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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
November 11, 2007
How To Live in God’s Blessing
Deuteronomy
Introduction
I think that it is safe to say that everyone would like to live in God’s blessings rather than His curses. The ways in which people seek to secure that are as varied as the colors in a rainbow. People have developed all sorts of religious and philosophical systems upon which they base their ethical standards by which they hope to experience blessings in life. Even atheists seek to ensure this in their own twisted way by denying there is a God so that they will not suffer any of His curses. But since denial does not remove reality, they will still be held accountable and face God’s judgements.
The first step in gaining God’s blessing is removing ourselves from His judgment, and the Bible is clear on how to do that. Even last week we saw that in how the Lord dealt with the sons of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. (See: Numbers) The Lord brought judgment upon those that willfully sinned in defiance of His commands and instructions, but He forgave those that repented and sought His mercy and grace. The sacrificial system itself was a continual reminder of both the high cost of sin, for an animal had to die, and learning to trust God’s promises to receive His mercy through a substitute offering. The animal itself was not sufficient to take away sin, so no one could demand God accept them based on any animal sacrifice (Psalm 40:6-8; 51:16-17). Forgiveness was based in the person’s faith and in the Lord and not in the sacrifice itself. (See: The Sacrificial System – 10/21/07).
The second step of living in God’s blessings is obedience to His commands and instructions. We will see that very thing today in our study of the book of Deuteronomy. If you walk in obedience to the Lord, you will be blessed. If you walk in defiance to His commands, you will be cursed.
Overview
The name “Deuteronomy” means “second law” for in it Moses repeats the Law of God to the second generation that had come out of Egypt. It has been 40 years, 10 ½ months since they left Egypt. It is just shy of 40 years since God cursed all those 20 and older of the first generation to wander in the wilderness and die there because they had grumbled against the Lord and refused to obey His command to go up and take the land (Deuteronomy 1:26-40). Now it was their children, the very ones they feared would be taken as plunder, that were now encamped and ready to cross the Jordan and begin the conquest of the rest of the lands starting with Jericho.
Moses wanted them to be prepared not only for what lay ahead in conquering the land, but even more importantly, how they were to live in that land once they had conquered it. He wanted them to know how they could live in God’ blessings and avoid His curses. He did this by first giving them a brief recounting of their history in chapters 1-4. Next, Moses went over the stipulations of God’s covenant with them explaining both general and specific laws the Lord had placed upon them (Deuteronomy 5-26). Then Moses detailed both the blessing they would receive if they were obedient as well as the curses that would come upon them if they were disobedient to the Lord (Deuteronomy 27-30). The book ends with Moses’ final words including his commissioning of Joshua, his song of warning and his blessings on each tribe. That section concludes with Moses’ death on Mount Nebo and being buried by the Lord, and Joshua assuming command.
Their History (Deuteronomy 1-4)
It is important to know where you came from in order to know where you are going, otherwise you could end up back where you started from. That is as true in the progress of a nation as it is in physical directions. Moses gives them a brief history lesson to explain why they were where they were that day and what they were to accomplish in the future. Moses started with the command God gave about a year after they had left Egypt to go up and conquer the land promised to their forefathers (Deut. 1:7-8). However, after the land was spied out the report by ten of the spies about the large and strong people in the land discouraged them and led them to rebel against the Lord’s command despite all they had seen the Lord do in Egypt and the pleading by Moses, Joshua and Caleb to trust the Lord (Deut. 1:19-33). The result was that all in that generation 20 years and older were cursed to wander in the wilderness for 40 years and die there (Deut. 1:34-46).
Those years had passed and they had now passed through the lands of their relatives the Edomites, the Moabites and the Ammonites, whom they were not to harass or provoke, and they were to pay for any food or water they used (Deut. 2:1-25). They had also already conquered the nations east of the Jordan that were part of God’s promise to them. This included the lands of the Ammorites, Bashan and Gilead (Deut. 2:26-3:11). The people in those lands were to be utterly destroyed because of their wickedness and abominations (Deut. 9:4,5; 12:31. See also Genesis 15:16). Those lands were given to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh as their possession (Deut. 3:12-17)
Just as the Lord had enabled them to conquer these lands, so the Lord would enable them to conquer the remaining lands, for the Lord would fight for them (Deut. 3:22; 20:4). He would also protect the families of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh as their fighting men went with the rest of the tribes to conquer the remaining lands.
