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The Lord told Israel that there were countless blessings for them if they would “hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments” (Deuteronomy 28:1). Not only were the blessings available, they would not have to pursue them; the blessings would “come on thee, and overtake thee.” In other words, the blessings would chase them instead of the commandment-keepers having to chase the blessings.
A look at the blessings should be sufficient motivation for anyone to “do all His commandments,” since no one else could make such outstanding blessed promises. Can you imagine anyone not wanting to be so blessed? (Based on Deuteronomy 28)
~Blessed in the city~
Whatever business they did in the city would be blessed and profitable. If they lived there, their home would be blessed. If they traveled to the city, their sojourn would bring blessings.
~Blessed in the country~
Their country home would be prosperous. If their work required them to be in the country, whatever they did would prosper. If they traveled through the country, their trip would be safe and blessed.
~Blessed in the fruit of their body~
Their children would be obedient and servants of God.
~Blessed in the produce of their ground~
Everything they planted would produce abundantly and profitably.
~Blessed in the increase of their cattle and their flocks~
The birth of calves and lambs would increase their “bank account and retirement fund.”
~Blessed in their basket~
When they reaped their harvest, their collection baskets would overflow.
~Blessed in their kneading bowl~
The food supply would be endless. They would always have more than enough.
~Blessed coming in and going out~
There would never be a place or time that God’s blessings would not be covering them.
~Blessed by defeating their enemies~
Those who planned to harm them would meet with defeat. Their enemies would come after them one way, but they would flee “seven ways.”
~Blessed in their storehouses~
Their future would be secure. The reason they would need a storehouse would be that they had more than they needed for the present. It was for the future use.
~Blessed in all they did~
Everything their hand found to do would be blessed and prosperous.
~Blessed in the land~
This was a “promised land,” and it carried God’s approval and their homes would be safe and blessed.
~They would be established~
Their lives, families and economy would be stable and secure, guaranteed by God.
~They would be established as holy to God~
This was their whole purpose! They were to worship God and represent Him to others.
~They would be honored~
As God’s beloved children and His faithful representatives, they would influence the earth with God's goodness and would be honored because of it.
People would fear to harm God’s own family.
They would have plenty, increase in goods and all they possessed.
Their families would be blessed and increased.
They would have rain when needed which would bring a bountiful harvest.
In addition to all those blessings, they would have such an abundance that they could lend to other people, but they would never need to borrow. They would “be the head and not the tail; above only and not beneath.” All God asked of them to be eligible for the promised blessings was that they honor and serve only Him, faithfully.
God laid the groundwork for the blessings to flow unendingly to His chosen people. He gave Moses explicit instructions for the people in order to be blessed; they are called “The Ten Commandments.” They were to be “observed and obeyed” unalterably.
When we look at the Commandments, it may seem a tall order to always obey each and every one. And it is! Jesus even expanded them. For example: He said to hate was equal to murder; to look at a woman with lust was equal to adultery, etc. In other words, it wasn’t just actions that God was looking for, it was the very heart of man that He claimed for His own and expected right thinking, actions and attitudes. If they had been able to keep the Commandments perfectly, the innocent animals that were sacrificed for the Israel’s sin would not have been necessary. If we could live perfect lives, Jesus would not have had to die on the cross to pay for our sins so we could be declared innocent.
How, then, could Israel obtain the promised blessings? How can we? Jesus has the answer:
“…a lawyer asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, ‘Master, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself’ ” (Matthew 22:36-39).
Actually, Jesus only gave us two commandments to follow. One: Love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind; and Two: Love our neighbor as our self.
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:49).
"...this shall be the [new]covenant...I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts..." (Jeremiah 31:31).
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
While Jesus enhanced the Ten Commandments which were the guide for Israel, He also simplified them for us. We don’t even have to know the Ten Commandments to keep them, we only have to remember what Jesus said would fulfill them. Two simple statements.
--Love the Lord (with your whole being)
--Love your neighbor (as yourself)
In essence, when we love the Lord with our heart, soul and mind, we will live to please Him; and we can love ourselves because we have been redeemed and are without guilt. As the Redeemed Ones, we are enabled to love our neighbor as our selves. If we love our neighbor, we will have a lifestyle that will not lie, steal, covet, kill, etc., thus fulfilling the Ten Commandments—the Law of Love. With the Law in our hearts, keeping it will change from a "have-to" to a want-to."
Jesus summarized the Law into one word—Love!
And it all is possible "Because"--because He loved us first!
Pass it on. Love expands itself as it goes on its way. Everyone it touches will be blessed. |
