To repeat the same things over again is a protection. Those who struggle against sin must be reminded again and again. If we start to chafe at the warnings, it simply shows how much we need them. “Therefore thou shalt love the Lord they God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments alway . . .” (Deuteronomy 11).
Love God. Do what He says (v. 1). He is speaking to those who have seen His works (v. 2). This is a call to obedience with two historical examples given—one positive and the other negative. The first is the Exodus itself (vv. 3-5) and the second is the rebellion under Dathan and Abiram (vv. 6-7). God has given them the law in order that they might prolong their days in the land (vv. 8-9). That land is a good land, watered from heaven (vv. 10-15). They are to guard their hearts lest they dry up the land with their idolatries (vv. 16-17). Since these things are true, inculcate the law (vv. 18-21). And if you obey, the dread of you will be on all the nations (vv. 22-25). The blessing and cursing are before Israel (vv. 26-32).
Loving God, in both testaments, is manifested through doing what He says (v. 1). This is love, that we keep His commandments. The desire to separate love from law, or grace from law, is an anarchic desire.
God showed His love to these people by destroying their enemies, both foreign and domestic. God is speaking to a people who have seen His deliverances (v. 2). In Egypt God destroyed the land with great miracles (v. 3). Following this, He destroyed their armies, and caused the water of the Red Sea to flow over their faces (v. 4). He did many things to Israel during their forty years as well (v. 5). Within the covenant nation, God dealt with Dathan and Abiram. This story is told in Numbers 16. The challenge of God’s appointed leadership was a challenge of God Himself. It did not matter that the challenge came from within Israel. Their destruction was as total as it was for Egypt (vv. 6-7). We also need to know that the apostle Paul refers to this incident when discussing how false teachers challenged his apostolic authority (2 Tim. 2:19). Some things don’t ever change.
Unlike Egypt, the land of Canaan did not need irrigation. And this is an indirect answer to the charge made by Dathan and Abiram (Num. 16:13). They are to keep God’s commands, with one eye on the clouds. They are to receive the great blessing of a land which does not need irrigation (vv. 8-11). God cares for this land; His eyes are upon it (v. 12). But disobedience will affect the rainfall (vv. 13-17).
This means that they must teach their children well. Moses returns here to the great themes of chapter 6. This being the case, education in the Lord is a fundamental priority (vv. 18-21). If these commandments are obeyed and taught to the next generation, then the Lord will sweep all their enemies before them (vv. 22-25).
What is set before Israel (v. 26)? A profound choice is given to them—do they want blessings or curses? A blessing is promised for obedience (v. 27), and curses for disobedience (v. 28). As they face the east (which would be “north” on their “maps”), the mount of blessing would be on the right, on the south side of the road (v. 29). The curse was on the left. These two mountains are a memorial in the heart of the land (v. 30). Cross over into the land (v. 31), and do what God says (v. 32).
What are the applications for us? We are the true Israel of God, and it is through faith that we inherit the promises. The dread of the Lord—if we are to rejoice in a great victory, it will be the result of the Lord working through the instrument of our obedience. This is particularly true with regard to teaching our children. Prolong your days—God loves to prolong the days of His people (v. 9; cf. Prov. 4:10). Disobedience means we must “perish quickly” (v. 17). Obedience means that days will be multiplied (v. 21). Remember again the first commandment with a promise. Blessing and cursing—stand on the road and face east. The mount of blessing is to your right, the curses to your left. The wise man’s heart, Ecclesiastes tells us, inclines to the right. Seek out blessings from God. Pursue them. Covet them. Be like Jacob wrestling with the angel—don’t let go until you have received the kindness of His blessing.