Moses concluded the history lesson in chapter 4 with a call for them to heed its lessons and obey the statutes and judgement of the Lord so that they “may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you” (Deut. 4:1). Even that generation had seen with their own eyes the Lord’s judgements on those that sinned against the Lord as had happened at Baal-Peor and the Lord killed 24,000 of them because of their sacrifice to false gods. They were not only to be diligent in remembering these lessons themselves, but they were also to teach them to the generations that would follow them. They were not to make any graven images or idol to worship for if they did then they would not live long in the land but would be scattered instead (Deut. 4:15-28). There only hope would be to repent and seek the Lord again for He is compassionate and would not destroy them or forget His covenant with them (Deut. 4:29-31). The gods of the nations could not compare with the Lord, for He alone is God in heaven above and on the earth below and there is no other (Deut. 4:32-34). Moses concluded saying, “So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time” (Deut. 4:40).
The Stipulations of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 5-26)
Deuteronomy is quoted in the New Testament 54 times. Only the Psalms (79 times) are quoted more. Forty four of those quotes are taken from this section in which Moses explains the stipulations of the covenant and the Law of God.
The Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5)
Moses summoned all of Israel again and explained the covenant the Lord had made with them. He began by recounting the Ten Commandments that the Lord has spoken to all the people when they were at Mount Sinai. They were not to have any other god before the Lord. They were not to make any idols or graven images to worship or serve them because the Lord is a jealous God who would visit iniquity on those who hate Him, but lovingkindness on those who love Him and keep His commandments. They were not to take the name of the Lord in vain. They were to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. They were to honor their father and mother. They were not to murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness or covet anything of their neighbor’s (Deut. 5:6-21). Each of these commandments are repeated in the New Testament for Christians to follow except keeping the Sabbath (see: The Ten Commandments – 9/30/07). Moses explained the benefit of observing and walking in the Lord’s commandments without turning aside to the right or left. It was so “that you may live, and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong [your] days in the land which you shall possess” (Deut. 5:32,33).
The Great Commandment (Deuteronomy 6)
Prosperity was directly related to their knowing and following the Lord. This was not just for them but also for the generations to follow. How were the generations to follow to learn these truths? Deuteronomy 6:4-9 explains. “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 “And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; 7 and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 “And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 “And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
The responsibility to teach the next generation about God and how to walk in His commands falls upon the parents. First, they had to understand God correctly. Verses 4 & 5 are called the shema, which means “hear.” That statement itself reveals the plural nature of the Lord for it says, “The Lord (Yahweh – singular) is our God (Elohim – plural), the Lord (Yahweh – singular) is one. The Lord is a plural unity. This is backed up by the plurals used all the way back in Genesis 1:26 in that God said, “Let us (plural) make man in our (plural) image.” The plural nature of the one Lord is throughout the Old and New Testament. May favorite passage for this in the Old Testament is Isaiah 48:16 in which the One who is the first and the last and the founder of the earth is sent by the Lord God and His Spirit. All three persons of the divine Godhead expressed distinctly in one passage.
Second, they had to love the Lord God properly. It was to be with all their heart, soul and might. Jesus said this the great and foremost commandment (Matthew 12:30,31). Every other commandment is dependent upon this one.
Third, not only this great commandment, but all the other commandments Moses was going to give them were to be on the hearts of each one of them. You cannot teach someone something that is not part of you. If you attempt to do so all that will be seen is the hypocrisy resulting in a rejection of the lesson. Having it on your heart does not mean that you will be perfect in carrying it out, but it does mean that it is your desire and any failing to carry it out will result in repentance and a further striving. It is repentance and humility that keeps us from being hypocrites in declaring the truth of God even when we fail to keep it ourselves (See Romans 7:14-25).
Fourth, the lessons about God and His commandments are to be taught diligently. It is not going to occur by simple proximity and osmosis. If you do not point out what you are thinking and why you are doing what you are doing others are not going to know. If you do not point out the character of God and tell others what He commands concerning the situation you are facing they will remain in ignorance. Don’t assume others, especially your children, know what you know and know what you are thinking. You are to train them by making the conscious effort to tell them about God and explain His will to them.
