When you sign a contract, do you read the fine print? The covenant promises, or fine print, for God’s people comes to us in the longest chapter of Deuteronomy. We read answers for two questions: what happens when God’s people listen and obey and what happens when God’s people do not listen and obey.
Not only does God offer benefits, but He explains those benefits as a direct result of communion with Him (Deut. 28:1–2). By union with Holy God, His church demonstrates experiences general blessings over land, family, provision, and protection. The result is not because of earned favor, but because of intimacy with the one whose very presence blesses (Deut. 28:3ff). Though the promise of the covenant speaks to supernatural, abundant grace, yet visual and temporal evidence follows as sign or confirmation of God’s communion (Deut. 28:10). The physical expressions demonstrate the perseverance of God and the sanctifying (making holy) work of God in, with, and through His people (Deut. 28:14). Following God results in exponential fruitfulness and experience of blessing even in rough circumstances. This obedience is markedly true still today for His church.
But what if we choose not to follow God’s Word? The natural demonstration of disfellowship, separation from God’s blessings—curses—are revealed. Pursuit of the world results in being given over to the ravenous enemies of the world (Deut. 28:15ff). God explains, when His people forsake sanctifying obedience, when they grow lazy, shallow, self-gratifying, then their governments will grow corrupted, and surpluses will be spoiled (Deut. 28:36). The community visibly demonstrates God’s curse for the nations and for human histories (Deut. 28:46).
The fine print makes a good case for obedience! Aren’t God’s people to desire the hope of joy, gladness, abundance? The offer is extended in the free grace of a Deliverer who rules over the wicked, and whose rule extends within the community as much as watching world (Deut. 28:47). God asserts His promise of joyful abundance in the present life by laying claim to His people—He has made Himself known as the LORD THY GOD (Deut. 28:58).
We are to gather assurance from this passage, not in the fleeting fancies of this world, but in the longsuffering sanctification Christ offers those who serve Him (Deut. 28:66). We need no large stacks of papers to blindly sign all afternoon. We have the Lord who has written our names on His heart. The promises and abundance in this life are true demonstrations of His handiwork, and of our stewardship in magnifying His name. But the real hope is in another country—our heavenly home. How can you grow today in acknowledging and praising God for His gifts today? How will you turn back to Him as “Thy God” today and know His preservation?
Pastor Chris
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