As the people prepare to go into the land of Caanan, God through Moses, renews His covenant with His people. There are multiple blessings if they obey and multiple curses if they don't. Look again at Leviticus 26:14-42 from yesterday's reading. Notice the progression of the punishment for their disobedience. Each stage of punishment gets worse than the one before ranging from diseases to hunger so intense that the people resort to eating their children. Finally, their punishment reaches a crescendo when the people no longer have peace. They live with an anxious mind and are in constant suspense, fearful of even a "windblown leaf". (Lev. 26:36)

And then Moses reminds the people of all that God has done for them. He reminds them that God sets before them "life and prosperity, death and destruction". (Deut. 30:15)

All the promises made to Israel are also promises made to those who believe in Jesus.

Notice all the times the word "if" is used.  The use of the word "if" means the people are given a choice. 

One of the curses of oppression was confusion of mind.  This is so prevalent in the religious establishment and in our churches today.  But there shouldn't be.  Truth never changes.  People's perception of the truth is dependent on whether or not they are listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The curses listed in today's reading are literal curses but if we really think about it, they are spiritual as well. 
"The Lord will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder..." Reminiscent of the dust bowl of the 1930s in the US?  There was a famine in the land.  Is there a spiritual famine today - a famine of hearing the Word - of hearing the truth?

As we read about the curses of captivity in Deut 28, it seems as if things can't get much worse than this.  It is a description of a totally godless people.

The people are reminded to be cautious in turning to the right or to the left following other gods and serving them. Good advice for all of us today as well. There will always be something on each side for us to follow after instead of keeping our focus on Him.

In Deut 27 Moses tells the people to"write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up."  What great advice for the people then.  Are the commands of God being taught clearly to us today? 

Deut 27:15
Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an idol - a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of the craftsman's hands - and sets it up in secret."
Makes one think about burying the statue of St. Joseph in the yard of a house for sale, and then praying for St. Joseph to intervene in the sale of the house.  Don't think that is pleasing to God for a number of reasons. 

Have you ever really thought about the verse, “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.”?

God never asks us to do anything that is beyond our capabilities. He does set a very high standard though doesn’t He? Sometimes we may think it is insurmountable but He promises us that it isn’t. Why?
“…the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

How do we get the word in our mouth and in our heart? Would that be possible if we only spend a few minutes each week listening to a sermon? Or if we only spend a few minutes each week in prayer? Or if we only spend a few minutes each week in any kind of daily devotional? Or if we only spend a few minutes each week reading His Word?

I don’t think so!

ps
Thursday night Bible study is ongoing, teaching is The Biblical View of Holy Week. Also weekly Wednesday Worship Home Group, and weekly e-bible study Discussion Sessions.