Deuteronomy 11:26 - Free Choice: Blessing Or Curse

Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse--a blessing,
if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;
but a curse, if you disobey these commands and turn away to worship other
gods.  Deu 11:26 (TEV)

A blessing and a curse. Implying man's free will and power of choice. God
commands, but man is free to choose whether he will obey [SDA Commentary]

Loyal obedience leads to covenant blessing. Disobedience leads to covenant
curses which involves suffering. God's people cannot blame suffering on Him.
[Disciple SB]

Obedience is the key to happiness. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]

It is amazing that God set before the Israelites a choice between blessings
and curses. It is even more amazing that most of them, through their
disobedience, chose the curses. We have the same fundamental choice today.
We can live for ourselves or live in service to God. To choose our own way
is to travel on a dead-end road, but to choose God's way is to receive
eternal life (John 5:24). [Life Application SB]

This blessing is provided within the context of a unique relationship. God
made a commitment to Abraham to bless his offspring (Gen. 12; 17). But each
generation and each Israelite had to personally accept that relationship by
faith, and by faith choose to follow the moral and religious pathway God
laid down. God still stands poised to pour out blessings on His people. But
we too must choose the path that leads to blessing. As Deut. 11:26-28 says,
there is blessing "if you obey the commands of the Lord your God" but a
"curse if you disobey . . . and turn from the way" [Victor Bible Reader's
Companion]

We have broken the law, and are under its curse, without remedy from
ourselves. In mercy, the gospel again sets before us a blessing and a curse.
A blessing, if we obey the call to repentance, to faith in Christ, and
newness of heart and life through him; an awful curse, if we neglect so
great salvation. Let us thankfully welcome these glad tidings of great joy;
and let us not harden our hearts, but hear this voice of God while it is
called to-day, and while he invites us to come to him upon a mercy-seat. Let
us be diligent to make our calling and election sure. [Matthew Henry
Commentary]

Love, because you are loved.
Respond, because God has acted for you.
Lay up God's words in your heart-because God has laid you on His heart.
Believers are loved, and are to be loving. [Victor Teacher's Commentary]