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NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passages: Deuteronomy 28:1-6, 15-19
Discussion Questions:
— What wise “messages” did your parents repeat to you over and over again? What impact did hearing those words have on you?
— How does our obedience to God reflect our faithfulness to Him?
— What does this passage reveal about God’s character?
Food for thought:
We’ve all seen it. The parent is down on one knee, talking to her child as he is about to head out for the first day of a new school year. “Now, you have your backpack? Good. Remember to do what the teacher tells you. No acting up. Don’t forget to bring home any papers I need to sign. Don’t lose your lunch money. And have fun!” At this point, the parent isn’t telling the child anything new, but is reinforcing and emphasizing what the child has heard countless times.
The relationship between God and Israel was a covenant relationship. Most covenants and treaties in the ancient Near East began with a list of curses for those who violated the agreement. This chapter does the opposite. It begins on a positive note, listing rewards for faithfulness (vv. 1-14).
The Israelites’ faithfulness to God’s commands would be recognized and rewarded. The promise was that God’s blessings would actively pursue His people. However, God’s blessings would take hold only as they obeyed Him. God would exalt the Israelites above all other nations. They would be blessed, along with their children. In addition, their land and crops would be prosperous. The promise was simple: “All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 28:2).
Fertility in flocks, fields and families was a vital contributor to the long-term survival of the Israelites. The text uses the same Hebrew word three times to refer to fertility. The literal translation is “fruit” or “fruitfulness.” Baal and Astarte, the primary deities of the Canaanites, were known as fertility gods. But the God of Israel alone was the One who could cause families, cattle and harvests to be fruitful. For His people, every area of their lives would be blessed. The promise that God would bless the “basket” and the “kneading bowl” (v. 5) meant that He would meet the families’ most basic needs. In addition, He would be with them wherever they went and whatever they did.
Just as faithfulness to God’s commands was rewarded, failure to follow God’s commands would lead to consequences. If they disobeyed God, the Israelites would be cursed wherever they journeyed, along with their children. Verse 15 begins to outline the curses Israel would experience if they disobeyed God’s commands. The list of disasters and miseries (vv. 15-68) is longer than the list of blessings for obedience (vv. 1-14).
“In the city” and “in the country” (v. 16) meant people would be cursed wherever they were. Used together, the terms essentially meant “everywhere.” Their land and crops would not be fruitful. Poverty and scarcity would replace prosperity and fertility. The picture in the curses is of a life of misery. This, though, is not God’s desire. The purpose of the curses was to draw God’s people back to Himself.
Moses’ challenge to the Israelites was significant. If they chose faithfulness to God, they would enjoy the blessings that come from following His commands. Disregarding God’s commands would lead to humiliation. Today, we face a similar choice. Will we choose to faithfully follow God and His Word? Or will we turn away from God and His Word, choosing our own path instead? May we choose to follow Him daily, enjoying the blessings of a right relationship with Him!
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible [2].
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by Lifeway can be found at Lifeway.com/SundaySchool [3].
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