Where some
portions of Scripture may be obscure, inviting negligence of them, others are
so powerfully direct there can be no questioning their meaning. Deuteronomy 28:47 & 48 is an example of
the latter, so direct and clear there can be no misunderstanding its message.
This is a
comprehensive passage that covers the whole of life, indicating Jehovah God is
in charge of all things, how His children are to respond to “all things” and
what will happen to them if they don’t respond in the way He says.
A very
integral part of God’s redemptive story with Israel (the Jews) is revealed in
Deuteronomy, Chapter 28. Here “Blessings
on Obedience” are spelled out and “Curses on Disobedience” are detailed. How did these work out for Israel? Exactly and ruthlessly. Because we see the consequence of things for
Israel, we can see how appropriate, applied principles will work out for us who
are non-Jew believers in Jehovah God.
Exactly and shall we say, ruthlessly?
Here’s the
principle: “Because you did not serve the
Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things,
therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in
hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of all things; and He will put a
yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you” (Deuteronomy
28:47&48).
Here’s what
God is saying, “I am sovereign God over all things, even when things appear to
be totally out of control: loss of a child, loss of a mate, loss of a job; name
it-- there are no exceptions. I even
make the wrath of man to praise Me (Psalm 76:10), that is, the worst one man
can do to another I can turn that thing to good and make it praise Me. The worst thing you can experience I can make
work for your good and My glory (Romans 8:28).
Therefore rejoice and let your praise to Me dominate the whole of your
life.”
Whether you
feel like praising God in your circumstance is quite beside the point. The more critical issue is: will you go by your faith or your feelings?
Which will
it be—you decide?
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