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Commentary on Deuteronomy 28 verses 1–14
The blessings are here put before the curses, to intimate, 1. That God is slow to anger, but swift to show mercy: he has said it, and sworn, that he would much rather we would obey and live than sin and die. It is his delight to bless. 2. That though both the promises and the threatenings are designed to bring and hold us to our duty, yet it is better that we be allured to that which is good by a filial hope of God's favour than that we be frightened to it by a servile fear of his wrath. That obedience pleases best which comes from a principle of delight in God's goodness. Now,
I. We have here the conditions upon which the blessing is promised. 1. It is upon condition that they diligently hearken to the voice of God (Deu 28:1, Deu 28:2), that they hear God speaking to them by his word, and use their utmost endeavours to acquaint themselves with his will, Deu 28:13. 2. Upon condition that they observe and do all his commandments (and in order to obedience there is need of observation) and that theykeep the commandments of God (Deu 28:9) and walk in his ways. Not only do them for once, but keep them for ever; not only set out in his ways, but walk in them to the end. 3. Upon condition that they should not go aside either to the right hand or to the left, either to superstition on the one hand, or profaneness on the other; and particularly that they should not go after other gods (Deu 28:14), which was the sin that of all others they were most prone to, and God would be most displeased with. Let them take care to keep up religion, both the form and power of it, in their families and nation, and God would not fail to bless them.
II. The particulars of this blessing.
1.It is promised that the providence of God should prosper them in all their outward concerns. These blessings are said to overtake them, Deu 28:2. Good people sometimes, under the sense of their unworthiness, are ready to fly from the blessing and to conclude that it belongs not to them,; but the blessing shall find them out and follow them notwithstanding. Thus in the great day the blessing will overtake the righteous that say, Lord, when saw we thee hungry and fed thee? Mat 25:37. Observe,
(1.)Several things are enumerated in which God by his providence would bless them: - [1.] They should be safe and easy; a blessing should rest upon their persons wherever they were, in the city, or in the field, Deu 28:3. Whether their habitation was in town or country, whether they were husbandmen or tradesmen, whether their business called them into the city or into the field, they should be preserved from the dangers and have the comforts of their condition. This blessing should attend them in their journeys, going out and coming in, Deu 28:6. Their persons should be protected, and the affair they went about should succeed well. Observe here, What a necessary and constant dependence we have upon God both for the continuance and comfort of this life. We need him at every turn, in all the various movements of life; we cannot be safe if he withdraw his protection, nor easy if he suspend his favour; but, if he bless us, go where we will it is well with us. [2.] Their families should be built up in a numerous issue: blessed shall be the fruit of thy body (Deu 28:4), and in that the Lord shall make thee plenteous (Deu 28:11), in pursuance of the promise made to Abraham, that his seed should be as the stars of heaven for multitude, and that God would be a God to them, than which a greater blessing, and more comprehensive, could not be entailed upon the fruit of their body. See Isa 61:9. [3.] They should be rich, and have an abundance of all the good things of this life, which are promised them, not merely that they might have the pleasure of enjoying them, but (as bishop Patrick observes out of one of the Jewish writers) that they might have wherewithal to honour God, and might be helped and encouraged to serve him cheerfully and to proceed and persevere in their obedience to him. A blessing is promised, First, On all they had without doors, corn and cattle in the field (Deu 28:4, Deu 28:11), their cows and sheep particularly, which would be blessed for the owners' sakes, and made blessings to them. In order to this, it is promised that God would give them rain in due season, which is called his good treasure (Deu 28:12), because with this river of God the earth is enriched, Psa 65:9. Our constant supplies we must see coming from God's good treasure, and own our obligations to him for them; if he withhold his rain, the fruits both of the ground and of the cattle soon perish. Secondly, On all they had within doors, the basket and the store (Deu 28:5), the store-houses or barns, Deu 28:8. When it is brought home, God will bless it, and not blow upon it as sometimes he does, Hag 1:6, Hag 1:9. We depend upon God and his blessing, not only for our yearly corn out of the