1 “You shall therefore love the Lord your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always.”
2 And consider today (since I am not speaking to your children who have not known or seen it), consider the discipline of the Lord your God, his greatness, his mighty hand and his outstretched arm,
3 his signs and his deeds that he did in Egypt to Pharaoh the king of Egypt and to all his land,
4 and what he did to the army of Egypt, to their horses and to their chariots, how he made the water of the Red Sea flow over them as they pursued after you, and how the Lord has destroyed them to this day,
5 and what he did to you in the wilderness, until you came to this place,
6 and what he did to Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, son of Reuben, how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households, their tents, and every living thing that followed them, in the midst of all Israel.
7 but your own eyes have seen all the great work of the Lord that he did.
8 “You shall therefore keep the whole commandment that I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land that you are going over to possess,
9 and that you may live long in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give to them and to their offspring, a land flowing with milk and honey.
10 For the land that you are entering to take possession of it is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated it, like a garden of vegetables.
11 But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven,
12 a land that the Lord your God cares for. The eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
13 “And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,”
14 that I will give you the rain of your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil.
15 And I will provide grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full.
16 Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them;
17 then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the Lord is giving you.
18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”
19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
21 that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.
22 For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him,
23 then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.
24 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours.
25 No one shall be able to stand against you.
26 “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:
27 a blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today,
28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.
29 And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, you shall set the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal.
30 Are they not beyond the Jordan, west of the road, toward the going down of the sun, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah, opposite Gilgal, beside the oak of Moreh?
31 For you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you. And when you possess it and live in it,
32 And you shall be careful to do all the statutes and the rules that I am setting before you today.
The True Meaning of Deuteronomy 11
The book of Deuteronomy was written by Moses, the great prophet and leader of the Israelites. Moses stood on the edge of the Promised Land and imparted his final words of wisdom and instruction to the people, preparing them for the challenges that lay ahead. Moses reminds the Israelites of the blessings they have received from God and the importance of obedience to His commands in this chapter. He emphasizes the need to love and serve the Lord wholeheartedly, and to teach their children the ways of the Lord. The chapter also foreshadows the consequences of disobedience, as Moses warns the people of the curses that will come upon them if they turn away from God.
Throughout this passage, Moses draws upon the rich history of the Israelites, recalling their deliverance from Egypt and the miracles they witnessed in the wilderness (Exodus 14:21-31, Numbers 16:31-35). He encourages the people to remember God’s faithfulness and to trust in His promises, even as they face the daunting task of conquering the land of Canaan (Joshua 1:1-9).
Deuteronomy 11:1-7
Deuteronomy 11:1-7 reads, “Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. The discipline of the Lord your God: his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm; the signs he performed and the things he did in the heart of Egypt, both to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his whole country; what he did to the Egyptian army, to its horses and chariots, how he overwhelmed them with the waters of the Red Sea as they were pursuing you, and how the Lord brought lasting ruin on them were not seen and experienced by your children. It was not your children who saw what he did for you in the wilderness until you arrived at this place, and what he did to Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its mouth right in the middle of all Israel and swallowed them up with their households, their tents and every living thing that belonged to them. But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done. Moses encourages the Israelites to love and obey the Lord wholeheartedly in the first section of these verses. This call to love God emphasizes the importance of a true, devoted relationship with Him. The call to keep God’s requirements, decrees, laws, and commands reflects the need for obedience to God’s will. The Israelites were showing their commitment to God and recognizing His authority over them by adhering to these.
The following verses serve as a reminder to the Israelites of the incredible deeds and miracles of God that they had witnessed firsthand. The reference to God’s discipline, majesty, mighty hand, and outstretched arm harkens back to the plagues of Egypt, particularly the final plague which led to the release of the Israelites from slavery. The mention of the Egyptian army being overwhelmed by the waters of the Red Sea highlights the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites and the destruction of their enemies. This powerful event not only showcased God’s power but also His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people.
Additionally, the reference to Dathan and Abiram recalls the rebellion of these men against Moses and Aaron’s authority, leading to their judgment by God as the earth opened up and swallowed them. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and rebellion against God’s chosen leaders. The Israelites were urged to remember these events as a testament to God’s justice and the importance of following His commands. These verses in Deuteronomy 11 serve as a poignant reminder of God’s faithfulness, power, and justice. They highlight the importance of loving God wholeheartedly, obeying His commands, and remembering His mighty deeds throughout history. The timeless message conveyed here underscores the need for believers to maintain a steadfast devotion to God, to obey His will, and to reflect on His past acts of deliverance and judgment. This reflection can serve to strengthen faith, inspire obedience, and deepen one’s relationship with the Almighty.
