Lent Devotion for March 15

Part of our Lent Devotion series, written by Dr. Dan Sharp, Minister of Worship. (Subscribe)

"Blessings and Curses"

Reader: “On the same day…”
Response: “Moses commanded the people.”

SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy  27:11–19

11 On the same day Moses commanded the people:
12 When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. 13 And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.
14 The Levites shall recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
15 “Cursed is anyone who makes an idol—a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of skilled hands—and sets it up in secret.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
16 “Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
17 “Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
18 “Cursed is anyone who leads the blind astray on the road.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
19 “Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

Reader: "The word of the Lord.”
Response: “Thanks be to God.”

SOME THOUGHTS:
This section of Deuteronomy with its account of the blessings and curses is typical of the kind of suzerain-vassal covenant God made with His people. Remember, it is a covenant made between a Ruler and his subjects. Blessing of the Ruler is conditional upon obedience to the terms of the agreement. It is not a covenant between equals. If the subjects are disobedient to the stipulations of the covenant, then a curse and disaster will fall upon them. In this chapter and in chapter twenty-eight to follow, which lists the blessings and the benefits of those blessings spelled out, we notice the list of curses is double in size the list of blessings! That is probably in line with people’s natural desire to dwell on the blessings and neglect the curse side of things. You’ll recall in the reading regarding the zeal of the tribe of Levi from a few days ago, it is not surprising that they were the ones to read the curses and blessings for the rest of the Israelites. They were the people with a passion for truth and fearless vigor to go after it in all situations. So, here again, God uses them to proclaim His expectation as to how the nation is to live. You see in the order of the curses listed, at the forefront is a concern with the worship of God. Such is the starting point of the most significant relationship for every person, their communion with God. The center of life is that walk with the Lord, the heavenly parent. (The greatest commandment in Jesus’ own words.) The second curse has to do with earthly parents; next to God, these people deserve the greatest respect and honor on earth. After those two curses, the next ones have to do with gracious, compassionate treatment of others as well as moral integrity. The Lenten season is a good time to ask yourself, “In truth, how is my relationship with the Lord going? How am I treating those less fortunate? How am I helping to care for the poor, the widowed, the foreigner, the homeless?” Moses gives a clear and strong message as to the responsibility of the community to care for those who struggle. We are to look beyond ourselves and our comforts to reflect the heart of God. 

MUSIC:
"Fix Me Jesus” by Jubilant Sykes (Watch on YouTube)

PRAYER:
Make us of quick and tender conscience, O Lord; that understanding we may obey every word of Thine, and discerning may follow every suggestion of Thine indwelling Spirit. Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth…and doeth (!). Amen. 

- Christina Rossetti, alt. by Daniel Sharp