Deuteronomy 11:26 - Your Choice: A Blessing or a Curse?

Deuteronomy 11:26 - Your Choice: A Blessing or a Curse?

Deu 11:26 (TEV)  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.  

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] 

The blessing was to be theirs for obedience and the curse for 
disobedience. [Expositors Bible Commentary] 

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 in Moses' Law. 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] 

This basic principle has never changed: if we obey God's Word 
from the heart, He will bless us and our labors; but if we disobey 
Him, He will send a curse and chasten us. Obedience is the key to 
happiness. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines] 

The opposite of a blessing is a curse. As God's blessing brings 
vitality, so His curse takes it away. People become sick, suffer, and die 
(1 Cor. 11:30; James 1:13-15). [Nelson SB] 

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

Acts 5:32b (TEV)  the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to those 
who obey him."  

The attitude of receiving and welcoming the Holy Spirit into our 
lives is to be the continual attitude of a believer. [My Utmost For 
His Highest re Luk.24:49] 

If we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then 
each moment as it comes is precious. [In His Time; My Utmost For His 
Highest re Mar.6:45] 

2 Chr 16:9a (NIV)  For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the 
earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 

    The source of Christ's victory, the secret of His power, and 
of ours, lies in obedience .... In an obedient heart there is a way 
prepared for God.  There are many Christians who always seek pleasure and 
satisfaction for themselves.  These have not yet learned that only obedient 
children are happy children.  That which in truth brings abiding 
happiness is nothing else than obedience toward God.  For a healthy soul 
there is only one thing that counts - to be obedient. 
    Why have so many of God's lambs so little assurance of 
salvation?  Why are their souls not satisfied with the peace of God?  God 
gives us the answer in Isa.48:18: "Oh, that thou hadst hearkened to my 
commandments!  Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as 
the waves of the sea."  People say, "I lack faith.  I have too 
little faith; therefore I have no assurance of salvation, no peace."  
But in most instances it is not faith which is lacking, for even 
with a trembling hand one can receive costly gifts.  It is rather 
obedience which is lacking.  There is something in their lives which they 
will not let go, and which hinders the Holy Spirit from giving them 
the assurance that they are God's children ... No one who is 
disobedient to God can have confidence in Him.  Confidence is a result of 
obedience. G. Steomberger [Time with God SB] 

Our Lord never insists on having authority over us. He never 
says, "You will submit to me." No, He leaves us perfectly free to 
choose--so free, in fact, that we can spit in His face or we can put Him to 
death, as others have done; and yet He will never say a word. But once 
His life has been created in me through His redemption, I instantly 
recognize His right to absolute authority over me. It is a complete and 
effective domination, in which I acknowledge that "You are worthy, O Lord" 
(Revelation 4:11). It is simply the unworthiness within me that refuses to 
bow down or to submit to one who is worthy.  If our Lord insisted on 
our obedience, He would simply become a taskmaster and cease to have 
any real authority. He never insists on obedience, but when we truly 
see Him we will instantly obey Him. Then He is easily Lord of our 
life, and we live in adoration of Him from morning till night. [My 
Utmost For His Highest re Joh.13:13]