Blessings for obedience and warnings against disobedience
We have been following the Israelites through their wanderings in the wilderness for quite some time. Now, Moses was not allowed to enter the land of Canaan, and he convened all Israel and gave the ten commandments and the statutes and ordinances of the LORD to them (cf. Deut. 5; 6:1). We will not be able to elaborate on everything, but told the Israelites that the LORD required everyone to follow them. He said, “This entire commandment that I command you today you must diligently observe” (Deut. 8:1). If not, they will perish (Deut. 8:20).
Because of this, Moses told them, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse” (Deut. 11:26). He continued, “The blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn from the way that I am commanding you today, to follow other gods that you have not known” (Deut. 11:27-28).
Some of the blessings for obedience: to be made a great nation, to be blessed in their homes, to bless their offspring, their land, their belongings and properties, to be blessed when they go in and out, to be protected from their enemies, blessings in rain, and to be the head and never the tail.
Some of the warnings against disobedience: To be cursed in their land, to be cursed when they go in or out, to be cursed in everything they do, to be plagued with diseases and illnesses, to be cursed with innumerable enemies, to have fear, and to be the tail, and never the head, among many others.
We have also been under lockdown for a major part of the year now. Now, some of us have returned to our churches and began worship services (though with great restrictions). All through the period of the lockdown, we have been writing messages of peace, of endurance, hope, salvation, of the need to trust in the LORD and others. We have come to the 200th message today. We are not speaking like Moses nor do we pretend to be. But, since they have been the words of God, let them also serve as warnings and hope for our Christian lives today.
Not because we have run out of steam or inspiration or things to write, but we may not be able to post new sermons everyday from now on, as we have begun to open up. Even then, let us also remember the word of the LORD and draw inspiration from them as we battle the hardships of everyday life and of sin.
Remembering all those that we have read and heard, let us chose God and return to our Bible with unending prayers, knowing that we also have before us a blessing and a curse depending on our actions and choices today.