Deuteronomy 11:8-12
Moses addresses the Israelites in Deuteronomy 11:8-12, reminding them of the importance of following God’s commandments and the blessings that come with obedience. Let’s break down this verse into sections for a more comprehensive understanding.
Verse 8 starts with Moses emphasizing the need for the Israelites to keep God’s commandments diligently. This underlines the idea that obedience to God’s laws is not something to be taken lightly or done haphazardly. The word “therefore” in this verse indicates that obedience to God’s commands is a direct response to His goodness and faithfulness shown to the Israelites throughout their journey. This serves as a reminder that their obedience is not to earn God’s favor, but rather as a grateful and humble response to His grace.
Moving on to verse 9, Moses reiterates the crucial role of obedience in securing God’s blessings. He highlights the promise of long life and prosperity that the Israelites will experience in the land God is giving them, on the condition that they keep His commands. This theme of obedience leading to blessings is a recurring motif throughout the Bible. Individuals and nations were blessed when they followed God’s ways in the broader context of the biblical narrative, as seen in examples like the reign of King Solomon in 1 Kings 3:14 and the prosperity of the nation of Israel during the reign of King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 31:21.
Verse 10 describes the nature of the land the Israelites are entering – a land flowing with milk and honey. This imagery symbolizes abundance, fertility, and richness, all provided by God for His people. The mention of the land flowing with milk and honey is a poignant reminder of God’s provision and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises. Throughout the Old Testament, the land of Canaan is repeatedly portrayed as a sign of God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His covenant with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Verse 11 emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and careful to obey God’s commandments, so as not to forget the Lord. The risk of forgetting God was a recurring concern for the Israelites throughout their history, as seen in the cycles of disobedience, exile, and restoration chronicled in the books of Judges, 1 and 2 Kings, and Isaiah. Forgetting God’s commands often led to moral and spiritual decline, ultimately resulting in the separation from His blessings and protection. Deuteronomy 11:8-12 serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of obedience to God’s commands and the blessings that flow from it. The passage underscores the timeless truth that obedience is intricately linked to God’s provision, faithfulness, and presence in the lives of His people. It also highlights the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and staying committed to living according to His Word, as a means of experiencing His abundant blessings.
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
The verses in Deuteronomy 11:13-17 discuss the conditions for God’s blessings upon the land that the Israelites are inheriting. Let’s break down these verses into key sections for a more detailed analysis.
- “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil.”
These verses emphasize the importance of wholeheartedly loving and serving God. The command to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul is a central theme throughout the Bible, reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 22:37). This command encapsulates the essence of the relationship that God desires with His people – a deep, personal, and devoted connection.
The promise of rain in its season signifies God’s provision and blessing upon the land of the Israelites. Rain was essential for a bountiful harvest in the agricultural society of ancient Israel. The Israelites were promised not only physical blessings such as abundant crops but also the spiritual blessing of being in alignment with God’s will by obeying God’s commands.
- “I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.”
God’s promise extends beyond the needs of the people to include the well-being of their livestock. This demonstrates God’s care for all aspects of our lives, both big and small. The provision of grass for the cattle speaks to God’s holistic concern for His creation. It reminds us of God’s wider plan for all living beings, not just humans.
- “Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you.”
These verses serve as a warning against idolatry and the consequences of turning away from God. Idolatry was a persistent temptation for the Israelites throughout their history. God’s anger burning against them and withholding rain and produce symbolize the spiritual barrenness and deprivation that result from disobedience and turning to false gods.
This warning reflects a recurring pattern in the Bible where the Israelites fall into idolatry, face the consequences of God’s judgment, and then repent and return to God. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and loyalty to God as the cornerstone of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Deuteronomy 11:13-17 conveys timeless messages about the significance of wholehearted devotion to God, the assurance of His provision, the need for obedience to avoid spiritual pitfalls, and the warning against idolatry. These verses highlight the interconnectedness of obedience, blessings, and the consequences of straying from God’s path in the journey of faith.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
Moses instructs the Israelites to “fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds” in Deuteronomy 11:18-21.” This is a powerful call to remember and internalize God’s commandments. It emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the word of God but also truly embracing and living by it. The concept of fixing these words in their hearts and minds suggests a deep and unwavering commitment to following God’s teachings. This verse reminds the Israelites then, and us now, of the need to constantly immerse ourselves in God’s Word to remain steadfast in our faith and obedience.
Moses goes on to explain that the Israelites should “teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Here, the emphasis is on the passing down of faith from one generation to the next. This demonstrates the importance of actively teaching and modeling God’s commands to the younger members of the community. The Israelites were to ensure that the next generation would grow up with a strong foundation in their faith by incorporating discussions about God’s word into everyday life, whether at home or on the go.
