Deuteronomy 29:18 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit,
Deuteronomy 29:19 one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.
Deuteronomy 29:20 The LORD will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book will settle upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.
Before I go off on this verse, it is critical to set the stage for such a harsh set of verses.
This particular passage is found in a chapter of Deuteronomy that describes the judgements upon the man who breaks the covenant the nation entered into at Sinai. As believers in the Messiah, we know that the Messiah rescued us from the curse of the law, and that obedience, absolute perfect obedience was required under the Old Covenant.
Galatians 3:12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us–for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”–
This truth came home to me in a Sunday School discussion recently, when it seemed that the lesson was blurring the distinction between promise and law. Some in the class seemed to imply the curses may still be applied to the New Testament saint, effectively removing the salvation Jesus provided to each of us.
It is critical for each of us as believers in the Messiah to understand that we who are of Jesus are of the promise and not of the law.
So then what of the law? Very much, for the law can and does speak to us in this age of promise. As a quick review, Paul speaks of the benefits of understanding the Old Testament in many New Testament passages, teaching on multiple topics using the Law as a basis of his teaching.
For example…
A woman’s restriction in church meetings
1 Corinthians 14:34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.
An apostles right to support
1 Corinthians 9:8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?
1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
The reason for the gift of tongues
1 Corinthians 14:21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”
A standard of judgment
Romans 2:12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
The relationship of the law in Christian faith
Rom 3:31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
I could continue, but just realized I am writing an introduction to the topic verses and not an independent study on the law’s relationship to the one under promise.
I do get distracted don’t I?
Back to Deuteronomy.
The passage that I would like to draw your attention to is the reference to the man’s heart in this passage. We often think of the law as a means to produce works of compliance, a set of standards that are to be met by good works, proper conduct and righteous behavior. All outwardly seen.
Yet the Lord addresses the root of the matter, even in the covenant of works. It is the heart that initially turns away, and in the turning, lies to itself. Notice the deceitfulness of our hearts, even under the covenant of works, that the man that begins to turn away, (in his heart) argues with the truth, and convinces his heart that his actions, his works that do not comply with the covenant, will not cause a danger.
His heart will bless him in his disobedience.
How fearful of a text, not only for the one under a covenant of works, but more so for us who reside under a covenant of promise, a covenant that has been written with the blood of the Messiah.
My friends, this passage reminds me of a warning passage in Hebrews, comparing the covenant of works with the covenant of promise.
Hebrews 2
1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Note that the apostle spoke of neglect, not rejection of the salvation provided. As the man in Deuteronomy neglected and turned away, even convincing himself of his safety, a corollary may be seen in our lives, even today, as the apostle warns.
Let us “pay much closer attention”, continually seeking to listen to the One who saves, to hear from the One who guides and gives comfort and to thank and praise the One who has provided such a great salvation!
Let our hearts always lean into Him, and as we may find a coldness creep into our heart, ask Him for His heart.
Look to Him. He is good. Let us be thankful!
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