Deuteronomy chapter 28

I hate being sick.

And oh, look, 68 verses to get through.

vs 1

I'm not exactly sure what being set high above other nations entails. It seems a little enigmatic. But I assume it's got something to do with being closer to God.

vs 2

Now we get to the list of blessings, which I will note now, like the curses, are specific to Israel and their covenant involving the land. I don't think we can rely on these. Of course, that doesn't mean they don't tell us anything about God's will or his wants - it just means don't expect all flowers and sunshine.

vs 3

So God blesses everyone living in the land, regardless of where they end up. The idea that God loves the rustic wholesomeness of working with one's hands on the farm more than the hustle and bustle of city life is just incorrect.

vs 4

I love the way children are measured up next to crops and livestock. It's all one idea - that of fruitfulness and fertility. The idea that a barn full of grain is as valuable to you as a new son or a fat calf.

vs 5

Not "full", which is what you really want to hear. But I guess the most blessed basket is either a full one, or just one that doesn't break.

vs 6

Whether you're out on the town or spending a quiet evening at home. I think it actually means more whether you're out at work or at home with family.

vs 7

God does not promise that their future will be one without war, or without people rising against them. No, people will still attack. But God will give victory. It's like the blessing of crops - God doesn't bless your basket by giving it hands and feet and making it do the harvest for you. You still have to work.

vs 8

So as long as you actually put your hand to it - rather than merely sticking your hand out - you will receive blessing. That's a pretty cool blessing. But note the fundamental tie between the blessing and the land.

vs 9

As a cap, the call for obedience to God is made both at the beginning of this new section of blessings, just so you can't forget that God's blessing and promises are contingent on obedience.

vs 10

God isn't just promising an occasional blessing, or a hard to measure blessing. It should be so obvious that God is blessing Israel that other nations can recognise it.

I think I'd be prepared to say the same thing about Christians today. Not necessarily that you're blessed by so much material blessing that it's obvious God is with you, but more that Christians should stand out among non-Christians so much that they can't help but be noticed for the difference. I don't know how much we do stand out though.