Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. (Deuteronomy 28:3)
Moses was very specific about the blessings that would overtake the obedient among God’s people. The initial expressions of the blessing are prosperity and security where they live, whether in the city or the country. That is an amazing statement as far as I’m concerned and here is why: in this day and age, crime, unrest and social challenges tend to be concentrated in the cities. That is not to say it doesn’t exist in rural areas but, let’s face it, there is a reason many Americans are fleeing heavily populated areas to live in the country — the more people, the more problems.
But when Israel walked in obedience, the blessings of God would be upon the places where people were sparse and where they were numerous. Furthermore, God promised that their numbers would grow along with their prosperity, giving them assurance that their children would thrive. That these two are mentioned back to back alludes to relationship between the land and the people. Specifically, we are formed from dust of the earth and, as God’s people, we should produce good fruit. So when we see the land prospering, it is an indication that the people are walking in obedience. On the other hand, when the land fails to produce its fruit, it might be a sign that the people are not producing good fruit as well. In short, where God’s people are concerned, the land responds to our obedience or disobedience accordingly.
So does this principle apply to us today and especially to those of us who live outside the land of Israel? I think it does, and given the present situation in most nations today, that doesn’t bode well for the future in respect to blessing and prosperity. That being said, the promises of God are well able to overtake and come upon those who are obedient even in a sea of wickedness. Even if the city is overturned, the people of God will be blessed. When all is drying up in the fields of the wicked, God can nurture the ground for the sake of His people. God’s blessing is for those who pursue righteousness and, no matter where they are, those blessings will seek them out. So then, let’s make certain that we are living in such a way that blessing cannot help but find us.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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