Brian Maloy

FIRST THING FIRST — go read Deuteronomy 28 –> Deut. 28

Well this week we quick pop all the way to Deuteronomy 28, which of course, is an important chapter of Scripture (as all the inspired Word is indeed). 

We get to see a big contrast, between the promise of blessing, and the loathsome consequence of curse. It’s easy to see this from a 21st century point of view, but of course, we need to consider a bit deeper, and understand our context, along with the place we are in the narrative arc of Scripture.

Now I run the risk of sounding a bit repetitive in a way — but think about how often these reminders have been given to the Hebrews! Think about how much they’ve been reminded of God’s faithfulness, and their call to live in covenant with Him. It’s been over and over and over — really since they were in Egypt. Yet even in Chapter 28, the 2nd word (or 4th depending on Bible Translation), literally is IF. This whole chapter hinges on IF. Such a small word, with such big implications. Yet that today is what we really need to lean into and remember — IF we are faithful. 

I am leaving that thought hanging for now, because in the pondering and seeking of the Spirit to prepare for this lesson, that thought is curious to me. I know I cannot do these things perfectly, but the Lord would not ask the Hebrews to be faithful knowing they will struggle — without more context. 

I will leave this thought with you — why did the Hebrews need/get SO many reminders, exhortations, encouragements, etc.? Think about the people who have spoken into your life — think about the ones who were persistent, steadfast, would lovingly remind you of the truth.

Blessings

We are all so blessed. At least we are so blessed when we have eyes to see how we’ve been blessed. And when we have a proper theology and understanding of what it means to be Biblically blessed. Not, #Blessed, when the line is short at Starbucks… 

It’s pretty normal that most covenants or agreements in the ancient Near East begin with a list of consequences, curses, and punishments for someone who violates an agreement. So, it’s noteworthy that this chapter does not. It begins with the promise of blessing in this covenant — love it.

We have to back out a bit and consider WHY. Why is this the choice God made? 

We I have a few thoughts we can surmise here — it was clearly the most desirable path God had for His people, or to put it another way, it was the deepest desire of His heart, for His people, to live in His covenant promises. When we re-phrase it that way, it of course makes sense with the character of God we’ve learned more and more of since Moses and the burning bush. He is unashamedly seeking the good of His people. It’s beautiful and humbling. 

Goodness, look at v2 — “all these blessings will come and overtake you” — the blessings will overtake. When we look at the Hebrew word, which is helpful and handy, we learn more about what this word is clarifying (sidetone, if you don’t have a good Bible app with Greek & Hebrew, get one — my favorite free one is LiteralWord, SUCH a good Bible App). The Hebrew here for overtake implies some kind of pursuit, seriously, think about that — the blessings aren’t some mystery we have to seek out, they seek us out! This is how the covenant God is making with His people starts out, not in consequence and curse — but in blessings so vast, so plentiful, so sure — they are overtaking them. 

Think Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” God’s covenant love is not passive, or hidden — it pursues His people.

But what is meant by blessing? Well today this is more important than ever to understand. I joked earlier about #Blessed — but that’s sadly just the tip of the iceberg. We live in a world that is actively reframing words daily to mean what we WANT them to mean, not how they are properly defined. So blessing sadly has been misunderstood and mistaught at times. 

What ARE Blessings, Biblically?

What Blessing Really Means

• Biblical blessing is not circumstantial. It’s not about convenience or comfort (#Blessed when the Wi-Fi is fast), but about being rightly related to God and living under His favor, in His promise. It’s about His covenant.
• Notice in vv. 3–6: blessing touches every sphere (city and field, womb and work, basket and kneading bowl, going out and coming in). It’s touching all areas of life. It’s as though God is saying: “My goodness will permeate every corner of your life.”
• In Scripture, blessing is tied to God’s presence, provision, and purpose. No random luck, or “being legalistic” to get God’s favor. It’s living in the promise, and knowing the life it leads to.
• Obedience is the fruit of trust. God’s people are blessed because they walk in His ways, not because they manipulate Him.
• Jesus echoes this in John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Obedience is love lived out.
• This definitely is foreshadowing to Jesus — The ultimate blessing is Christ Himself.

