Deut. 29:9(10)–30:20*
Notice what is happening here in the opening verses of this parashah. ALL of the people are STANDING before Adonai.
This included the heads of the people, all leaders, men, women, children and ALSO all foreigners that were among the children of Israel; counting themselves as part of them. Then Adonai gives them the warning that He is setting before them a “blessing or a curse”, “life or death” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
The people are warned that if they do not heed ALL the Word commanded of them, then they will receive a curse and
death, however, if they OBEY they will receive a blessing and life. Adonai is merciful and desires LIFE and BLESSING over DEATH and CURSING, but the CHOICE belongs to each individual. In verse 30:19, Adonai states that each individual is to CHOOSE which one they would like.
Adonai promises that when they disobey His commands that they will go into exile. However, He also promises that when they find themselves in exile that if they repent and RETURN to obedience then He
will find them where ever they have been scattered and He will return them to the land. Adonai never forgets His people!
Although He NEVER winks at sin and lets it go unnoticed, He always shows mercy and forgiveness to those who
repent and return to the straight paths.
In Deuteronomy 29:18-21 we read:
“So let there not be among you a man, woman, family or tribe whose heart turns away today from ADONAI our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Let there not be among you a root bearing
such bitter poison and wormwood. If there is such a person, when he hears the words of this curse, he will bless himself secretly, saying to himself, 'I will be all right, even though I will stubbornly keep doing whatever I feel like doing; so that I, although "dry," [sinful,] will be added to the "watered" [righteous].' But ADONAI will not forgive him. Rather, the anger and jealousy of ADONAI will blaze
up against that person. Every curse written in this book will be upon him. ADONAI will blot out his name from under heaven. ADONAI will single him out from all the tribes of Isra'el to experience what
is bad in all the curses of the covenant written in this book of the Torah.” (CJB)
Notice the refusal of this person to heed the warning and to make excuses for their rebellion and disobedience. Adonai says that He will not forgive a person making such denial of his position of
sin, but rather states that He will blot this person's name from under Heaven and will bring all the curses mentioned in Torah upon this evil, corrupt, and disobedient person.
When a person chooses to go their own way, against the commands, statutes and judgments of Adonai, they have chosen the way of cursing and death. I have heard many people moan and complain against
holy living while stating that, “God would never send me to eternal punishment because what kind of merciful God
would do that?” My friend, let me make this as plain as the difference between light and darkness: God sends no one to eternal punishment but He lets you make that CHOICE for yourself. Don't blame anyone else, including God, for your choices.
The Creator has given each of us a road map to eternal life and blessing but this life and blessing only comes through obedience to His ways. He is a holy God and demands holiness of His children. If we fail then we have an advocate,
Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah who will forgive us our sins.
What will you choose? Life or death, blessing or cursing?
Shalom,
Leisa