Blessings and curses

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now chose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19

Suppose the pastor of a large church divided his congregation into two groups, and announced, “Half of you represent blessings, and the other half curses. Now, I’m going to read a list of what you are to do if you want to be blessed, and you on the left say, ‘Amen.’ Then I am going to read a list of what will bring God’s curses on your life, and you on the right say, ‘Amen.’”

That is exactly what Moses instructed Joshua to do when Israel crossed the Jordan and entered Canaan.

Mount Gerizim represented blessing, and there were assembled Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. Across the small valley was assembled Reuben, Gad, Asher, Dan, Napthali and Zebulun.

What brought blessings? Obeying the Lord and faithfully following His commands and laws. This resulted in a bountiful harvest, overflowing barns, growing flocks and herds, safety from the enemy, long life and many children.

In what some have called the greatest sermon ever preached, Jesus talked about blessing. He began saying “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Over 200 times in the Bible, God bestows blessings of one kind or another on individuals.

But what about curses? Negative results of sinful behavior often play out the reality that God blesses those who bless Him, and the curses of rejecting Him echo back in our broken, dysfunctional lives.

When Joshua split the group into two great masses of people, he announced, “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among all the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name. I Chronicles 16:23-29