READ DEUTERONOMY 28
GO DEEPER
In a previous section of Deuteronomy, the people of Israel received the Ten Commandments as a blessing from God. Through Moses, God outlined the laws to guide their conduct upon entering the Promised Land. In chapter 28, Moses presents the terms of the covenant inspired by God: blessings for obedience to His commands and curses for straying from His ways.
While this passage in the Scripture refers to a specific group of people at a certain period in history, we can still extract valuable lessons and gain wisdom from it that are relevant to our current times. The overall narrative of the Bible revolves around a supreme God who is paving a path for His people to establish a covenant with Him. In Deuteronomy, God provides a means for His rebellious children to enter this covenant by following the laws of Moses. Despite this generous offer, numerous stories in the broader Old Testament depict God's people choosing to disobey, leading them to face the consequences outlined in this chapter.
Throughout the Bible, God consistently emphasizes the choice between a path that leads to blessings and life and a path that leads to destruction and death. Despite receiving the law, Israel ultimately chose the latter path, resulting in their downfall.
So, God sent His Son. Romans 8:3, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."
God allows us the freedom to decide to follow Him, similar to how He gave Israel the choice as they entered the Promised Land. According to Paul, we are unable to choose to follow God's life-giving path in our own strength. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:6-8).
In our defiance, let us give thanks to God for providing a path through Jesus! May we be individuals who submit to the guidance of the Spirit of God in our thoughts, guiding us towards a path of tranquility and serenity.
QUESTIONS
1. What did you learn most from this chapter?
2. Galatians 3:10-14 teaches that being in Christ means being saved from the law's curse, as Christ took on the curse for us. How do you interpret this? How does this impact your lifestyle?
3. Have you accepted God's grace and let the Spirit guide your thoughts? Would you decide to do that now?