Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Deuteronomy 28 Devotional

The Weight of the Covenant

“Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance,”Deuteronomy 28:47 (BSB)

Deuteronomy 28 is among the Bible's most sobering chapters. It begins with blessing: if Israel listens to the LORD, they will be blessed in the city and the country, in their children, harvests, and flocks, coming in and going out (28:1-6). Then, at far greater length, it describes the curses that would follow if they turned away. Every blessing is reversed, one by one (28:16-19). The list moves through disease, drought, defeat, a siege so terrible that parents would eat their own children (28:53), and finally scattering among the nations. It ends with Israel sent back to Egypt, the exodus run in reverse (28:68).

The chapter does not exaggerate the cost of abandoning God. One line names the root problem: they did not serve the LORD with joy and gladness when they had plenty (28:47). God takes his covenant with utter seriousness. Yet this is not his last word. Two chapters later he promises to gather the scattered and change their hearts (30:3-6). His warnings are worth heeding precisely because his mercy is greater still.

To think about: Where has having plenty made your service to God feel less like joy and more like routine?

About Deuteronomy 28: Blessings and Curses of the Covenant

If Israel obeys, the Lord will bless them in the city and field, in their families, crops, and flocks, and set them above the nations. If they disobey, curses will reverse every blessing, bringing disease, defeat, siege, and exile until they are scattered among the nations.

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