Fifth, the lessons about God and His commandments are to be taught in the various situations that occur throughout daily life. They were not to be regulated to some classroom time as is often the practice in western societies because we tend to follow a Greek mindset in education. It really is not about gaining intellectual knowledge and being able to regurgitate that on a test. It is not about gaining academic degrees. We need the Hebrew mindset that a lesson is not learned until you can actually do it, and in this context it means that your relationship with God and obedience to Him is demonstrated in every area of daily life. You are to take advantage of each situation of daily life. You are to talk about God and His will in all the things that come up from the time you get up until you go to bed. You also create opportunities as you walk by purposely going to a place, a situation, in which you can teach them a lesson you know they need to learn.
Sixth, you set up reminders for yourself and for your children so that God’s law is continually guiding you. That is why it was to be as a sign on your hand and a frontal on your forehead and have them written on your doorpost and gates. That part of the command was not supposed to degenerate into phylacteries and mezuzahs that are displayed outwardly. What is written in them is supposed to be displayed outwardly by your life – “The Lord is our God. The Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might!
Warnings and Promises (Deuteronomy 7-11)
In chapters 7-11 Moses gives them warnings and promises. Warnings about the spiritual dangers they would face when they went into the land. Warnings about the consequences if they turned to follow the evil practices and religions of the people they were replacing. Promises about God’s goodness to them.
Among the dangers they would face would be pride that they were somehow superior to all other people. Moses corrected that by pointing out in Deuteronomy 7:7-8 that “The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Moses added in Deuteronomy 9:4-5, “Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land, ‘but [it is] because of the wickedness of these nations [that] the Lord is dispossessing them before you. 5 “It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but [it is] because of the wickedness of these nations [that] the Lord your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” They were not in any way a superior people deserving of the Lord’s blessings, for they were in fact a stubborn and rebellious people (9:6; 31:27). They received the Lord’s blessings only because He choose to set His love on them and fulfill His promises to their forefathers.
Another danger would be the influence of the people they were displacing. Deuteronomy 7:22 says, “And the Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you” (See also Exodus 23:29-30). The Lord would intervene so that Israel would conquer the lands (Deuteronomy 7:17-24; 11:22-23), but it would be over time, and during that transition they had to be very careful not to be influenced by them. They were not to make any covenant with them, intermarry with them, follow their practices or serve their gods (Deuteronomy 7:2-5, 25-26).
Moses also reminded them of all the Lord’s good care of them while they were in the wilderness. During that entire time their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell (8:4). He fed them with manna as both a test of their obedience and also so that they would learn “that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3). He would also provide for them in the good lands into which they were going if they were careful to follow the Lord. They would be blessed if they obeyed and cursed if they did not (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). What the Lord required of them is stated in Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 [and] to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” They were to circumcise their hearts and stiffen their necks no more because of the very character of the Lord, the great and mighty and awesome God that is Lord of lords, does not show partiality, nor take a bribe, but executes justice for even the orphan and widow and shows love even for the alien by giving him food and clothing (Deuteronomy 10:16-18).
Laws about Worship (Deuteronomy 12-16)
In chapters 12-16 Moses reminded them “you are a holy people to the Lord your God; and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” and so they needed to follow the Lord’s laws concerning worship. Moses recounted the laws of the sanctuary, of sacrifices and being ceremonially clean (Deuteronomy 12 & 14). They were to keep the Sabbaths and the sabbatic years as well as the various feasts including the Feast of Passover, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths (Deuteronomy 15 -16). He also sternly warned them again about idolatry and that anyone that sought to lead them astray in any manner after another god was to be put to death even if it was their own family or friend (Deuteronomy 13).
Laws on Justice & Morality (Deuteronomy 17-25)
A holy people are to live in a holy manner so Moses also recounted aspects of God’s moral laws. We covered many of these when going over Leviticus (See: God’s Moral Standards), but Moses expands in several areas in Deuteronomy. For example, in chapter 17 he explains again the importance of justice and that one witness is insufficient to establish the truth in court, so there would need to be two or three. Moses goes further on this subject in also setting forth a law for future kings that would be set up after they established themselves in the land. Kings were to be from among their own countrymen. They were not to multiply horses lest they trust their own military might instead of the Lord. They were not to multiply wives lest they turn his heart from the Lord. They were also not to multiply silver and gold. The king was to write a copy of God’s law and then read it all the days of his life so that he would live by it lest his heart be lifted up (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). This would also prevent injustice.
