In the remaining posts on Deuteronomy we will see that these last few chapters of the “Book of the Law” are important in the rest of the Bible. When you read the Prophets (Isaiah to Malachi) it is clear that those men knew this chapter (and the similar Lev. 26). The prophets were able to understand the times in which they lived because they could see that what the nation was experiencing was just what God said would happen.
Take for example Zeph. 1:13 where the prophet
refers to what was predicted in Dt. 28:39. Or Lam. 1:5 where Jeremiah seems to
have Dt. 28:41 in mind. These prophets
could see that what happened fit God’s promised judgment on Israel. The connection between Dt. 28:53-57 and Jer.
19:9 is hard to miss. God was able to
communicate in various ways with the prophets so that they proclaimed His
word. One significant way they knew God’s
will was from their study of Deuteronomy.
Here are a few notes on Deuteronomy 28.
·
28:3: City and country living would both be
blessed; and both would be cursed equally (v16). In our day there’s a thought that rural
people are less sinful than urban people.
In the end, God’s treatment is the same: blessing on those who obey and
judgment on those who disobey.
·
28:12: The Lord’s “good treasure/storehouse” is
in the heavens. That’s interesting. As Christians, all our spiritual blessings
are in “the heavenlies” in Christ (Eph. 1:3-4).
·
28:15: In 28:15-68, the curses or judgments that
are pronounced, there are multiple references to sickness (v22,27-28,35,59-61). Perhaps the pandemic we are experiencing, and
the continued dying of loved ones, gives us an idea of what Israel would face
for disobedience.
·
28:20: Israel’s plans would be frustrated. Things that should go as planned will not go
as planned when God is against Israel. In
28:20-46 we can see that there is no end of the ways God can make life
miserable for disobedient Israel. People
will say, “it couldn’t get worse;” and then, it get’s worse.
·
28:30-33: Normal expectations will be
unfulfilled (see also v38-41).
·
28:47: Here is a key verse in all of this, as to
why Israel will experience God’s punishment.
It’s not just “disobedience.” And
it’s not simply that they did not “serve the LORD.” They did not serve the LORD with joy and
gladness for His abundance.
·
28:52: “At all your gates” is an interesting
phrase when you think about modern Jerusalem.
The modern city doesn’t have gates as in the days of a walled city.
Nevertheless, today tunnels are the literal “gates” into Jerusalem. Highways 1 (from Tel Aviv and from Jericho)
and 60 (from Bethlehem) involve tunnels when entering the city.
All God’s promises are true, His promises of
blessing AND His promises of judgment.
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