Scripture
16 “You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. 17 And you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them. 18 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, 19 one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike. 20 The Lord will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the Lord and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book will settle upon him, and the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven. 21 And the Lord will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for calamity, in accordance with all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law. Deuteronomy 29:16-21 ESV
Observation
Today’s reading picks up with chapter 29. Having outlined the sacred ceremony of the thanksgiving basket, Moses instructs the people (once they cross the Jordan) to construct an altar on Mount Ebal and then conduct an antiphonal ceremony between the tribes as follows:
- The tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the nation for obedience to God’s commands (27:12).
- The tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali shall stand on Mount Ebal to proxy the curses for disobedience to Yahweh’s laws (27:13).
- The Levites will then shout curses to all of Israel for various violations of God’s laws (27:14-26).
Chapter 28 first presents the blessings for obedience that give rise to prominence over the other nations, prosperity, and flourishing with an abundance of crops and livestock (28:1-14). The chapter concludes with a lengthy expansion of curses, forwarning devastation and exile (28:15-68).
Having established the consequences, chapter 29 recounts the words of the Mosaic covenant renewed in Moab before entering the Promised Land. Emphasizing the stipulations apply to all God’s people and the god-fearing sojourners among them, Moses commences the warning with the word “beware” (29:18a). Essentially, it is a call to be wholeheartedly devoted to God by being on guard against apostasy (worshiping other gods), regardless of gender or number.
Continuing with the second “beware” (29:18b), Moses likens the dissident to “a root bearing poison and bitter fruit.” Thus, Moses draws on this imagery to warn his people against the arrogant person who does not heed the sanctions (curses) and smugly congratulates himself for appropriating God’s blessings without accountability. But in the end, as theologian Daniel Block contends, he will be swept away from the covenant’s safeguard with both its “moist” (blessings) and “dry” (curses) elements (The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, p. 682).
Etymological Notes
The Hebrew word for turning away one’s “heart” is lēb, a term that integrates all aspects of our personality: will, emotion, and passion. The English translation of “bitter fruit” means “wormwood” in Hebrew. Wormwood oil contains the chemical thujone, which is poisonous and excites the central nervous system, causing seizures and other adverse effects.
Takeaway
As mentioned in prior devotions, Israel’s succession of judges and kings, most of whom “did what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25), eventually came to ruin. Their cautionary stories demonstrate our human propensity to think we can escape the consequences of disobedience. Not only did these men in power flout their godless behavior, but they surrounded themselves with those who would tell them what they wanted to hear (sycophant advisers and priests). While not all suffered immediate repercussions, in the end, each faced the curse of eternal separation from God and all that is pure, right, and holy.
Our Takeaway
This arrogant posture of thinking and acting according to what we deem is right and believing the consequences do not apply to us is just as prevalent today. In owning up to my sins and counseling others crushed by the weight of their transgressions, I have learned that no one gets a pass. And that’s a good thing. Consequences (the “curses”) steer us back on the right course. And we gain positive reinforcement (to borrow a child-rearing term) when we come under the “blessings” of the covenant through obedience to God’s will.
Our Part
We must exercise humility that fosters a teachable spirit that leads to repentance, obedience, and blessings. To do so, we must submit to the Holy Spirit, who will speak to our minds, expose our lies and blindspots, and convict us of our sins. How? Through reading and reflecting on Scripture, sermons and teachings, our prayer times, or a timely word from others. Sometimes, he even speaks through our enemies and those we dislike—a hard pill to swallow. But suppose we exercise humility to receive and own the convicting word regardless of the source. In that case, even if the fallout lingers, we can still experience the blessings of our Lord’s supernatural peace and strength here and now and hope for a future in eternity where there are no more curses but only the blessings of worship in the presence of our Triune God.
Prayer
Father God, we thank you for your Son who took on the curse so we might reap the blessing. Still, we are prone to take for granted this unfathomable sacrificial exchange. So, please help us exercise humility to submit to accountability via your Holy Spirit (regardless of his source) so that we might repent, obey without delay, and come under your blessings. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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