Deuteronomy 28:7

In Deuteronomy 28 we have the principles of God's government among that people, and the immediate consequences of obedience or disobedience — consequences so solemnly fulfilled in the fate of that unhappy people, still loved for the sake of their fathers. Breaking the law brings one set of consequences when the law is treated as the basis of relationship with God, where the question is a righteousness good enough for God to accept us. We must not confuse those with the temporary results of disobedience under God's government. Chapter 28 is about these temporary results.

"And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." That call to listen is the grand old motto of Deuteronomy, the keynote of the book. Obeying His voice is the only safeguard, the true secret of happiness, security, victory and strength.

With God's blessing on them they would have no difficulty in defeating their enemies. The enemies would come as one united front, looking far too strong for Israel. Yet God would scatter them, so that they retreated in seven different directions, in confusion (v.7). Satan also puts on a show of unity in his opposition to the truth. But he is a master of scheming and lies, and that leaves him helpless to achieve real unity. Falsehood is confusion. A simple stand for truth will throw his evil efforts back into the confusion men think they can overcome.

The Lord would also hand them over to humiliating defeat before their enemies (v.25). They would "go out one way," that is, in apparent unity, but would "flee seven ways," in total defeat and disarray.

God has pledged Himself, by an oath, to bless the descendants of Abraham His friend — to bless them with all earthly blessings, in the land of Canaan. This promise still stands, and nothing can ever take it away… We must always remember that Israel's blessings are earthly; the church's blessings are heavenly. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."

In Deuteronomy 28 we have the blessings promised to Israel if they obeyed. They failed completely in obedience, as we know, and so forfeited all those blessings. But, as we have seen so fully in Scripture, they are to be brought back. Grace will restore them to all the blessings they lost, and the righteous rule of the Lord Jesus Christ will keep them in the enjoyment of those blessings.

This point has great practical value where it stands here, that is, as a result of obedience. Nothing gives the soul such marvellous power over enemies as an obedient, holy walk… But how often it happens that, instead of having all these enemies under our feet, we are under their feet. This brings deep dishonour to our Lord, and sorrow and weakness to our own souls. And why? Because we do not walk in simple obedience.