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Today’s reading from Deuteronomy 28–29 again outlines the blessings that come from obeying the covenant God made with Israel—and the curses that would follow if they broke it. This covenant is different from the one made with Abraham. While the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1–3) was unconditional—God would make Israel a great nation and bless all peoples through them no matter what—this Mosaic Covenant was conditional, blessings were based on Israel’s obedience.

Of course, we know the ultimate blessing promised through Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus. He gives everyone opportunity to receive Him. As He said in Matthew 24:14,

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

But here in Deuteronomy, the people were called to obey God without Jesus’s perfect sacrifice and without the subsequent Holy Spirit poured out to indwell those who believe. Moses knew there was something more—something missing—that God hadn’t given yet. In Deuteronomy 29:4 he wrote,

“But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.”

Without the Holy Spirit, the Israelites were destined to fall short of God’s standards. The Old Testament shows us the repeated pattern of failure apart from divine help—just like we see today when people try to “be good” apart from Christ. We too are destined to fall short without the indwelling Spirit of God.

One passage that especially caught my attention was in 29:19–20:

“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.’ … The Lord will not be willing to forgive him.”

That’s convicting. The Holy Spirit reminded me this morning that knowing about God is not the same as living in humble obedience before Him.

Yes, this covenant was made with Israel, not us. And yes, we live under the New Covenant with Jesus as our perfect sacrifice and the Holy Spirit empowering us. But we also know from Jesus’s parable of the Sower, the seeds and the good soil (Matthew 13) that not all seeds produce fruit. Some looked good for a while but never take root.

That’s why my heart echoes the cry of David in Psalm 51:10–12:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me… Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Takeaway: We’ve been given what Moses recognized was missing—understanding and the empowerment to follow through. Let’s continue to lean into Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit so as not to grow complacent. True faith produces real fruit. Ask the Lord today to search your heart and renew your spirit. Obedience isn’t just about rules—it’s about love, trust, and responding to grace. Don’t assume your walk is fine just because you started well. Keep walking, keep surrendering, and keep seeking the One who gives life.