https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Deuteronomy+28
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 20 May 2025:
Deuteronomy 28:1 – “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God… all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
Deuteronomy 28 is one of the most sobering and soul-shaking chapters in the entire Bible. It sets before us the stark reality of blessing for obedience and curse for disobedience—not just spiritually, but nationally, militarily, economically, socially, mentally, and physically. It is as though God were shouting to His people: “Your obedience or rebellion will not be hidden. It will be seen. It will have consequences. And the world will know that I am the LORD.”
The first 14 verses shine with radiant promise: God’s people blessed in the city and field, in family and flocks, in work and warfare. They are to be “set high above all the nations” (v.1), recognized by others as belonging to the one true God (v.10). But from verse 15 onward, the tone shifts—violently. What follows is a brutal, lengthy, and explicit description of the devastation that comes when a people reject the God who saved them.
Deuteronomy 28 describes in horrific detail the physical manifestation of God’s wrath inflicted on a nation that rejected Him as God. One cannot help but see the ominous warning for our country today. However, if from these warnings we start searching for political solutions for our nation’s ailments, we have seriously missed the point. Individual repentance and collective revival is the only hope for our nation. Our mission is the Great Commission – making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey. If the church fails at its mission, no politician or policy, no financial system or military can save us.
Deuteronomy 28:7, 25 – “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 cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them. And you shall be a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.”
As the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land, God set before them a choice: Heed His voice, obey His commandments, and experience continued victory. Or turn from God, disobey His word, and experience repeated and resounding defeat. It was a simple choice. The choice they made would be evident by the results on the battlefield.
The assurance of victory did not mean that the Israelites would not have to strap on their armor and go to battle. It did not assure them of effortless victory. At times their enemies fought fiercely, and the battles raged back and forth. Nevertheless, as the Israelites walked closely with God, they knew that their efforts would always result in victory.
“God gives us the same choice He gave the Israelites. If we walk with Him, obedient to His word, He will stand with us and ensure victory over our challenges. We must face the battle, but God promises us victory if we remain in His will. However, if we choose to disassociate from God, we surely will be overtaken by difficulties. As with the Israelites, our decision will be evident by the outcome. If you are continually being defeated by everything you face, your heart has departed from God. If you have been experiencing defeat in the challenges you face, examine your heart. When you are buffeted by the crises of life, your heart may have shifted away from God. Choose to listen to God. Then obey what He tells you, no matter what you face, and you will experience victory.” (Henry T. Blackaby)
Deuteronomy 28:9-10 – “The LORD will establish you as a people holy to himself… if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. And all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you.”
Obedience is not only for personal blessing—it is a public testimony. A holy life is a beacon of light in a dark world. Your reverence for the Lord should be visible in your relationships, your reactions, your words, and your work ethic. When people see God’s blessing on your life and the fruit of obedience, they take notice—not to glorify you, but to glorify your God.
- Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
- 1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable… so that they may see your good deeds and glorify God…”
- Titus 2:7-8 – “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works… so that an opponent may be put to shame…”
Deuteronomy 28:15-68 – “But if you will not obey… then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you…”
This is no empty threat. The curses outlined are graphic, unrelenting, and terrifying. Starvation, disease, siege, insanity, slavery, defeat, exile, and despair—these are not poetic metaphors. They were fulfilled historically in Israel’s exile, and they serve as a prophetic warning to every generation.
God will be glorified by your life in a positive way, through your obedience, or in a negative way, through your disobedience. Either way, the truth of His holiness and righteousness will be revealed to the world. Choose obedience and its subsequent blessings.
- Romans 2:5-9 – “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath… for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”
- Galatians 6:7-8 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
- 2 Thessalonians 1:8 – “…in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel…”
Takeaways and Lessons from Deuteronomy 28:
- Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings curse. This is a universal principle, spiritually and often materially.
- God is not indifferent to sin. He is holy and just, and He deals with rebellion decisively—not to destroy but to discipline and restore.
- National blessing is tied to national repentance. No law, court, president, or economic plan can fix what only a spiritual revival can cure.
- God’s people are marked by visible holiness. If we are truly His, the world should know it—not just by our words, but by our lives.
- God disciplines those He loves. Even His judgments serve a redemptive purpose—to bring people back to Himself.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 20 May 2025: Spiritual Audit: Today, take inventory. Are you walking in the blessings of obedience or feeling the weight of disobedience? Look at the “battlefield” of your life: relationships, peace, finances, fruitfulness, joy, and integrity. What is the evidence? Ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24), and confess any area of compromise. Choose full, joyful obedience—not for blessing’s sake, but because He is worthy.
Then, intercede for your nation. Do not merely pray for political change. Pray for a wave of repentance. Pray for revival in the Church. And go make disciples. It is our only hope.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 