Blessings and Curses

Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction. [Joshua 8.34]

Those blessings and curses were part of the covenant between God and His people. They are found in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26. They describe in detail what the rewards are for obedience and what the punishments are for disobedience. Between Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26, the point is made clearly that God rewards obedience with good things and uses bad things to punish disobedience.

I know I address Deuteronomy 28 (and Leviticus 26) quite frequently here in this blog. The reason I do so is because of the contrast found today in how we interpret blessings and curses. There is a huge discrepancy. 

Israel interpreted bad things to mean they had sinned and were in need of repentance. In contrast, the modern Church doesn't seem to have such a clear understanding of bad things. In fact, much of the Church actually has adopted doctrines that bad things can and do actually happen to good people. The Bible however simply does not support such belief. Consequently, the Church's view of curses has clouded its ability to discern the need for, and therefore practice of, repentance.

When God's people see 'natural' events as purely natural, there is no repentance. When God's people see physical trouble as purely random, there is no repentance. When God's people see political unrest as purely circumstantial, there is no repentance. When God's people see financial hardship as purely the result of failed strategies, there is no repentance.

One would expect the godless world to have these views. However, the Church should provide stark contrast - but it doesn't. The lack of repentance is a catastrophic and eternal problem:

‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Jesus - Luke 24.47b]

In other words, if there is no repentance, there is no forgiveness. If there is no forgiveness, there are no blessings - no health, prosperity, favor, abundance, family, or goodwill. At least, that is what the Bible teaches...

So then, are we going to argue that those curses were "Old Testament" (or "Old Covenant")? That argument is quickly refuted by Jesus' own words:

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. [Luke 22.20]

What I mean is this, if we are going to say the whole "blessings and curses" thing was Old Testament, then how in the world can we ever conclude that those bad things called curses in the Old Testament (that we now call 'natural' or 'random' events) are part of a new and better covenant? If sickness, loss and problems are part of a better covenant, then let's all sign up, right? (really? NO!)

The problem today is that the Church has allowed the lines between blessings and curses to become obscure. We don't know if good or bad things are the result of God's blessings or His curses. Consequently, all we are left to do is "submit" to whatever and hope heaven is more sure than blessings or curses.

But the most dangerous part of the solution just noted is that if people do not repent... they are not saved.

When "good" or "bad" is determined by people, and not God's Word, then the chaos in which we now live is the result. What is good? What is bad? Who's place is it to say what is good for me is good for you? The answers are all found in God's Word. But we have to get rid of our 'religious glasses' to see it (because religion has unfortunately twisted it).

We would all do well to better acquaint ourselves with the blessings and curses associated with obedience or disobedience respectively.

Father, help me to see Your Word through clear lenses. Help me to see Your pure Holy Word as it is written and not as it is interpreted by faithless, powerless people.