But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. (Deuteronomy 28:15)
No one likes to discuss unpleasant topics and especially if they are looking for inspiration to start their day in a positive way such as in a daily devotion. However, we must consider that the inspiration to do good things and live an abundant life can be generated by a reminder not to do the wrong thing. And so it is that, for the rest of this chapter, Moses reminds Israel of the outcome that will befall them if they became disobedient.
As you read the end result for abandoning the covenant, it becomes obvious that what once were blessings for obedience became curses for disobedience. In other words, it would appear God’s laws have a reverse side to them, as it were, made visible only when we decide to disobey Him. Think of this way: Eve’s perspective of the forbidden tree was that it was good for food, pleasant to the eye and capable of imparting wisdom even though God had said, “Don’t eat it’s fruit or you will die.” Only when she and her husband had disobeyed did they realize that there was another side to this “good tree” — the evil side.
That prompts this question and our main point today: when man decided to ignore God’s command and eat the fruit of that tree, did God pronounce death upon them? Or was it that they brought death upon themselves by choosing to do what was contrary to the word of the LORD, that is, eating a poisonous fruit? Did God place a curse on Israel when they refused to obey or did Israel bring a curse upon themselves by ignoring God’s admonition to choose righteousness? I am of the view that the resulting curses of disobedience are the logical consequences of our actions, not necessarily God’s response to our actions.
We are told that there are two roads in life: one is broad and leads to destruction while the other is narrow and leads to life. If we defiantly choose the road whose destination is death should we expect to enjoy God’s blessings? Of course not! Anyone who chooses that road should expect that the way will be lined with curses, which I would argue, are there to serve as provocation to get off that road and get on the one that leads to life and blessing. It’s a hard road and not too many choose it but, in the end, it will pay great dividends. Therefore, remember the word of the LORD: “I set before you today a blessing and a curse — choose life!”
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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