God's covenant with man is renewed. Again, the blessings of obedience are outlined along with the curses of disobedience. And, again, the possibility of repentance and restoration is highlighted. Is anyone paying attention?
When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon yo an you take them to heart wherever the Lord your God disperses you among the nations, and when yo and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I commanded you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where He scattered you. [Deut. 30:1-3]
As they prepare to enter into the Promised Land, God predicts their dispersal among other nations. God gives warning after warning but with every word, He knows. God knows what they and what we will do. It is impossible to read these warnings and not believe God is behind even the tragedy that befalls us (and, of course, so are we because we chose to wander from Him).
The Lord will send on you curses.... [Deut. 28:20] The Lord will cause you to be defeated.... [Deut. 28:25] The Lord will afflict you.... [Deut. 28:35] The Lord will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your fathers.... [Deut. 28:36] The Lord will bring a nation against you.... [Deut. 28:49]
Even if we see and witness God's miracles, it's not enough. God must also give us the understanding. We are so entirely dependent on God and His grace. We can't boast it is our own understanding. Reading the Bible doesn't give us understanding and knowledge. If anything, it indicates our heart and so God blesses with understanding and knowledge the condition of our hearts. That's my understanding.
Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. with your own eyes you saw those great trials, those miraculous signs and great wonders. But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear. During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God. [Deut. 29:2-6]
Everything that happens, good and bad, is ultimately so that we may know Him. that is an extremely hard and difficult teaching. we see God in the good and Satan in the evil that befalls us. Yet, in truth, both good and bad is there for our learning and so that we might know Him. We want there only to be good and light and happiness. But we must have the bad to appreciate the good. And always, it seems, that hardship is the very best teacher. Take confidence in the fact everything that happens to us good and bad is so we might know Him. It's not enough to see His miracles. We only truly acknowledge Him when we are desperately in need of being saved.
So specific are the curses -- it's almost as if the people's story is already written. Did they suspect that the curses would befall them? Twice it's recorded here that they will eat their own children. The curses are so horrible. Could they have walked away from this covenant to avoid the curses? "Say...ah...Thanks but no thanks, God"? "I know it's a good deal being your people but there's a good shot we will be earning more curses than blessings...." Was there any apprehension as they entered again into covenant with the universe's supreme being?
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.... [Deut. 30:19]
Is it that we cannot help but follow God and enter into His covenant. Because we know in our hearts that He is life. And we cling and fight and struggle for life. We choose life.
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