The verse continues by stating, “Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” This instruction underscores the need for constant reminders of God’s commandments in their daily lives. The Israelites would be reminded of their commitment to God each time they entered or left their homes by inscribing these words on their doorframes and gates. This physical act of displaying God’s commands served as a visual reminder of their covenant with Him and their need to live according to His will.
The passage concludes with a promise from God that if the Israelites obey His commands and remain faithful, they will “live long in the land the Lord swore to your ancestors.” This promise of prosperity and longevity in the Promised Land is contingent upon their obedience and adherence to God’s statutes. It serves as a reminder that God’s blessings are tied to obedience and faithfulness. This verse highlights the interconnectedness of obedience, faith, and blessings in the life of believers. Moses’ final instructions to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land are part of the broader context of the book of Deuteronomy. They encapsulate the importance of obedience, faithfulness, and passing down God’s commandments to future generations. This emphasis on remembering and living by God’s word is a central theme throughout the Bible, as seen in verses like Psalm 119:11, which states, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” This verse echoes the sentiment of fixing God’s words in our hearts, highlighting the transformative power of internalizing and living by His commands.
Deuteronomy 11:22-25
Several key sections in Deuteronomy 11:22-25 can be identified that are significant in understanding the message of this passage.
- “If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow–to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him and to hold fast to him– ”
This verse emphasizes the importance of obedience and love towards God in the life of believers. It calls for a wholehearted commitment to God’s commandments. The Israelites are reminded of their covenant relationship with God and the blessings that come from walking in His ways by following God’s commands with love and obedience. This verse sets the foundation for the subsequent verses, stressing the need for the people of Israel to remain faithful to God.
- “then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you. Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea.”
Here, the promise of God’s provision and protection for the Israelites is reiterated. The Israelites are reminded that as they remain obedient and faithful to God, He will go before them and give them victory over their enemies. The description of the vast territory that will be under their possession serves as a tangible illustration of God’s power and faithfulness to His people. This reaffirms the covenant promise God made to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan.
- “No one will be able to stand against you. The Lord your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go. The verse emphasizes the assurance of God’s presence and protection once again. The Israelites are reminded that victory in battle is not dependent on their own strength or abilities, but on God’s promise to be with them. The fear and dread that will come upon their enemies serve as a reminder of the supernatural intervention of God on behalf of His people. This verse highlights the importance of trusting in God’s promises and relying on His strength in times of difficulty and struggles. Deuteronomy 11:22-25 emphasizes the interconnectedness of obedience, love for God, and His provision and protection for His people. It underscores the importance of faithfulness to God’s commands and the assurance that comes from walking in His ways. This passage serves as a reminder of the enduring faithfulness of God towards those who choose to follow Him wholeheartedly. It also echoes similar themes found throughout the Bible, such as in Joshua 1:9, where God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, knowing that He will be with him wherever he goes.
Deuteronomy 11:26-32
The Lord commands the Israelites through Moses to make a choice between blessing and curse in Deuteronomy 11:26-32. This passage begins with a clear instruction: “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” It sets the stage for a dichotomy that runs throughout the Bible – the concept of choices and consequences. The Israelites, like all of humanity, are given the freedom to choose between following God’s ways and facing the blessings that come with obedience, or turning away from Him and suffering the consequences.
The text goes on to explain the conditions for receiving blessings on the one hand, and the possibility of curses on the other. The blessings are promised if the Israelites obey the commandments of the Lord, walking in His ways, and holding fast to Him. This reaffirms the importance of obedience and faithfulness in the relationship between God and His people. If they turn aside from the commandments, worship other gods, or follow after them, the curses would come upon them.
Moses emphasizes the significance of the choice before them by instructing the Israelites to proclaim these blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal once they have crossed the Jordan River. This symbolic act serves as a public declaration of their commitment to God’s covenant. Mount Gerizim would represent the blessings, while Mount Ebal would symbolize the curses, reinforcing the visual nature of the consequences of their choices.
This passage not only serves as a warning to the Israelites about the importance of obedience to God, but it also carries a timeless message for all believers. The theme of choice and consequence is woven throughout the Bible, showcasing the fundamental principle of reaping what one sows. Proverbs 3:6 echoes this sentiment, advising believers to “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Deuteronomy 11:26-32 ultimately underscores the importance of actively choosing to walk in God’s ways and the enduring nature of consequences, both in the Old Testament and beyond.
After Deuteronomy 11
The people had heard the Lord’s commands and were ready to enter the promised land. But the Lord warned them that they must remain faithful, for if they turned away and worshipped other gods, they would face severe consequences. The Lord made it clear that their future prosperity depended on their obedience. The reverend knew that the people must heed this final warning as they prepared to cross the Jordan, for the road ahead would not be easy. The true test of their faith was about to begin.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.