Blessings Restored

Moses:  ² “If at that time you and your children return to the LORD your God, and if you obey with all your heart and all your soul all the commands I have given you today, ³ then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes. He will have mercy (compassion) on you and gather you back from all the nations where He has scattered you…. ⁶ The LORD your God will change (circumcise) your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love Him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!... ⁹ The LORD your God will then make you successful (abundantly prosperous) in everything you do. He will give you many children and numerous livestock, and He will cause your fields to produce abundant harvests, for the LORD will again delight in being good to you as He was to your ancestors. ¹⁰ The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey His voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul….

¹⁵ Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity (good life) and disaster (death). ¹⁶ For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep His commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in His ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. ¹⁷ But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, ¹⁸ then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed (eternal death, depression, destruction). You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.

¹⁹ Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! ²⁰ You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly (cleave, cling, hold on) to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”  Deuteronomy 30:2-3, 6, 9-10, 15-20 (NLT)

In Deuteronomy 30, Moses ends his farewell address he began to Israel starting in Deuteronomy 1 on the borders of God’s Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 1:1-5). Moses once again strongly instructed the people to LOVE the living LORD God and OBEY the living God’s moral commandments (see Deuteronomy 30:2-3, 6, 8, 10-11, 16). In fact, Moses repeatedly taught Israel throughout Deuteronomy (also known as “Second Law”) to love and obey the living God and His moral commandments from your whole heart, mind, and soul (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:29; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 20; see also, Matthew 22:37; John 14:15; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12). Moses knew that our wholehearted love and obedience to the living God and His righteous ways lead to God’s blessings, restoration, and good life (Deuteronomy 30:3, 6, 9, 15-16, 20; see also Deuteronomy 5:33; Deuteronomy 6:2, 18; Deuteronomy 12:28). God is life and blessedness (Deuteronomy 30:20; see also Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 8:3; Job 12:10; John 5:26; Acts 17:25, 28).

The connection is obvious: if you turn from your sins and rebellion to wholehearted love and obedience to God and His moral commandments, you will find and enjoy life (Deuteronomy 30:15-16; see also; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Even more, when you love and obey the living God and His righteous commands, not only do you receive God’s abundant blessings, but you also receive His Presence as the living God comes and lives with you (e.g., see Leviticus 26:1-3, 11-12; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Jeremiah 7:23; Jeremiah 11:4; Jeremiah 24:7; John 14:15-17, 21, 23-24; 2 Corinthians 6:16). Throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, God’s abundant blessings and Presence (Holy Spirit) are all linked to love and obedience to the living God and His righteous ways (e.g., John 15:10; Galatians 6:7-10; James 1:22-25; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 5:2-3). In other words, there is a Spiritual union with the living God when you love and follow His good ways (e.g., see John 17:21).

The living LORD God wants to do good for you and your family and not evil (Deuteronomy 30:5, 9; see also Deuteronomy 6:3, 18, 24). Besides, everyone who seeks the living God and does what is right and good are children of LORD God, while those who seek wickedness, evil, and sin prove they are far away from God (e.g., see Hebrews 13:16; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:6-10; 3 John 1:11). However, Moses taught the people that if your heart turns away from serving the living God and His righteous ways and are drawn to worship other gods, your life will lead to death and destruction (Deuteronomy 30:17-18; e.g., see also Exodus 20:3-4; Leviticus 26:1-3, 14-39; Deuteronomy 28:15-29:28). Those who reject and disobey the living LORD God bring punishment and wrath upon themselves (e.g., see Deuteronomy 29:19-20).

Amazingly, Moses looked down through the human history and predicted Israel would turn away from wholeheartedly loving the LORD God (idolatry) and obeying His moral commandments (rebellion) (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:25-28; Deuteronomy 28:45-46; Deuteronomy 29:18-29). Such verses as Deuteronomy 28:25, 32-33, 36, 38,41-42, and 53 predict historical facts now recorded in Jewish history, both sacred and secular. Deuteronomy 28:62 foretells how not only the Jewish people but all people receive God’s wrath and scattering because of their reckless indulgence of evil, idolatry, and rebellion against God and His moral commandments – His Voice (e.g., see Deuteronomy 29:18-19, 28; Ezekiel 3:20-21; Ezekiel 18:24-26 Galatians 6:8; Revelation 22:14-15). The commandments of God is the Voice of God, and He expects everyone to obey His Voice (commandments).

The living God brought the punishment and curses of Deuteronomy 28 and 29 as well as Leviticus 26 in 722-721 BC and 586 BC when He allowed the Assyrian and Babylonian armies to defeat, destroy, and scatter Israel (Jews) throughout the world because of their repeated idolatry, rebellion, and disobedience and the land finally enjoyed the Sabbath rest (Leviticus 26:33-35; Deuteronomy 28:49-52, 64-65; see also 2 Kings 17:5-23; 2 Kings 25:1-26). Moreover, the Roman emperor Hadrian and Titus oppressed and ravaged the Jewish people in the first century A.D. as predicted in Deuteronomy 28. Finally, the Jewish people suffered many of the curses and diseases during the Middle Ages as predicted in Deuteronomy 28. The living God was using His punishment and discipline of His people to lead to their restoration and repentance – turning from sin and turning God with love and obedience (e.g., see Hebrews 12:10-11).

