If you were in Sunday's class, you learned that there are 1,522 Ifs in scripture, and most of them definitely express the conditions upon which God will bless men. Not one unconditional covenant, promise, or blessing is found in the bible. (THAT SHOCKED ME, not sure if it SHOCKS YOU) We know that God will not bless men who transgress his word.
We mentioned this verse below in class and I encourage you to read all of Deuteronomy 28 on your own. Dont take our word for it search it out yourself.
(Deuteronomy 28:15) - "But it shall come to pass, IF thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.")
n what Deuteronomy 28 entails when we listen to the Lord's voice, which is his word. It's not enough to just listen, but we need to do what he says so that the blessings can overtake us.
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For IF any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:22-25)
Blessings God will give:
Exaltation above all other nations
Prosperity in cities and rural areas
Fruitful families and livestock
Abundant food and possessions
Favor wherever one goes
Victory over enemies
Success in all endeavors
Holiness/special relationship with God
Respect from all people
Material prosperity
Productive agriculture
Valuable treasures
Seasonal rains; bountiful harvests
Lending, not borrowing
Leadership role among people
Good health and healing
Freedom from disease epidemics
Mental clarity and emotional stability
What we will not endure from the curses:
Poverty and low status
Failing crops and livestock
Empty barns and starvation
Misfortune wherever one goes
Defeat from enemies
Failure and ruin in all work
Abandonment by God
Scorn from all people
Lack of basic necessities
Famines and droughts
Debt/insolvency
Homelessness
Physical illness and disease
Plagues and epidemics
Madness, blindness, confusion
"And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, IF thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." (Deuteronomy 28:2)
Our focus should not be on seeking blessings from God, but rather on following His word and a relationship with him. When we obey His commands and live according to His will, the blessings will come naturally and effortlessly. According to Deuterononmy 28 they will overtake us. It's important to ask ourselves whether we are seeking to follow God's word for our own gain, or because we truly love Him. We need to understand that our ultimate goal should be a deep and meaningful relationship with our Heavenly Father, and that the blessings we receive along the way are just an added bonus because he is a good Father and he loves us!
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