Deuteronomy 11:26-28 meaning

Moses sets the condition for Israel’s destiny in the Promised Land. If the people of God obey His principles, they will be blessed. If they fail to obey them, they will be cursed.

This section sums up the general stipulations section of the book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 5-11). Everything that Moses had said in the preceding chapters pertained to the choice between obedience and disobedience to God. In other words, in this section Moses clearly spelled out the conditions for the destiny of the Israelites, depending on their behavior in the land. He stated, See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse. The use of I is emphatic in Hebrew. It was the LORD Who set up the rules which the people needed to obey. The word today is also significant here. The word is used almost a hundred times in Deuteronomy, and it indicates something that is crucial for the people to know and respond to in obedience. The emphasis is upon the present, the current moment, which is the only time obedience is possible.

The term blessing often refers to God’s favor upon His children. It is typically linked with material possessions, well-being, and prosperity in the Old Testament (Genesis 12:2; Genesis 25; 2 Samuel 7). If the people would walk in obedience to God’s commands, and treat one another with respect, trustworthiness, and service, then God promised their nation would be blessed. Such a blessing would be in large part a natural consequence of Israel making such a choice. But God promised to add supernatural blessings as well. As such, the people of God would receive the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today. On the other hand, failure to obey God’s commandments would result in the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God. In the Old Testament, the word curse often refers to misfortune or lack of resources. This would happen if the Israelites failed to follow God’s commandments.

Moses further clarified how the Israelites could fail to listen to the commandments of the LORD if they should ever turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known. For Israel to turn aside from God’s way is to follow other gods with whom they had no experience. This would be a violation of the first commandment which states, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7). These gods did not have any covenant relationship with Israel, because God alone redeemed the Israelites from Egypt and made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:4-6). Thus, following false gods would bring curses upon the people of God.

The way of false gods included sexual perversion, child sacrifice, and human exploitation. It was a philosophy of self-seeking. God made it clear that He would discipline such behavior. Of course in large part, such behavior is self-destructive. But God promised to also bring divine discipline as well.

Biblical Text:

²⁶“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: ²⁷the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; ²⁸and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.

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Additional Resources

Book Theme

The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and last book of the Torah (“law”). It continues the story of the first 4 books and picks up exactly where the book of Numbers ends (with the people on the plain of Moab). Therefore, as we set the context for the book of Deuteronomy, it is important that we briefly summarize the theme of the previous books to see how the story of God unfolds.

Genesis describes God’s plan to bless the Israelites and the world through one man named Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). Exodus focuses on God’s loving act by which He rescued the Israelites from Egypt in order to have a covenant relationship with them. Once the children of Israel are redeemed, Leviticus instructs them to live a holy life that reflects the life of their covenant redeemer (cf. Lev. 19). Since the first generation of the Israelites failed to obey God wholeheartedly, the book of Numbers displays a strong contrast between God’s faithfulness and the nation’s failure. That is why the book of Deuteronomy reiterates and expands on the covenant to a new generation of Israelites poised to enter and conquer the Promised Land. The message of the book is centered around two key terms: love and loyalty (Deut. 6:4-5).

Outline of Deuteronomy:

I. Introduction: Moses will explain the law (1:1 – 5)
II. Moses’ First Sermon – a Recounting of the LORD’s Faithfulness (1:6 – 4:43)
III. Introduction to Second Sermon on expositing the Law (4:44 – 49)
IV. Moses’ Second Sermon – an Exposition of the Law Given at Mt. Sinai (5:1 – 26:19)
V. Script for Covenant Renewal Ceremony Once they enter the land (27:1 – 29:1)
VI. Moses’ Third Sermon – a Call to Obedience (29:2 – 30:20)
VII. The Last Acts of Moses (31:1 – 34:12)

Chapter Context

Deuteronomy 11 concludes the section concerning the general principles of the covenant which began in chapter 5. In this chapter, Moses commands the Israelites to be loyal and faithful to the Suzerain (Ruler) God for who He is and for all the mighty acts which He has done. Faithfulness in keeping the Covenant requirements would guarantee success in conquering the Promised Land as well as a prosperous and comfortable life. The people were to teach their children to be faithful to the covenant laws in order that the LORD’s blessing would continue. Their faithfulness in living in a self-governing manner, loving and serving one another, would of course create a natural consequence of a safe and prosperous community. Finally, Moses sets the condition for Israel’s destiny in the Promised Land and asks the people to have a covenant-renewal ceremony once they possess the land.

Chapter 11 can be outlined as follows:
• The Call to Love and Obey the Suzerain LORD (Deut. 11:1 – 7)
• Complete Obedience is Required for Possessing the Land (Deut. 11:8 – 12)
• Complete Obedience is Required for Prosperity and Abundance in the Land (Deut. 11:13 – 17)
• Complete Obedience Needs to be Taught to Future Generations (Deut. 11:18 – 21)
• Complete Obedience is Required to be Victorious Over the Nations (Deut. 11:22 – 25)
• The Call to Observe a Covenant-Renewal Ceremony (Deut. 11:26 – 32)

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 meaning

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Additional Resources

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The Bible Project - Deuteronomy Summary

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