Moses also rightly predicted Israel’s future salvation, restoration, and blessings when they wholeheartedly returned and sought the living God and obeyed His commands after their idolatry and rebellion (Deuteronomy 30:1-5; see also see Leviticus 26:40-45; Deuteronomy 4:29-30; Deuteronomy 11:26-28:  1 Kings 8:47-50; 2 Chronicles 15:4; Nehemiah 1:9; Isaiah 55:6-7; Joel 2:12-13). The living God abundantly blesses those who wholeheartedly seek and obey Him (e.g., see Deuteronomy 28:1-14; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Hebrews 11:6). If you seek the living God from your whole heart, you will find Him, find abundant life, and God’s goodness (Deuteronomy 30:9-10; see also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 29:13-14; Amos 5:4, 6, 14-15). Even more, the living LORD God is gracious, kind, loving, compassionate, and forever merciful to those who turn away from evil and sin and turn to Him in faithfulness and obedience (Deuteronomy 30:3; see also e.g., Deuteronomy 4:31; Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:17-18; Psalm 145:8-9; Nahum 1:3; James 5:11).

Still more amazing, Moses looked down through the ages and predicted the coming of the Holy Spirit of God to change and circumcise the people’s hearts (Deuteronomy 30:6; see also Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4). In reality, the heart is the very source of all your sins because God had to give Israel the will and power to love and obey Him. Moses predicted that when the people REPENTED and TURNED from their rebellion to the living God and His moral commandments, the living LORD God would perform a spiritual “operation” and circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants to love and obey Him with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul (Deuteronomy 30:6; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6). In other words, Moses predicted the coming of God’s Holy Spirit to give God’s people new Spiritual life – a new heart, soul, and mind! Just as physical circumcision identified one as belonging to the Abrahamic covenant, spiritual circumcision would be the seal of membership into God’s family – the new Israel (see Genesis 17:13-14; Romans 2:28-29; Ephesians 1:13). When you repent (turn from evil and turn to God), the living God by His Holy Spirit performs a spiritual operation that bring you a new heart, new soul, and a new life (e.g., see Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 24:6-7; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:39-40; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26-29; Joel 2:12-13; John 3:3-8). In other words, God will come live inside you with the Helper – the Holy Spirit – to help you love and obey His righteous ways – inward spiritual renewal (see John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7; Acts 2:38-40)!

Moses made clear that finding new and true life is NOT a difficult decision, too far off, placed in the heavens, nor beyond the sea (see Deuteronomy 30:11-14). Amazingly, the Apostle Paul of the New Testament agreed with Moses’ teaching from Deuteronomy 30 (e.g., see Romans 10:6-10). Both Moses and the Apostle Paul agree that no one must go up to heaven or across the sea to another country, because the living God freely gives everyone life by choosing Him! Incredibly, the Lord Jesus Christ taught the same message of Moses and the Apostle Paul: repent of your sins, love His Father the living LORD God with all your heart (faith), and obey God’s moral commandments (Deuteronomy 30:15-16; see also e.g., Genesis 15:6; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37; John 14:15). Repentance, love, and obedience to GOD BRINGS LIFE, restoration, and blessings (see Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 20). Through our love and obedience to the living God, we live, move, and have our being (see Acts 17:28). Life depends on your absolute allegiance to God!

Some people will argue and say, “I only worship and accept God but not Jesus!” The Holy Scriptures declare that the Lord Jesus Christ is God (e.g., see John 1:1-5, 14, 16, 18; John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Hebrews 1:1-3). In the Lord Jesus Christ is the fullness of God (e.g., see Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9-10). The Lord Jesus Christ is One with His Father, the living LORD God (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4; John 10:30; John 14:9-10; John 17:11, 21-23). Moreover, the Lord Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God, and the Lord Jesus Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen living LORD God, His Father (e.g., see 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:3). Finding restoration, blessings, and life also means fully accepting, believing, and worshipping the living LORD God’s only begotten Son, Jesus the Messiah (e.g., Mark 1:1; John 8:24; John 11:25; John 14:6; John 20:30-31). Just as the living LORD God has life, God’s Son also has and gives life to those who love and obey Him (e.g., see John 1:4; John 5:26; John 6:57; Acts 3:15; 1 John 5:11, 20; Revelation 1:18).

The Holy Scriptures teaches that you must believe and obey BOTH the living LORD God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to have life (e.g., see John 11:25; John 12:44-45; John 14:1, 6, 15; 1 John 3:24). Life comes when you love and accept the only true God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, who He sent to earth (e.g., see John 3:15-16, 36; John 6:40, 47; John 17:3, 8, 21, 23; 1 John 5:12-13, 20). The Lord Jesus Christ lives in His Father the living LORD God, and the living LORD God lives in His Son as One (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; John 14:7, 9-11; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4). The living LORD God of heaven and earth graciously sent His only begotten Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world (e.g., see Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:10-11; John 1:29; John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:14; Romans 10:9). Everyone who believes and accepts Jesus as the Son of the living LORD God has the true God living in them, and they live in God (e.g., see 1 John 2:23; 1 John 4:15).

After Moses’ farewell address, he turned the people of Israel over to Joshua to lead God’s people into His Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Deuteronomy 34:9). Then, Moses blessed the people (see Deuteronomy 33), and then the living God buried Moses’ body in an undisclosed location (see Deuteronomy 34:5-8). 

Some biblical scholars see Deuteronomy 30 as a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ’s second coming at the end of the age. The Holy Scriptures predict the future restoration, blessings, and regathering of Israel as a nation (Deuteronomy 30:1-10; see also, e.g., Jeremiah 29:14; Jeremiah 32:37; Ezekiel 34:13; Ezekiel 36:24). Moreover, some biblical scholars see Deuteronomy 30 as the restoration Israel and their land of Palestine (see Deuteronomy 30:5, 9; Amos 9:11-15); a work of grace in the people’s hearts (see Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 31:31-34); and judgment of Israel’s enemies (see Deuteronomy 30:7). It is important to note that Israel has never taken the land under the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant, nor has Israel possessed the whole land (e.g., see Genesis 15:18).

References

Amplified Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – Old Testament (Victor Books, 1989).