Deuteronomy 28 Commentary
Chapter 28 goes together with Chapter 27. Having declared the curses for disobedience in Chapter 27, the pages would now declare blessings for obedience.
As an isolated work, Chapter 28 is a detailed revelation of Genesis 1 verse 28. The LORD’s special gift to humanity was the blessing of increase, fruitfulness (prosperity) and dominion.
Deuteronomy 28 is an expansion of that same blessing.
Study the chapter carefully and you will see how obedience results in increase (fruit of the womb), prosperity (economic boom), and dominion (you shall be the head and not the tail).
The fruitfulness of both the womb and the crop of the field are direct references to the blessing of increase and prosperity.
But where is the blessing of dominion? Israel never truly got her hands on this blessing as it only comes with the government of the Son. However, we have hints when the LORD God promises to elevate Israel above her enemies. But don’t think of political freedom!
As an expansion of Genesis 1, verse 28, this chapter keeps alive the triad blessing. It is the same blessing that the LORD restores fully in Revelation 22 – the last chapter of the Bible. And according to Revelation 22 verse 5, “they will reign for ever and ever”.
The man who was created to rule will once again have dominion.
After verse 14, we have a long list of curses. The graphics used are truly powerful. We can see for ourselves and relate to some of these misfortunes. Life without God can be truly rough.
Chapter 28 is famous for its blessings. They are sweet. But it’s the curses that are scary. Of the 68 verses in this chapter, only 14 verses talk about the blessings – representing about 21% of the total. The structure of the chapter tells the story of humanity.
Christianity is simple – represented by the first 14 verses. This is God’s will. But life under disobedience is very complex. Look at many verses that cover the curses! Look at the confusion! This chapter explains Genesis 3 in High Definition. After the fall, man has to get back to God. Then this confusion isn’t there. It speaks to us on the need to reflect on important items of life. Life without God is unsatisfying and very frustrating (verses 15 to 68).
The visuals are very powerful. Using graphics to explain biblical truths isn’t a modern invention. Running through these verses is like watching a PowerPoint presentation. In Genesis 3, man has to sweat for a living. Deuteronomy 28 gives us powerful graphics for this sad state of affairs.
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