In Deuteronomy 18 Moses expands on the laws against spiritism and also explains how to test a prophet. The occultic practices of the nations was one of the reasons God was going to drive out those nations before Israel. Passing children through the fire, divination, witchcraft, omens, sorcery, casting spells, and the use of mediums were all detestable before the Lord and those who practiced them were to be put to death.
There would be future prophet that would be like Moses that God would speak through and they were to listen and heed him. However, they needed a way to distinguish him from the false prophets that would come, so Moses set up a simple twofold test. Any one that spoke in the name of any other god was false and was to be put to death. Any one that made a prophesy that did not come true was presumptuous and so was also a false prophet. They were not be afraid of him, and they were to put him to death (Deuteronomy 18:14-22). (Imagine if modern preachers and self-proclaimed prophets were held to this standard).
Deuteronomy 19 covers laws concerning cities of refuge, justice for the manslayer, landmarks and testimonies while Deuteronomy 20 gives the laws concerning warfare. The laws of warfare determined who was going to go into battle and what was to be done to their enemies. Interesting enough, only those who were brave and did not have particular obligations were to fight. They were to utterly destroy everything in the cities of the Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite and Jebusite because of their detestable practices and worship of false gods (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). However, when they were at war with other nations they were to follow particular rules of engagement and conquest including seeking to make peace first.
Deuteronomy 21 covers investigation of a murder by an unknown assailant, domestic relations, incorrigible children and the sign of being cursed. Parents who had incorrigible children were to bring them before the elders and explain that their son is stubborn, rebellious, disobedient, a glutton and a drunkard, and then the men of the city were to stone him to death and remove the evil from among them (vs. 18-21). The body of a person executed for their sin was to be hung on a tree and then taken down before nightfall. All those that hang on a tree show they have been cursed by God. Paul cites this passage in Galatians 3:13 pointing out that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us.”
Deuteronomy 22 covers a variety of laws including care for lost property, cross dressing, care for nature, building safety, adultery and rape. Deuteronomy 23 explains not only who would be excluded from the assembly for various reasons, but also that not keeping a vow is a sin and the rules for eating out of someone else’s field or vineyard.
The first four verses of Deuteronomy 24 are referenced quite a few times in the New Testament because they cover the laws of divorce. (See sermon on divorce) This is a passage that seems to be wrongly interpreted and applied more often than not. It neither promotes or justifies divorce, but it does demand that the proper certificate is issued as a protection for the woman, and it declares that it is an abomination for a woman divorced and remarried to ever go back to the first husband. (See: Dangers of Divorce and What God Says About Divorce) This chapter also covers pledges, kidnapping, leprosy, loans, oppression of hired servants, widows and orphans, individual guilt and gleaning. Chapter 25 continues with laws on the limits of physical punishment, a kinsman redeemer, and just weights for business.
Laws on Entering the Land (Deuteronomy 26)
Chapter 26 details the specific offerings required for when they first established themselves in the land and then concludes with Moses’ call for them to do all these statutes, for they were a consecrated people to the Lord.
Curses & Blessings (Deuteronomy 27-30)
After detailing the various statutes, Moses directed them to prepare a large stone upon which the words of the law were to be written down. These would then be set up on Mount Ebal after they crossed the Jordan river. Then half of the tribes would stand on Mount Girizim for the blessing and half of the tribes would stand on Mount Ebal for the curses. The blessings and curses would be read by the Levites and all the people were then to respond with the “Amen.”
Curses on Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27)
The curses were to be on those who made an idol, those who dishonored their father or mother, those who moved their neighbors boundary mark, those who mislead the blind, those you distorted justice, those you committed sexual sin, those who would strike a neighbor in secret, those who accepted bribes and those that would not confirm the words of the law by doing them.
Blessings on Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 28)
The blessings were to be on those who obeyed the Lord, whether in the city or the country. The offspring of their body, of their produce and of their beasts would be blessed as would their basket and kneading bowl. They would be blessed when they came in and when they went out. Their enemies would be defeated and flee. Their barns and all that they did would be blessed. They would be established as the Lord’s holy people so that they would be called by the name of the Lord, and all the peoples of the earth would be afraid of them. They would abound in prosperity and receive the rains in their seasons so that they would lend, but not borrow. They would be the head and not the tail, above and not underneath. All they needed to do was listen to and carefully observe the Lord’s commandments and not turn away from them or go after other gods to serve them.