Application for Today

• See blessing rightly. Train your eyes to recognize God’s covenant goodness in daily life (His presence, His Word, His people), not just a fast line at SBux.
• Live in obedience. Blessing is not earned legalistically, but experienced through walking in God’s ways.
• Rest in pursuit. You don’t have to chase blessing, it will chase you. God’s goodness overtakes His children. 
• Teach blessing carefully. Help others (and ourselves) distinguish between cultural #Blessed and Biblical blessedness, so they anchor their hope in Christ, not circumstances.

Ponder this thought — what does this tell us about God’s character? And how does this run up against the lies we’ve heard about God, that He should be our cosmic blessing machine, despite of our actions, and in spite of our poor understanding of Biblical blessing…  

Curse & Consequence

In Deut. 28:15-19 we start to see the opposite path the Hebrews can choose. If we read past v19, it continues sadly through v68. It’s a much longer list of curse and consequence than the blessing list. We see the initial list mirroring the exact manners in which they would be blessed, meaning that the curse for disobedience would be just as all-encompassing as the blessing would have been.

Poverty and scarcity would replace prosperity and fertility. 

At its heart, this list of curses really paints a VIVID picture. It’s not just curse and toil and struggle — it’s a life of misery. Contrast that, a life of obedience leads to blessing (not legalistic, but blessing following obedience because we are walking in God’s rhythms). But a life of disobedience leads to misery, because likewise, we are living outside of God’s intended rhythm and order. People do not like this — but it’s true. God did not hide this reality, but willingly, repeatedly shared the boundaries and expectations. 

I hate to even ask the question, but what do these curses show us of God’s character?*

*I love thinking about this question in all of Scripture, because even the hard portions, I must wonder, if God’s Word is His inspired, inerrant, authoritative Word — surely it has something to reveal about Him. 

About God I see a few things here:

• The curses help us see that God is holy and just. Holiness means boundary-keeping and justice means violations have moral consequences. The curses are an expression of God’s commitment to moral order, not a mood swing.
• We see how patient God is, and that He is warning them — because back to the start, His deepest desire is for them to live in the promise.
• I also see that God doesn’t want to immediately destroy them for failures, He clearly hopes to discipline them into repentance and right living.

Wrap Up

*Pre-P.S. — I was exhausted yesterday working on these notes, there is more than a good chance my wrap up is a little ADHD 🙂

In the end — we have to ask ourselves… what does this mean to me? I love learning about God’s character, but I need to apply His Word to my life too.

In Deut. 28, God lays before His people life and death, blessing and curse, and He keeps saying it… because He wants our flourishing! 

The small word “if” is not a cold contingency but a call to hear and walk in the rhythms that make covenant life possible. Blessing in Scripture is not a hashtag or a guarantee of material ease. It is God’s presence, provision, and purpose poured into every sphere of life for those who belong to him. We learn to live in the promise.

If you’re tempted to chase blessings as commodities, stop and look for the signs that God is still pursuing you –> the friends who speak truth, the peace that holds you in trial, the daily bread He provides.  ALSO, learn to practice spiritual disciplines — find faithful rhythms that help you hear God’s voice. And remember this ALL points to Jesus, the fullness of blessing is found in Christ. He bore the curse so we might live in God’s promise.

If Deuteronomy 28 is a pastoral call, then our response must be more than just theological knowledge (head) — it must be relational and embodied (hands and heart). 

Here’s how we can live this out:

• Name your “if.” What is one area where God is calling you to hear and obey this week? Not perfectly, but faithfully. Write it down. Pray over it.
• Choose one rhythm. Pick a simple, sustainable practice that helps you walk in God’s ways — daily Scripture, Sabbath rest, intentional generosity, or a truth-speaking conversation.
• Watch for pursuit. Each day, ask: How did God’s goodness pursue me today? Look for signs of his presence, provision, and purpose.

So — which path will you take? The path of obedience that leads to real life, fulfilling, beautiful, secure in the storm life? Or the path of disobedience that leads to misery, goading ourselves against God’s rhythm and order? In the end, it’s obvious the life that Yahweh wants for us — and I think if we are honest, perhaps not in the moment, but in the end, it’s the life we long deeply for too.

Benediction / Prayer
May the God who pursues His people with steadfast love open our eyes to His covenantal blessing, give us grace to hear and walk in His ways, and in Christ bring us into the life He intends.