Old Testament Manual, Chapter 20 Points to Ponder Question

Old Testament Manual, Chapter 20 Points to Ponder Question

Take a moment now to thumb through the book of Deuteronomy. What scriptures did you mark? What concepts impressed you as Moses lovingly counseled Israel for the last time? Write, in no more than a page or two, your own reaction to Moses’ counsel. What value does it have for you? How would your life be different if you took his counsel fully to heart?

Moses counsel to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy is powerful. He reviews the blessings and the curses the Lord promises to the people of Israel. He promises the people that if they keep the commandments of the Lord they will receive the blessings of inheritance in the promised land, safety and protection from their enemies, and having enough from the land. However, if they failed to keep the commandments and accepted idolatry they would be cursed and face the punishment of God. This punishment included bondage, famines, and eventually being cast out of the promised land and becoming a byword, or term of hate and rejection. The Lord even went on to say that at some point that is exactly what will happen.

I am reminded of the power of a patriarchal blessing. Moses, in a sense, gave Israel a patriarchal blessing. He told them of what blessings and curses were waiting for them. He gave them counsel and direction on how to follow the Lord. In the end, he gave them a prophecy of what would happen to Israel because of their eventually apostasy.

How does this apply to me?

I look to my patriarchal blessing. It counsels me on what I should do to enter the promise land and is filled with blessings and warnings. Most importantly it tells me directly to remain obedient to God because all blessing comes from God. These blessings, like those explained to Israel, are conditional upon my obedience. If I do not follow God and his commandments I forfeit any promises. As well, if I place other God’s before God I will receive the curses that come with such apostasy. I will become subject to the bondage of sin, endure famines of the spirit, and eventually lose the promise land, eternal life and exaltation. At some point I will become a byword to those who see what I could have been and what I have become.