Rev. Don Campbell
Deuteronomy 24-27
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 19, 2019
“BLESSINGS AND CURSES”
Moses charged the people that when they crossed over the Jordon into the promised land, they were to set six tribes on Mount Gerizim to bless the people and six on Mount Ebal for the curse (Deuteronomy 27:9-14). The Levites would station themselves in the valley between the two and then utter the blessings and curses in a loud voice. Twelve curses were uttered to which the people all answered, “Amen” (Deuteronomy 27:15-26). The final curse was “Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of the law by doing them.” And all the people said, “Amen” (Deuteronomy 26).
Paul gives inspired commentary: “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ But the law is not of faith, rather ‘The one who does them shall live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’ [Deuteronomy 21:23]— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (Galations 3:10-14).
They said, “We will do it,” they failed, and were cursed. Christ said, “I will do it,” and he did (Hebrews 4:15). The blessing of his having done the will of God perfectly becomes our blessing when we embrace the cross of Christ in faith: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:3-10).
CONNECTIONS – Mark 16:15-16, Luke 12:48, Hebrews 6:7-8
1. The gospel also sets before those who hear it a blessing and a curse. What is it? (Mark 16:15-16).
2. Much is said on the internet about turning curses into blessings, but little if anything about turning blessings into curses. Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48). Is it correct to say that unused or improperly used blessings become curses? Also see Hebrews 6:7-8.