field, but for our daily bread out of our basket and store, and therefore are taught to pray for it every day. [4.] They should have success in all their employments, which would be a constant satisfaction to them: "The Lord shall command the blessing (and it is he only that can command it) upon thee, not only in all thou hast, but in all thou doest, all that thou settest thy hand to," Deu 28:8. This intimated that even when they were rich they must not be idle, but must find some good employment or other to set their hand to, and God would own their industry, and bless the work of their hand (Deu 28:12); for that which makes rich, and keeps so, is the blessing of the Lord upon the hand of the diligent, Pro 10:4, Pro 10:22. [5.] They should have honour among their neighbours (Deu 28:1): The Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations. He made them so, by taking them into covenant with himself, Deu 26:19. And he would make them more and more so by their outward prosperity, if they would not by sin disparage themselves. Two things should help to make them great among the nations: - First, Their wealth (Deu 28:12): "Thou shalt lend to many nations upon interest" (which they were allowed to take form the neighbouring nations), "but thou shalt not have occasion to borrow." This would give them great influence with all about them; for the borrower is servant to the lender. It may be meant of trade and commerce, that they should export abundantly more than they should import, which would keep the balance on their side. Secondly, Their power (Deu 28:13): "The Lord shall make thee the head, to give law to all about thee, to exact tribute, and to arbitrate all controversies." Every sheaf should bow to theirs, which would make them so considerable that all the people of the earth would be afraid of them (Deu 28:10), that is, would reverence their true grandeur, and dread making them their enemies. The flourishing of religion among them, and the blessing of God upon them, would make them formidable to all their neighbours, terrible as an army with banners. [6.] They should be victorious over their enemies, and prosper in all their wars. If any were so daring as to rise up against them to oppress them, or encroach upon them, it should be at their peril, they should certainly fall before them, Deu 28:7. The forces of the enemy, though entirely drawn up to come against them one way, should be entirely routed, and flee before them seven ways, each making the best of his way.
(2.)From the whole we learn (though it were well if men would believe it) that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity. Though temporal blessings do not take up so much room in the promises of the New Testament as they do in those of the Old, yet it is enough that our Lord Jesus has given us his word (and surely we may take his word) that if we seek first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, all other things shall be added to us, as far as Infinite Wisdom sees good; and who can desire them further? Mat 6:33.
2.It is likewise promised that the grace of God should establish them a holy people, Deu 28:9. Having taken them into covenant with himself, he would keep them in covenant; and, provided they used the means of stedfastness, he would give them the grace of steadfastness, that they should not depart from him. Note, Those that are sincere in holiness God will establish in holiness; and he is of power to do it, Rom 16:25. He that is holy shall be holy still; and those whom God establishes in holiness he thereby establishes a people to himself, for a long as we keep close to God he will never forsake us. This establishment of their religion would be the establishment of their reputation (Deu 28:10): All the people of the earth shall see, and own, that thou art called by the name of the Lord, that is, "that thou art a most excellent and glorious people, under the particular care and countenance of the great God. They shall be made to know that a people called by the name Jehovah are without doubt the happiest people under the sun, even their enemies themselves being judges." The favourites of Heaven are truly great, and, first or last, it will be made to appear that they are so, if not in this world, yet at that day when those who confess Christ now shall be confessed by him before men and angels, as those whom he delights to honour.
[Daniel 9:11] "'And (the curse) has come upon us drop by drop.'" That is, Thou hast not poured out upon us all of Thy wrath, for we should not have been able to bear it, but Thou hast poured forth a mere droplet of Thy fury, in order that we might return unto Thee once we have been immeshed in Thy snare.
"'The malediction and the curse which were written in the book of Moses, the servant of God...'" In Deuteronomy we read the curses and blessings of the Lord (Deuteronomy 27:11-28:14), which were afterwards uttered in Mount Gerizim and Ebal upon the righteous and upon the sinners.
