As a college professor, I write syllabi for my courses. They include a list of objectives, the requirements of the class, and the standards by which students will be assessed. A student can earn a high grade by following the course requirements and doing quality work. But if they turn work in late, plagiarize, or don’t show up to class, there are consequences.

In some ways, the book of Deuteronomy is like a syllabus for Israel. God clearly outlined His expectations for the nation in the heart of the book (chapters 12–26). In chapters 27–28, God described the blessings and the curses Israel would experience depending on their faithfulness to the covenant. Yesterday, we reflected on some of the curses. In Deuteronomy 28, Moses outlines the blessings.

Imagine what you would most desire in life. Healthy children, abundant food and shelter, peace from foreign invaders, and a stable and just government. These are all things God promised to Israel if they would be faithful to Him. They would have abundant crops, full barns, and healthy families (vv. 3–8). They would receive needed rain at the right time to avoid famine (v. 12). They would not have to fear their enemies (v. 7).

The reason for God’s blessing was to achieve one of His objectives for Israel. Israel was called to be a blessing to the nations (Gen. 12:3). God’s desire was that “all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD” (Deut. 28:10). Israel was to point people to the Lord.

As followers of Jesus, we have been given “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Like Israel, the reason we are blessed is to point people to what the Lord has done, “for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Eph. 2:10).

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