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God had promised blessings if Israel obeyed His commands
fully, and curses if they didn’t. Yet we
know that the sinful heart of man
would make total obedience by everyone
all but impossible. There is a warning
in my commentary that these blessings are not promised to the church today –
only to Israel in that day: “Israel was
still in its spiritual infancy, and one way to teach children is by means of
rewards and punishments. These material
blessings were God’s way of reminding His children that obedience brings blessing but disobedience
brings chastening … It wasn’t long, though, before they saw that wicked
people were also getting blessed, so
there was something more to faith than just being rewarded.”
I read some key passages that were very important: “You must completely obey the Lord your God … carefully follow His commands … The Lord will make you His holy people, as He promised. But you must
obey His commands and do what He
wants you to do…”
Failure to do so resulted in curses: “The Lord will send you … confusions … You will have … itches
that can’t be cured …and a confused
mind … You had plenty of everything, but you did not serve the Lord your
God with joy and a pure heart … You
must respect the glorious and wonderful
name of the Lord your God … If you don’t obey completely … the Lord will make
Your mind worried … and your soul sad … You will not be sure that
you will live.”
We as the church today are God’s chosen people. The greater the privilege, the greater the
responsibility. If we do fail to glorify
Him and obey His Word, we have to
expect His chastening.
Father, please help me to completely obey You and to
completely follow Your commands. I know that
I am a sinner and that I will fail,
but I know I must try. Please don’t let innocent people be hurt by
my sins. Lead me to repentance. Help me to turn my face to you and not my back. It truly does not pay to rebel against You
and try to have my own way. Drive that
home, Father!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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