Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)
There are a couple of Hebrew words that are typically translated as “Behold,” the prominent one being הנני hineni, which is also translated “Here I am.” However in this verse the word is ראה re’eh which is also translated as “See.” Therefore, Moses is telling the children of Israel to look and to see that, before them is the choice between blessing and curses. Considering all they had experienced, it should have been very easy to see the difference and, consequently, the importance of being obedient to God.
In Egypt, they saw how God placed a distinction between Israel and Egypt so much so that not even a dog would move its tongue (Exodus 11:7). After they had crossed through the sea and come to Sinai, God reminded Israel of the circumstances that had brought them to the mountain: “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians” (Exodus 19:4). In other words, the difference between salvation and destruction was obvious to those who would bother to observe — it could be “seen.” So then, as they prepared to enter Canaan, they were challenged to look and see the difference, so that when they were seduced by other philosophies later, they would know what disobedience would render.
Outside of the Holy Spirit, there is no greater teacher than experience. Where Israel was concerned, they experienced a lot, sometimes victory and sometimes defeat. But through it all, there was the constant reminder that the Almighty was with them and leading them to their ultimate destination. Likewise we stumble and fall but, as He gives us the strength, we can get back up to continue on our journey. So then, as we look back on those different experiences, let us remember that our way never turns out right but God’s way is blessed with prosperity and peace. It should be quite obvious to all who will observe and “see” it.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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