In chapter 11 of Deuteronomy we find Moses reminding the adults (who were children when they left Egypt and had experienced their parents’ rebellion and the consequences of the 40 years in the desert) to “love the Lord your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments and His commandments always.” (see v 1 and again in v 13)
In verse 14 Moses continues to tell them the blessings (which are also consequences) of the people who “earnestly obey My commandments” (also see v 13)
In verses 16-17, we see the consequences of not obeying.
Verses 18-19 “you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking to them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
And today? Are these commands only for that time? Or should we not heed these words and obey with a willing heart?
“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known. (Deut 11: 26-28)
Is this where some Christians come up with people who are suffering have sin in their lives or are the consequences thereof? But we must go to the New Testament teachings and understand what Jesus taught concerning pain and suffering.
Just read James 1 to grasp why God allows difficult times in our lives. As much as those times cause great suffering, it is allowed for us to draw upon the strength of Christ Jesus as we persevere towards completeness in Him alone.
The Old and New Testament go hand in hand and must be read together to understand the wisdom our Heavenly Father is showing us and we grow towards that day when we will be complete in Him before the throne.
A nation without moral law becomes a nation of fools who reject God and His word. For how can we know what morality is unless we have a set standard? And praise be to God, He has given us such a standard, the Holy Bible. But unless we read it, it is useless and we do become fools. As you read Proverbs, you will see that being a fool is a huge disgrace and a slap in the face.
Deuteronomy 8:8 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments…” We are there! We have forgotten and are suffering the consequences. When will we wake up, repent and turn from our wickedness? Surrender is so difficult for many but for those who surrender their lives to Jesus, eternity is something to look forward to.