In 2011 I am continuing to read the bible through. I admit that I have come to love reading the Old Testament nearly as much as the New Testament. I marvel (and fear) that is seems to apply equally as much to the culture and society we find ourselves in today. Though it is certainly more, it is not less than an example given to us to learn from.
A consistent theme is Israel’s pilgrimage of following God as He leads them to the land He has promised and prepared for them. In Deuteronomy Moses is recounting the history of God’s great love, mercy, and protection in previous generations as they stand on the edge of going in to take the land. I am struck by the simple choice they constantly face: if they love God and obey Him, they will be blessed with land, rain, grain, livestock, and reputation. But, if they do not, they will lose those life-sustaining blessings. It all rests on their choice to obey or not.
While it seems like a no-brainer, there is a persistent warning that we need to heed. A people so richly blessed are susceptible to forget the Giver of those blessings and begin to “worship” the blessings themselves and/or claim credit for securing those blessings by their own strength and ingenuity (see 8:10-11, 17-19 as only a couple of examples). How could they possibly have the choice of being blessed or cursed (11:26-28) and somehow choose wrongly?
Apparently they had a “heart” problem. Deut. 8:14 warns that their hearts might be “lifted up” (become proud) causing them to forget God. They need to “circumcise” their hearts (10:16, symbolically cleanse their heart) and not be “stubborn.” They need to “take care” lest their hearts be “deceived” (11:16). They need to “lay up these words of mine in your [their] heart” (11:18).
Contrary to our common sense it is easy to forget God. It is easy to enjoy the blessings more than the Blesser. That is why Moses is reminding the people (and us) what NOT to do: not to be deceived, not to be stubborn, not to be proud. That is why he is telling them (and us) what TO do: memorize his words, tie them as a symbol on our hands and eyes, teach them to our children, talk about them constantly, write them where they can be seen regularly, whatever it takes to help them (and us) obey a God who has set His heart in love on us!
Do you want to live blessed? Consider the alternative. You can live any selfish way you please without regard for God. You may even perhaps for a season have your own personal gains and successes in the short-run. But eventually you will face a God who resists you and that is not a win-able position. Don’t be deceived! However, if you obey God, you may even struggle in the short-run, face some battles, be resisted by your peers. But, ultimately you will be living under God’s favor and He will meet every legitimate “need” that you have (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual).
Blessing or curse? The choice is yours. How hard could it be?
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