the captivity of Israel and bring them back to the Promised Land that He gave to their fathers, if they returned to Him (Deuteronomy 30:1,2,8,10,20). Likewise, believers who have forsaken the old path of truth and snared by the so-called modern gospel, shall find rest for their souls, if they will ask for the good way and walk therein (Jeremiah 6:16). God is willing to restore all who turn to Him from their backsliding. This study frontally debunks the doctrine of predestination and eternal security. The children of Israel were clearly at liberty to choose their lot and destiny either life and good or death and evil (Deuteronomy 30:15). They were even encouraged to choose life and blessing instead of death and cursing (Deuteronomy 30:19; Matthew 7:13, 14). The uniform testimony of the Scriptures is that the God of love wants all sinners saved because He has no pleasure in the death of any (Ezekiel 18:30-32; John 3:16). The Father is just in all His ways and will always do right. He governs the universe and dispenses His grace according to the clearly revealed and unchanging principles of His word (2 Samuel 22:26-28; Psalm 22:28; Malachi 3:6; Zechariah 1:2-6; Matthew 24:35). Those who do well in obeying His word, He receives and blesses while those who disobey, He rejects and curses (Genesis 4:4-7). Truly, God is no respecter of persons. He is reaching out to receive sinners who repent of their sins, rely on the vicarious sacrifice of Jesus Christ and receive Him as personal Lord and Saviour (Jeremiah 3:13; Romans 1:16). He will forgive all past sins and empower such repentant ones to live a new life of righteousness in this present world.
Questions for review:
- Point out the significance of the setting up of the great stones of the words of the law and the building of an altar of whole stones on mount Ebal.
- From James 2:10, why are believers of the new covenant not expected to be selective in obeying the Lord?
- Why were the Levites commanded to pronounce the curses loud and the people should respond “Amen”?
- Mention some of the curses for the disobedient and blessings for the obedient highlighted in this study.
- Name two important precepts that will enable a believer to remain faithful to the word of God.
- What is the permanent solution to the problems of curses and yokes?
- How does this study debunk the doctrine of eternal security?