2 + 2 + 4 by Pastor Dave

 “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands that I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”
Deuteronomy 28: 1-2
 
Deuteronomy 28-29 (Psalm 62)
 
Observe

• Obedience  =  Blessings; Moses details the incredible blessings God wants to pour out for His people. These include abundant provision, protection and a position above other nations. They must not turn aside to other gods, otherwise:
• Disobedience = Curses; Moses specifies almost the exact opposite, as consequences for disobedience, but in far more disturbing detail. The provision will cease, protection goes and their position is lost with regards other nations. Pestilence and persecution follow and horrific situations will arise where, for example, they will eat their own children because of siege (28: 53-57). Their peace will be exchanged for an anxious and disturbed state of mind and heart (28: 65)
• Covenant = Renewal; the Covenant God made with His people at Horeb is renewed in Moab. Essentially God is wanting to fulfil His promise to be their God. The people are standing there for this purpose, to enter that covenant, which will be for their children too, and bound with an oath. Blessings and curses are again described as the consequences for obedience or disobedience respectively

 
Interpret
     The truth in these chapters seems as obvious as 2+2=4; obey God and receive blessing, disobey and face the consequences. The people have seen so much in miraculous provision and activity from God that we are almost astounded at their inability to believe, trust and obey. Yet we read that their minds could not understand, eyes not see, nor ears hear (29: 2-6). This partially confirms the truth that seeing does not always result in believing. Why is that the case? Once again the answer is our hearts. Those renewing the covenant are warned against thinking, ‘I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,’ (29:19). Despite enormous amounts of proof that God is real and loves His people, wanting to bless abundantly, the people continually choose their own way and to believe in man-made gods. The results are anxious minds, weary eyes and hearts full of longing and despair (28: 65).
     God was theirs, and is our, Creator; He loves us and knows what is best for us. He desires to bless us abundantly and live in a meaningful relationship with us where we enjoy and glorify Him. God reveals what we need to know for this to occur; what He reveals belongs to us. He keeps back that which we do not need to know; this belongs to Him as God. This revelation is for us and future generations so that we may follow Him and receive what He promises (29: 29).
            
Application
     In essence the lesson for us to apply in our lives is the need to simply believe, trust and obey. Not to think we know better and go our own way, not to, in effect, worship man-made gods (the things we put before Him), nor to be lured by what the world offers. Instead we are encouraged to enter the ‘new covenant,’ not with an oath, but with our baptismal vows and receive the abundant life God gives (John 10: 10). In this new life our minds find peace, our eyes have light and the longing of our hearts are satisfied with His hope and love.
 
The Question of Application
     Last Sunday were encouraged to choose life (Deuteronomy 30: 19). Considering the lessons of today what do you choose?  
 
Prayer
Holy God, we praise you for calling us to be a servant people and for gathering us into the body of Christ. We thank you for choosing to add to our number brothers and sisters in faith in the new covenant. Together may we live in your Spirit and so love one another that we may have the mind of Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom we give honor and glory forever. Amen.    
 
Praise
You Say (I believe) Lauren Daigle
Trust and obey by Don Moen