If they did not, then there would be severe consequences and every point of blessing would become a curse. They would be cursed in their cities, in the country, going in and coming out. Their basket, kneading bowl, offspring, produce and herds would all be cursed. Pestilence would cling to them and the Lord would smite them with consumption, fevers, inflammations, fiery heat, the sword, blight and mildew along with the boils of Egypt, tumors, scab and itch, madness, blindness and bewilderment of heart. The rain would be withheld. Their enemies would be victorious so that others would enjoy their work. Their children would go into slavery. They would serve a foreign king and foreign gods. The would go lower and lower and be the tail and underneath. As pointed out in Leviticus 26, the longer they remained in rebellion the worse the curses would become. They would be invaded and besieged resulting famine so severe they would resort to cannibalism. The plagues and sicknesses would get worse and they would get the diseases of Egypt until the remnant would be few in number and they would be carried off to captivity where they would receive no rest and would despair of soul with their lives hanging in doubt. All because they would not follow the Lord’s commands.
The Covenant & Hope (Deuteronomy 29-30)
The Lord made a covenant with them on the plains of Moab that they and those what would follow them would be established as the people of the Lord just as He swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses once again warned the about disobeying the Lord’s commandments and the judgements that would fall on the generations to come when they did, but Moses also gave them hope as detailed in chapter 30.
Even in the midst of captivity, if they would return to the Lord and obey Him with all their heart and soul He would have compassion and restore them and regather them to the land and bless them there. The curses that had been upon them would be inflicted upon their enemies.
Moses called on them to choose life in God’s blessing after pointing out in Deuteronomy 30:11-14, “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. 12 “It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 13 “Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 14 “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.”
Obedience to God’s commands is not out of reach because there is within it the means to repent from failure and receive forgiveness from a gracious and merciful God.
Conclusions.
The book of Deuteronomy concludes with Moses’ final counsel and the commission of Joshua along with the song Moses taught the people as a warning against turning away from the Lord, and finally, Moses blessings upon each tribe. At the age of 120 Moses was still clear of eye and full of vigor and the Lord let him see the promised land from the top of Mount Nebo before his death. The Lord then buried Moses there in the valley in an unknown place. The people mourned Moses for thirty days and then Joshua was ready to lead the people in the conquest of the land God had promised them. They would live in all the blessings Moses described if they would obey the Lord. They would experience all the curses if they rebelled against Him.
The specifics of the blessings and the curses belong to the nation of Israel alone, but the general truth underlying the specifics belong to all people. If we desire the Lord’s blessing in our lives then we must know the Lord and love Him with all our heart, soul and strength. That love is demonstrated in our following His will as He has revealed it in the Bible, for those that love God will keep His commandments (Deut. 30:16; 1 John 5:3). Blessings come from obedience and curses for disobedience.
The non-Christian that does seeks out God to love Him will find faith in Jesus Christ because they will know that He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. They will turn from their sin and false beliefs and become a Christian, for that is God’s stated will (2 Peter 3:9; John 6:29; John 3:16-18). Their first blessing will be having their sins forgiven (Romans 4:8).
The Christian who does this will be maturing and will find a joy and peace in all circumstances that cannot be explained except the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. There will be a growing sense of eternal purpose that transcends everything in this present world. He will be blessed in what he does (James 1:25), and even if reviled and persecuted he will have the blessing of the Spirit of glory and God will rest upon him (1 Peter 4:14).
To walk in continued disobedience brings curses. For the non-Christian it brings the continued descent into greater sin as explained in Romans 1:18-32. For the Christian there is the loss of blessing, followed by admonition and correction, followed in turn by increasing chastisement from God even to the point of sickness and death (Hebrews 12:4-11; 1 Corinthians 11:30).
Blessing or curses? Which do you want in your life? The choice is yours and is determined by how you live in your relationship with God.
