Read Deuteronomy 28 to Deuteronomy 28
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Highlights:

This powerful chapter has been used by the Holy Spirit to bring many to receive Christ as their Savior as well as to warn of the destruction of those who ignore Him.

Verses for Today:

If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to . . . do all His Commandments. . . . The Lord shall open unto thee His good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in His season, and to bless all the work of thine hand (Deut. 28:1,12).

The Israelites' enjoyment of His good treasure was inseparably linked with obedience to the Word of God. God bestows His good treasure of blessings on all who read His Word with a desire to know His will — that we might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10).

When we delight in His ways and pray: Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy Law (Ps. 119:18), we will experience the greatest satisfaction.

Moses further warned: If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all His Commandments. . . . The Lord shall make the pestilence (disease) cleave unto thee. . . . The Lord shall smite thee . . . . thou shalt not prosper in thy ways (Deut. 28:15,21-22,29).

Almost four times as many verses warn of the consequences of disobedience than of the blessings for obedience. The obvious conclusion of the Word of God is that each sin has a consequence — and it definitely does. However, this fact can also be misapplied, as in the case when Jesus' disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest (revealed) in him (John 9:2-3). What seemed to be a curse became a blessing, for it brought this man to his Savior. This points out that not all suffering is the result of sin and not all wealth and good health are necessarily a blessing from God. Consider the rich young ruler who chose to keep his wealth; it kept him from denying self and becoming a follower of Jesus (Matt. 19:16-22).

Victory over our present-day “Canaanite” giants — the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:16) — is achieved, not because of our abilities or lack of them but because of our desire to do the will of God. Overcoming power is found in cooperating with the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. We too can say: I can do all things (that He calls me to do) through Christ which strengtheneth me (Phil. 4:13).

Thought for Today:

Keep My Commandments, and live; and My Law as the apple of thine eye (Prov. 7:2).

Christ Portrayed:

As the One from whom our blessings come (Deut. 28:1-2). Blessed be . . . God . . . who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings . . . in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

Word Studies:

28:4 fruit of thy body children; fruit of thy ground produce; 28:7 smitten struck, defeated; 28:13 observe guard with your life and obey, the same Hebrew word translated keep in many places; 28:20 vexation confusion, frustration, trouble; 28:21 pestilence disease; consumed destroyed; 28:23 iron unproductive; 28:26 fray scare; 28:28 madness insanity; astonishment of heart bewilderment; 28:29 spoiled robbed, exploited; 28:32 fail with longing yearn, suffer emotionally; 28:33 eat up take away; 28:40 coasts territory, borders; 28:41 go into captivity be taken as slaves; 28:43 within thee living among you; 28:44 head chief, leader; 28:46 seed descendants; 28:48 a yoke of iron oppression; 28:50 regard respect; 28:52 fenced fortified; 28:53 straitness hardship; 28:56 tender young, timid; delicate weak; evil hostile; 28:58 fear have reverential heartfelt submission to and respect for; fearful awe-inspiring; 28:59 plagues diseases, disasters; wonderful extraordinarily great; 28:68 bondmen male slaves.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Linda Kennon • Assistant to the Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Terry Hall • Country: Bhutan (2 million) in the eastern Himalayas of central Asia • Major languages: Tibetan and Nepalese dialects • Public worship, evangelism, and proselytization are illegal • 50-70% Buddhist; 24-45% Hindu; 5% Muslim; <1% Protestant/Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that Christians would be united as Christ and God are one (John 17:11,21).

Optional Reading: John 1

Memory Verse for the Week:

Matthew 5:3-6