A Long Line of Curses

Bible Study Questions 10220

PASSAGE: Deuteronomy 28:47-68

COMMENT: In a long list that began at verse fifteen, the Lord continues to describe the curse that will fall on Israel if they fail to do the commands that He has given them in the law. This chapter has 14 verses of blessing and 54 verses of curses. Though we are not under the law today, we can learn much from this lesson about how much God hates disobedience to His word.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. They will serve their enemies and the Lord will put a yoke of ________ on their neck.

2. Famine will drive the tender and __________ woman to the point where her eye shall be _________ toward her husband, son, and daughter.

3. The Lord will send them plagues and will bring upon them all the diseases of _________.

4. Whereas they were as the ________ of heaven for number, they shall be left few in number.

5. They shall be taken captive as prisoners to Egypt and sold to their enemies, but no man shall ________ them.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. Read verses 53-57. What terrible thing is happening in this passage? What is described as the fruit of their own body? What similarities does this passage have to Lamentations 4:4-10?

2. Verse 58 states that these harsh punishments will come on Israel “that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD.” Describe your understanding of the fear of the Lord. Some say it is just a reverence or honor for Him, but this passage indicates that it is more. What is the difference between reverence for God and the fear of the Lord? How does the fear of the Lord coexist with the comfort we experience in His presence? Compare this with a good parent/child relationship.

3. In what ways can we see verses 64-66 fulfilled in the history of the Jewish people?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. In verse 47, we find that Israel would suffer all these afflictions because they served “not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things.” In what ways do you fail to serve the Lord in this way? What do you think it means to serve Him with joyfulness and with gladness of heart? Give specific examples as to how this can be done.

2. Verse 67 describes their misery: “In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning!” Describe the person who feels like this. What would your advice be to this person?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: None

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