Deuteronomy 28:28

It is striking that the section holding the curses is more than three times as long as the section holding the blessings. That one has fifteen verses; this one has fifty-three. The whole chapter is a striking commentary on the government of God. It shows in force that "our God is a consuming fire." All the nations of the earth may learn from Israel's remarkable history that God must punish disobedience. And He punishes it first of all in His own people. And if He has not spared His own people, what will be the end of those who do not know Him?

Breaking the law as a principle of relationship with God has its own consequences. They concern righteousness — whether there is an adequate ground for God's acceptance. Do not confuse those with the temporary consequences of disobedience under the government of God. Chapter 28 refers to these last.

The Lord Himself would also strike them with boils, tumours, scabs and itching that they would find no way of relieving (v.27). To this He would add mental derangement, blindness and confusion of heart (v.28). Even in broad daylight they would grope about, trying to find their way. Oppressors and robbers would take advantage of them, and no one would step in for them (v.29).

Worldly men ignore the clearest and most sensible ways to serve their own interests. Religious men wander from the simplest instructions of the truth. Nothing should surprise us. There is no folly, no unbelievable blindness of mind, that the deluded heart of man will not show. But God never sends this madness on a man until he has justly laid himself open to judgment. All the cases show this. Pharaoh, for instance, had forgotten Joseph in the deepest ingratitude. The Amorites of Canaan had filled up the measure of their sins.

They all needed the same grace of the divine physician. They did not know it. So, instead of knowing and confessing that "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint," they made sin an occasion for judging and comparing among themselves. It was useless, and deadly to them. The curse on disobedience (Deut. 28:28) had now struck them with madness, blindness and confusion of heart. Every city and village of theirs saw it as Jehovah their healer passed through, and they did not know it.

This is one of the most solemn chapters in the Pentateuch. Orthodox Jews read through all five books of Moses in their synagogues each year. When they read this chapter, the Rabbi reads in a subdued voice. They do well to read it quietly and think it over. This chapter records in advance the sad and sorrowful history of that remarkable nation.

In Deuteronomy 30 Moses says more. One day Israel will repent among the nations where they have been driven. They will return to Jehovah their God and obey His voice. Then He will bring them back from captivity. In His compassion He will gather them and bring them into the land. There He will bless them and multiply them. And He will put all the curses on their enemies and persecutors.