Deu 28:1-8 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.
Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.
Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.
Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
“The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
The LORD will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And he will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
The idea behind the choice is that God was determined to reveal Himself to the world through Israel. He would do this either by making them so blessed that the world would know only God could have blessed them so; or by making them so cursed that only God could have cursed them and cause them to still survive. The choice was up to Israel. Therefore, if Israel would obey the LORD, He would set them high above all nations of the earth, and the blessings would be so powerful that they would come upon you and overtake you. They wouldn’t be able to escape the blessings. Perhaps the best blessing had to do with Israel’s own relationship with God. God would separate an obedient Israel unto Himself, speaking of a special relationship. If not for this, all the material blessings described previously would be empty. (Guzik)
This chapter is a very large exposition of two words, the blessing and the curse. They are real things and have real effects. The blessings are here put before the curses. God is slow to anger, but swift to show mercy. It is his delight to bless. It is better that we should be drawn to what is good by a child-like hope of God’s favour, than that we be frightened to it by a slavish fear of his wrath. The blessing is promised, upon condition that they diligently hearken to the voice of God. Let them keep up religion, the form and power of it, in their families and nation, then the providence of God would prosper all their outward concerns. (Henry)
And all these blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee,…. After mentioned, which should come upon them from God from heaven, by the direction of his providence, and that freely and plentifully, and beyond their expectations. (Gill)
How many blessings are forfeited due to our commitment and desire to study God’s Word and, thereby, grow and mature in our knowledge and understanding of it and things of God? Would we become more obedient due to this knowledge and understanding? Would we honor and glorify Jesus Christ in this obedience?
I get it, the busyness of life attracts us. It is a tangible busyness and occupies our time. It may even give us purpose and satisfaction. However, I think more than likely it gives way to NEGLECT of God’s Word. The Study of it. The Desire for it. The Application of it. The Fulfilling Hope found in it. The Peace of mind found in it. The Joy found in it. The Refuge found in it. The Promises proclaimed in it. We lay our heads on our pillows at night falsely satisfied with what the world has deemed important and fully occupied our day.
Neglect of God’s Word is no excuse. Neglect of God’s Word is an intentional choice to which we give excuses and rationalize in our minds. Growth and maturing (sanctification) does not happen apart from God’s Word. I am amazed at the maturity (knowledge of God’s Word) by Christians who have been born again for 10, 20, 30, 40 plus years. God’s Word is more readily available at every person’s fingertips. Commentaries, sermons, and word searches are all available to grow and mature us. Neglect of His Word is an intentional choice.
Some things that bother me in my personal growth. Am I growing in understanding and knowledge of God’s Word and its application in my life? Can people see a tangible difference as the Holy Spirit leads and I obey? Through the Holy Spirit can I discern truth or the lack of it or doctrine error? Do I see growth? Am I convicted of sin? Do I repent? Am I growing in trust and reliance on God? Do I seek and desire to know Him more and more? Do I want to hear and listen to the leading Holy Spirit? Do I live each day with an earnest desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all my thoughts, words, and actions? Why am I so slow in my understanding? Why can’t I connect concepts and precepts of Old and New Testament scripture? Why are there days of complete trust and reliance, and other days of being like a flopping fish out of water? Why are there days when I am so aware of God’s presence and other days not? Why do I fall back into sinful thinking? Can I spot satan’s attacks and lies?
There is so much more to know about God, His Word, the love of Jesus, the leading of the Holy Spirit, God’s grace, mercy, and love, His promises, creation, heaven, hell, judgment, wrath, anger, the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the examples of faith, the examples of falling away, the difference between worldly and heavenly, obedience, reliance, trust, faith, hope, prayer, etc……..
There is no excuse for neglect.
