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BLESSINGS OF THE GOOD LAND
LORD’S DAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Deuteronomy 11:1-17

Psalm 33:12-22

 

“Our soul waiteth for the LORD:

he is our help and our shield.”

 

BLESSINGS OF THE GOOD LAND
 
Israel was looking forward to settle in the land that God had promised them. They had great expectations. Moses told them what God had promised so that their physical life in that land would be comfortable. Though irrigation has in recent years become a means of watering fields, a large percentage of farmers are dependent on rain to produce crops in the fields and grass for domestic animals. This is natural and in many cases the farmers know the seasonal changes well, and plant their crops at the right time.
 
God promised to give Israel rain and fruitful land and also grass in the fields. Moses explained that their spiritual health went hand in hand with their physical welfare. He told Israel to keep their hearts and keep away from other gods.
 
Moses was ever cautious especially after Israel easily turned to false gods when he went to meet with God in Mt Sinai. All of them small and great were easily misled into idolatry. He warned them that the Lord’s wrath would be kindled against them and He would shut heaven and withhold the rain. The land would not yield any fruits, consequently famine would follow and the people would perish. In that ancient context, the people lived on subsistence farming. Import of food was minimal and few crops could be preserved for future use. There were no food-stores to buy food from. Israel’s only hope was God. Even today many unbelievers at least acknowledge that only the God in heaven can give rain. Drought is also seen as a curse.
 
The recurring factor in the text is the keeping of the commandments of the Lord. Moses was saying that despite all the things that they had seen and experienced, the key factor was that they obeyed God. This was going to determine their comfort in the Promised Land, or misery should they neglect to follow the Lord.
 
If we love God, we will keep His commandments.
 
THOUGHT: God is the Creator and the Ruler of the universe
PRAYER: “Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee” (Ps 33:22).

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