Deuteronomy 28-- Filled with dread

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28 (especially verses 64-68)

When we started on this journey through Deuteronomy, I figured I might come to a section or chapter that is difficult to write about. An offensive command or a gory bloodbath. Here in chapter 28, in Moses' closing thoughts after re-giving the Law, we may have reached just that type of section.

Moses has given the Law, and the people have declared that they will obey it. Moses tells them to commemorate this by making an altar and writing down God's words. And now, he goes to the greatest lengths possible to persuade them to make good on their word and obey their God.

There are two easy ways to motivate obedience-- to promise reward for compliance and to threaten punishment for defiance. I'm sure psychological theories abound on these methods, not to mention old adages about catching flies with honey and vinegar. All that aside, Moses (and through him, God) uses both methods in this chapter to, at all costs, convince Israel to be in a right relationship with God.

If they will just follow Him, blessings will visit them in all areas of life: agriculture, military, possessions, children, reputation... an amazing picture is painted of a nation obedient to God's will.

However, in case that's not motivation enough, Moses employs a heavy dose of vinegar. If they turn their backs on God, the curses, plagues, and destruction they will experience will be even more widespread than the promised blessings. At one point in this chapter, Moses envisions a horrifying potential future in which besieged Israelites will be forced to eat their young to survive. It is a truly revolting and terrifying scene, as I'm sure it was meant to be.

And while this portrait may seem to indicate Moses is taking things "a step too far," is he? Can someone really go too far in expressing the downfalls of rejecting a right relationship with God? While those who reject God may be spared the external curses of siege and starvation, they will exist in spiritual death, separated from their Creator and Savior. 

They also might not be spared the inward calamities of life apart from God:

"...an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart... filled with dread both day and night, never sure of your life" (28:65b-66).

Sure, today there are more acceptable forms of warning and imploring than listing off blessings and curses. But Moses' point remains: woe to us if we turn our backs on God.