We have a wonderful account of the blessings that shall come into every area of the lives of the people of Israel, if they are faithful to the Lord (v1-14). These blessings would be wonderfully fulfilled during the reigns of David and Solomon. Then the people would know great prosperity and victory over their enemies.

Next though we come to the long list of curses for the people’s sin (v15-68). The warning of even suffering some of the plagues of Egypt (v27), speaks of God treating them as his enemies. The warning of other nations taking their food (v33), would happen regularly during the days of the Judges.

There does appear to be a clear prophecy and warning about the coming of the Babylonians many centuries in the future (v36-52).

These curses would all come because of their breaking of God’s law and their failure to ‘fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God’ (v58).

The people’s punishment came because they had lost sight of God and His glory. We need to be careful that we don’t make the same mistake today. We must remember that today God does act in our lives. We must be clear that every trial we face is not a judgment for our personal sin. But God does bring blessing and cursing into people’s lives in consequences to obedience and sin.