Sermon Notes – November 11, 2007
KIDS CORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up later. 2) Count how many times the word “blessing” is used in the sermon. Talk with your parents about how you can have the Lord’s blessings in your life
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. Why do people want God’s blessings? How do you gain God’s blessings? Why was it important for Moses to tell them their history? What is the danger of not knowing your history? Why were they restricted from even harassing the Edomites, Moabites and Ammonites? Why were those nations in the lands God was giving them to be utterly destroyed? What would be the benefit of walking in the Lord’s commands? What is the Great Commandment? What does it mean that the Lord is plural unity? What does Isaiah 48:16 tell us about the Lord? Whose responsibility is it to teach the next generation about the Lord & His commands? What is necessary for that to happen? When should it happen? Why did the Lord choose to set His love on Israel and make them a people for Himself? Why would the lands be conquered only a little at a time? What danger did this pose to the Israelites? What did the Lord require of the Israelites (Deut. 10:12-16)? What was to happen to anyone that advocated another god? What were the requirements for a future king? How were they to distinguish between true prophets and false prophets? Who was to stay in the army and who was allowed to go home? What is the significance hanging a person on a tree? What would bring about God’s curses upon them? What would bring about God’s blessings upon them? What were some of the specific blessings they would be given? What were some of the specific curses that would come upon them? What would happen if they continued in rebellion? What would happen if they repented and loved the Lord? What was Moses’ final warning to the nation? Why was Moses only allowed to see the promised land and not enter into it? While the specific blessings and curses belong only to the nation of Israel, the general principles apply to everyone. What blessings do non-Christians receive in obeying the Lord? For Christians in obeying the Lord. For non-Christians in rebelling against the Lord. For Christians in rebelling against the Lord. How have you seen God’s blessings and curses in your own life? How will you ensure His blessings in the future?
How to Live in God’s Blessing – Deuteronomy
Introduction
The first step of gaining God’s blessing is removing ourselves from His _______________
The second step of gaining God’s blessing is ________________
Overview
Deuteronomy means ____________________
Chapters 1-4 recounts their ________________
Chapters 5-26 give the __________________ of the Covenant
Chapters 27-30 are the ________________ and curses
Chapters 31-34 cover ___________ final words
Their History (Deuteronomy 1-4)
It is important to know where you ________________ in order to know where you _______________
They had not trusted God and so spent _____________ wandering in the wilderness
They had already conquered the _____________, Bashan and Gilead
It was because of their ____________ & __________ that God commanded those nations to be destroyed.
They needed to ___________ God in order to take possession of the land the Lord was giving them.
Stipulations of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 5-26)
The Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5)
If they kept God’s commandments they would ____________, it would be __________ with them.
The Great Commandment (Deuteronomy 6)
The responsibility of teaching the next generation belongs to the ___________________
The Lord is God, the Lord is one means that the Lord is a _______________ unity (see Isaiah 48:____)
The Great Commandment is to ____________ with all your heart, soul and might (Matthew 12:30-31)
Lessons about God and walking with Him must be taught _______________
Lessons about God and walking with Him must be taught the ______________________ of life
Warnings and Promises (Deuteronomy 7-11)
They were not chosen because of being either more numerous or __________ but to confirm God’s oath.
They were not to be ________________ by the nations they were displacing.
God would provide for them in the land they were going if they were careful to ___________ the Lord
Laws about Worship (Deuteronomy 12-16)
Anyone that sought to lead them astray to serve another God was to be ________________
Laws on Justice & Morality (Deuteronomy 17-25)
Kings were not to multiply horses, _____ or gold and silver. They were to _____ the law for themselves.
If a prophet’s prophecy was not _________% accurate, they were false and were to be put to death
Only the Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite and Jebusite nations were to be ______________.
An incorrigible son was subject to ____________
__________ was hung on a tree because He was cursed for us (Deut. 21:22-23; Gal. 3:13)
Laws on Entering the Land (Deuteronomy 26)
Curses and Blessings (Deuteronomy 27-30)
Curses on Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27)
Those who did not ___________ the words of the law by _________ them would be cursed
Blessings on Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 28)
Those who listened to and carefully ____________ the Lord’s commands would be blessed.
If they did not, the ___________ would happen and their blessing would turn into __________
The longer they remained in _____________, the worse it would get (See also Leviticus 26)
The Covenant & Hope (Deuteronomy 29-30)
If they __________ and obeyed the Lord, He would restore them
This commandment is not ___________________, nor is it out of reach (Deut. 30:11)
Conclusion (Deuteronomy 31-34)
Moses died at the age of ________ with clear eye and full of vigor
The specific blessings and curses belong to ________________ alone. The principle applies to everyone.
If you ___________ God you will be blessed. If you ________________ God you will be cursed.
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