The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. Deuteronomy 28:9
Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings and curses for Israel, God’s people. Obedience to God would result in blessings, while disobedience would lead to curses. If the Israelites carefully observed God’s commandments, blessings would overtake them in all aspects of their lives: work, family, prosperity, honor, and success. Conversely, disobedience would bring curses, including personal and material failure, humiliation before enemies, and ultimately even exile.
We learn from the subsequent books of the Old Testament how Israel disobeyed God and brought down curses upon themselves. Their disobedience eventually leads them to humiliating captivity at the hands of their enemies. However, the covenant-keeping God Almighty preserved a remnant of the Israelites to rise from the ashes.
Our Lord and Saviour beat every possible curse on the cross when He sacrificed Himself for us. The promises of God still remain valid to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). When we believe in Jesus Christ, walk in His ways, and follow His commandments, God establishes us as His holy people on earth. As we navigate life and confront trials and tribulations, the peace that transcends all understanding will be our portion. The joy of the Lord will be our strength to face each day. Above all else, eternal life is our assured blessing or inheritance or promised land.
The choice is ours; we can be blessed through obedience or cursed through disobedience. May the Holy Spirit guide us to make the right choices in life.
