Read Deuteronomy 11 – Choices… The Lord loves us so much that he designed each of us with freewill. Freewill is a risk, but what good is love if there is no other option? Love is only true love when we lay all other temptations aside and choose it.
Because the Israelites had seen the mighty deeds of the LORD with their own eyes, he is giving them the instruction to obey every command. And he gives a WHY – so that they may have strength to go in and take over the land they were about to enter. (:7-8).
God could have just zapped the inhabitants of the land in a divine and miraculous way, but he required that the Israelites take part in the take over. It would be hard. Hard things are worthwhile and more valuable to the one who worked for it. The land is wonderful, full of hills and valleys so they will not have to dig irrigation ditches as they did in Egypt. God tells them it is, “a land that the LORD your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year!” :12 But they still had to do their part.
The LORD cautions them to guard their hearts lest they are deceived and turn away from the LORD and serve and worship other gods. :16 Beloved, that can happen so easily; Satan is a master at subtly whispering temptations that pull one away from Jesus… Maybe things come up on Sunday that keep you from church, maybe you stop reading your bible once or twice… then before you know it you find yourself so far away you aren’t sure how to get back. Be on guard and protect your time with the LORD, that is how you show him your love. (:22)
Verses :26-32 present an interesting picture. They are to pronounce the blessing at Mount Gerizim and the curse at Mount Ebal. We love blessings! We don’t love curses. But as much as it’s good to know what you are aiming for, the prize, the blessing; it is also important to know what’s at stake, the downside, the curses. May the words of verse :26 echo in your heart and mind: LOOK, TODAY I AM GIVING YOU THE CHOICE BETWEEN A BLESSING AND A CURSE!
Judy in the Sky 