Blessings and Curses Part 1

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 27 - 28

The value of symbols

Chapter 27 begins Moses' third speech prior to crossing over into Canaan.

They're instructed to build a monument of the Law (v 27:2-4)

They're instructed to build an altar to the Lord (v 5-8)

What's the purpose behind verse 8? Symbols help us by:

celebrating the history of the organization, the values and people that have shaped it into what it is

orienting new people into the corporate culture by showing them what matters and why

communicating core values by emphasizing, explaining, and enacting the fundamental beliefs and principles on which the enterprise is built

providing a frame of reference through which all members of the organization can establish their identity in the group, evaluate their progress, and enforce accountability

(source: Word in Life Study Bible)

Signing The Covenant

The method: two groups on two mountaintops (v 12-14)

Spelling out the Curses (v 15 - 26)

Results of obedience -- the Blessings (28:1-14)

Success in business and farming

Fertility

Plenty of food to eat

Success against enemies

Good climate

Respect among nations

Results of disobedience -- the Curses (28:15-57)

Failure in business and farming

Starvation

Infertility

Confusion, strife, rejection from the Lord

Diseases

Drought

Destruction by enemies

Total breakdown of society

Blessings and Curses part 2

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 29 - 31

Conclusion of the covenant

The Lord is your God (29:2-7)

Keep the Agreement

It's for all of them, current and future (29:9-15)

Idol worship -- the bitterness of Wormwood (29:16-21)

See also Rev 8:11

The land will be laid to waste (29:22-23)

To the Glory of God (29:24-29)

People will see what happened to Israel

The answer will be a testimony of God

Seven prophetic promises

Israel will be dispersed among all nations (30:1)

There will be a future repentance of Israel in the Dispersion (30:2)

The Messiah will return (30:3)

Israel will be restored to the Land of Promise (30:4-5)

There will be a national conversion (30:6)

Israel's enemies will be judged (30:7-8)

Israel will receive her full blessing (30:9-10)

Choose life, not death

It's ain't that hard (30:11-14)

Moses' final appeal (30:15-20)

Moses' final speech

The commissioning of Joshua (31:1-8)

Keep the Faith! (31:9-13)

God writes a song (31:14-30)

Copyright 2003 Leon V. Smith. All rights reserved.