What does
Deuteronomy 28 have to do with the New Covenant, non-Jewish believer if
anything? We hear and read all the time about being blessed in the city and in
the field. We hear and read about being the head and not the tail; above and
not beneath. We sing about it, confess it in daily confessions, and hear
teachings and sermons about it. What one must honestly see is that the
blessings are predicated upon covenant faithfulness and were given as promises
to national Israel under the old covenant. Don’t become discouraged and stop
reading. This prophetic word has a very happy ending, but first we must be real
and we must deal faithfully with the text. So then Deu 28:1-14 explain the
benefits and blessings for covenant obedience and faithfulness and Deu 28:15-45
(almost twice as many verses) explain the consequences and curses of covenant
disobedience and unfaithfulness. Don’t look funny; it is in the book that way!
Also, do not lose heart and stop reading. This is not the end of this matter.
I want the
full effects of the blessings, how about you? I want the blessings, and not the
curses how about you? I want to be included in the promises how about you? Of
course you have no doubt answered yes to all of the above. I would also.
So let’s
stop a minute and look at the old and new covenants. My first prophetic word of
the day is STOP being old covenant prophets! I can assure you that it will get
you nowhere. Yes some have the audacity to claim in new covenant congregations
that the way to get the blessings is by obedience to the law. Here is the great
problem that the church (remember my definition; the true believers in Christ across all
denominations and groups) face. Too many people are trying to be Old Covenant
prophets, apostles and pastors in the New Covenant. Too many are operating in
an Old Covenant way.
Prophetic
word two: You cannot get New Covenant blessings with Old Covenant methods!!!
So then,
how do these blessings operate in the New Covenant setting? The answer is
simple and is the content of the gospel. It is IN Christ Jesus and no other
way. Furthermore, it is by faith. (without faith it is impossible to please the
Father.) Jesus is the Seed of Abraham, Jesus was covenant faithful. Jesus
fulfilled all the requirements. Jesus alone receives the blessings. In Jesus
the promises of God are not yes and no as seen in Deu 28. In Jesus the promises
are yes and amen! In Jesus there are no curses.
Look at
this passage. It could not be made more plain and understandable: Gal 3:11-16 “But that no man is justified by the law in
the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12)
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in
them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the
law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one
that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on
the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the
Spirit through faith. (15) Brethren, I speak after the manner of men;
Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man
disannulleth, or addeth thereto. (16) Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises
made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed,
which is Christ.”
Christ has
redeemed us from the curses of the law. Deu 28:15-45 does not apply! we must
believe this by faith! According to Paul, we believers are the Seed of Abraham
in Christ Jesus…. Gal 3:29 “And if ye be
Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” This
ALONE is the way that we are benefactors of the promises of Deu 28. … More
tomorrow!
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