All these blessings: In the Old Testament, God promised temporal blessings to the keepers of his law, heaven not being opened as yet; and that gross and sensual people being more moved with present and sensible things. But in the New Testament the goods that are promised us are spiritual and eternal; and temporal evils are turned into blessings.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:2 serves as a foundational declaration within the Mosaic Covenant, articulating the profound principle that divine favor, comprehensive prosperity, and abundant well-being are directly contingent upon Israel's diligent and obedient responsiveness to the revealed will of the LORD their God. This verse dynamically portrays these promised blessings not merely as passive entitlements but as active, pursuing realities that will inevitably and abundantly encompass, surround, and overtake those who faithfully align their lives with God's commands. It thus establishes a critical covenantal framework where human faithfulness is intrinsically linked to the experience of God's overflowing provision, protection, and blessing.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:2 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with impactful clarity. Personification is strikingly evident in the phrase "and overtake thee," where the abstract concept of "blessings" is imbued with the active, dynamic quality of pursuing and catching up to the recipient. This vivid imagery transforms blessings from passive gifts into zealous, almost sentient entities that actively seek out the obedient. The entire verse functions as a quintessential Conditional Clause, clearly outlining the "if-then" structure that underpins the Mosaic Covenant, where the "if" (diligent hearkening to God's voice) directly determines the "then" (the comprehensive reception of blessings). This highlights the reciprocal and dependent nature of the covenant relationship. Furthermore, the cumulative effect of "all these blessings" combined with the imagery of them "overtaking" the recipient can be seen as a form of Hyperbole or Emphasis, exaggerating the extent and abundance of the blessings. This rhetorical flourish aims to impress upon the audience the overwhelming generosity and comprehensive scope of God's favor when His people walk in obedience, serving as a powerful motivator and assurance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:2 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the principle of conditional blessing within the Mosaic Covenant, emphasizing that a vibrant and flourishing relationship with God is characterized by responsive obedience to His revealed will. This verse establishes a direct causal link between Israel's attentive "hearkening" to the LORD's voice and the comprehensive, overflowing experience of His favor. It highlights God's desire to bless His people abundantly, not arbitrarily, but within the framework of a covenant relationship where human responsibility plays a vital role. This principle resonates throughout the Old Testament, demonstrating that while God is sovereign and gracious, He often chooses to work through the obedience of His people, pouring out His goodness in response to their faithfulness. It underscores the importance of a listening heart and a willing spirit in experiencing the fullness of God's provision.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:2, while rooted in the specific historical and covenantal context of ancient Israel, offers timeless and profound principles for believers today. It powerfully reminds us that our spiritual flourishing, our experience of God's peace, and our access to His abundant grace are deeply connected to our attentiveness and obedience to His Word. "Hearkening to the voice of the LORD" is not merely passive listening but an active, intentional posture of the heart that seeks to understand, internalize, and align with God's will as revealed in Scripture and through the Holy Spirit. When we diligently pursue Christ, immerse ourselves in His teachings, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives, we position ourselves to experience the multifaceted blessings that God desires to pour out. These blessings, though not always material prosperity in the New Covenant, will "overtake" us in the form of deep joy, inner peace, spiritual growth, divine wisdom, resilient faith, and the transformative presence of God in our lives, often in ways that exceed our expectations and human understanding. Our obedience, motivated by love for God and gratitude for His grace, opens us up to the rich, spiritual, and often temporal, blessings of His kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse imply that if I obey God, I will always be financially prosperous and healthy, and if I suffer, it's due to disobedience?
Answer: While Deuteronomy 28:2 and the surrounding verses promise significant material and physical blessings for obedience under the Mosaic Covenant, it is crucial to interpret this through a New Covenant lens, avoiding a simplistic prosperity gospel. For ancient Israel, obedience to the covenant directly impacted their national well-being, agricultural success, and protection from enemies in the Promised Land, serving as a tangible demonstration of God's covenant faithfulness. In the New Covenant, while God certainly blesses obedience, the nature of these blessings is primarily spiritual and eternal, though they can also include temporal provisions. The New Testament emphasizes that believers receive "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" Ephesians 1:3, such as salvation, peace with God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, adoption into His family, and spiritual growth. Perfect obedience is impossible for humans, and our ultimate blessing (salvation and eternal life) comes through faith in Christ's perfect obedience, not our own Romans 5:19. While a life of obedience generally leads to greater peace, wisdom, and flourishing, it does not guarantee exemption from suffering or material hardship in this fallen world, as Jesus Himself warned His disciples John 16:33. Suffering can be a means of spiritual refinement and a pathway to deeper intimacy with God, rather than always a sign of disobedience Romans 5:3-5.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:2, with its emphasis on conditional blessings flowing from obedience to the voice of the LORD, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, the blessings promised were contingent upon Israel's ability to perfectly "hearken unto the voice of the LORD," a standard they consistently failed to meet due to humanity's inherent sinfulness Romans 3:23. Consequently, the curses were often experienced more profoundly than the blessings. Jesus, however, is the only one who perfectly fulfilled the Law, perfectly "hearkening unto the voice of the LORD" in every aspect of His life, even to the point of obedient death on the cross Philippians 2:8. Through His perfect obedience, He became the mediator of a New Covenant, a covenant "established on better promises" Hebrews 8:6. In Christ, believers receive "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" Ephesians 1:3, not based on their own flawed obedience, but on His perfect righteousness imputed to them through faith Romans 4:5. The blessings that "overtake" us now are the forgiveness of sins, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, adoption into God's family, peace with God, and the promise of eternal life, all freely given in Christ, the one who fully satisfied the righteous demands of the Law and ushered in an era of grace where God's favor is poured out through His beloved Son.