Musing – How and why are we to obey God’s first commandment?

 Hebraic Musing – How and why are we to obey God’s first commandment?

What was God’s first commandment?  In Genesis 1:28 “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” NIV   Is that what God’s creation has been doing recently?

After the flood, what did God tell Noah to do?  “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” Genesis 9:1 NIV   Twice we’ve been told what to do!

Then for the third time, in Genesis 35:11 God promises Jacob, "Be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants," showing that multiplication is both a blessing and a covenantal agreement.

So, I have to ask.  Why is the current birth rate shrinking, especially in the USA?  Could some of the reasons be – Selfish lifestyles; Broken homes; Seeking personal pleasure instead of sharing; etc.?

All to often when asking young marrieds, “How many?” we get answers like – “only 2-3”.  And if you ask “Why not more?” the typical response is “Cannot afford more children, need to maintain our lifestyle, too expensive, there’s other things we want to do, etc.

What’s happening to Birth Rate Trends?  The birth rate in the U.S. was approximately 48.3 live births per 1,000 people in 1800.  This rate fluctuated but declined significantly in subsequent decades to as low as 19.2 births per 1,000 people by 1935.  Following World War II, the birth rate surged, reaching 24.1 births per 1,000 people in 1955.  However, from the 1960s onward, the birth rate is declining and continues to drop to 11.99 in 2025.  The total fertility rate in the U.S. has declined significantly, dropping from 3.1 births per woman in 1950 to 1.6 births per woman by 2024.  The U.S. fertility rate has fallen well below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman in 2023, indicating potential challenges for population stability in the future.

This decline is attributed to factors such as increased access to education and contraception, changing societal norms and roles, and economic considerations.  Are there more women in the workforce?  Why?  Broken marriages, desire to live beyond our means, etc.  (I have to ask, what level of means are we entitled to?!?!).  I find it interesting that the U.S. First Continental Congress in 1775 had 56 members, all of whom were men; now 28 “Congressmen” are women!?!?

When God told us to “be fruitful and multiply” was he referring to numbers only?  Or Does Almighty God want us to be fruitful and multiply in ways beyond physical reproduction?  Might Almighty God also want us believers to be growing in other dimensions as well:

·      Spiritual growth – Developing faith, character, and obedience to God with spiritual fruit -- love, joy, peace, patience, and faithfulness; visible signs of a fruitful life in Christ.

·      Relationships – Nurturing family, friendships, and church community by cultivating a life of abundance and blessings reflecting God’s generosity.  

·      Service and influence – Using our talents, resources, and actions to bless others and expand God’s kingdom by engaging in acts of kindness, teaching, and mentorship to be a positive impact on society.

In essence, the biblical call to "be fruitful and multiply" invites fulfilling God’s purpose physically, spiritually, relationally, and socially  in order to spread God’s blessings throughout the world.  What is the role of “Biblical Marriage”?  I wonder how many couples truly ask the Lord “How many should we have?”  Or is the decision based on selfishly perceived motivation?  Are children an expensive chore or a blessing?

Personally – When I was born, before WWII, I was the oldest of 8.  The first house I owned was in Bolingbrook, IL, and most of our neighbors had 6 to 8 children.  We eventually had 7 children.  And to be honest, I was not thinking about God’s plan when we were enjoying the God-given pleasures of marriage!

Points to ponder

Which one is glad to see the declining Birth rate?   Our Lord or Satan?

When population grows, doesn’t God have more candidates to spend eternity in heaven?

“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                    August 25, 2026
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing -- What if you only had One Book to read?

Hebraic Musing -- What if you only had One Book to read?

If you only had one book to read, would you choose a mystery novel; war story; love story; history reference; self-help guide; medical reference; psychology text; child-rearing guide; ancestral history study; warfare; futuristic & visionary; legal library; comedy; gore; trickery; or … ? 

May I suggest the obvious?   Let’s read and study the bible, the Word of God, which has all the above and more!   Our Hebraic Roots are based on the lives of a people that lived, studied and died by the Torah, the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Writings – the TaNaK.  Their books included:

War Stories - Dt 20:1   When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, …   Dt 20:20…build siege works until the city at war with you falls.

Love Stories - SS 1:13-14  My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.  My lover is to me a …  1 Jn 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Mystery Novels - Da 2:18-19  He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men . . .

History Reference - Ezr 4:19-20  ...it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition.  Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them....

Self-help guide - Pr 1:1-3  The proverbs of Solomon ...:   for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;  for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, . . .

Medical Reference - Lev 15:13-14 he must wash his clothes and bathe himself with fresh water, and he will be clean.     Lev 16:28  The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water;   Dt 23:12   Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself.  Lev 12:3-4  On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. (When clotting is at maximum level!)

Psychology Lessons -   Dt 4:6-7  ... for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear … and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

Trickery - Joshua 9:12-14  This bread … was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is … wineskins … see how cracked… clothes… are worn out . . ."  The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.

Gore & Comedy - Jdg 3:22-24  Even the handle sank in after the blade, which came out his back. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in …. the servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They said, "He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the house."

Sarcasm – Mt 23:27  Woe to you, teachers of the law …, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones…

Humorous Exaggerations - Mk 9:43-47  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off … if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off… if your eye … pluck it out.  Or the Camel through the eye of a needle!

Futuristic & Visionary – Dan. 2:45  "The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy."  10:14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."

Legal Library - Dt 5:1  Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today…    (Ten Commandments)   Remember the 613 Mitzvot (good deeds) in the OT and 1,000+ in the NT?

Child-rearing guide – Pr 23:13-14  Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. 

Ancestral history – Remember all the lineages and ‘begats’!?!?  

Spiritual warfare - Eph 6:12  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but ...against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Points to ponder

Do we need sections other than for ‘BIBLES’ in our Christian bookstores? 

Is reading the Bible like reading 15 books at one time?!?!

♫  Read your Bible. Pray every day. And you’ll grow, grow, grow!
  (v.2)   Don’t read your Bible. Forget to pray. And you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              August 18, 2026

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Originally Hebraic Insight #49 – “What if you only had One Book to read? Dec. 23, 2009 - 

Musing – Have we become Kings and Priests?

 Hebraic Musing – Have we become Kings and Priests?

The priesthood was a divinely instituted office in the O T providing someone to serve as a mediator between God and His people, primarily through offering sacrifices, teaching the Law and leading spiritual worship.  Hmmm… Has that become the role of us believers today if and when Jesus Christ is our Lord? 

A prophetic message from Zechariah says Jesus is the Priest and King who builds His temple and rules.  “Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD.  It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne….” Zechariah 6:12-13 NIV   Isn’t this also our role today?!?!

What was Paul trying to tell us in this passage about us as followers and disciples of Christ?  What is our role?  "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… “ 1 Corinthians 6:19   If that’s the case, could our places of business also be temples?   

In the business world a branch office has the same authority and provides services delegated from the main office, with the benefit of being nearer to those who need to be served.  If we recognize our work as ministry, then we can build our temples of worship as kings and priests – kings who have been given free will and authority to choose life, and priests who minister to/from God and to/from the people.  Might our personal and our corporate bodies be the temples of the Holy Spirit with the authority to act as kings and priests?

CEOs and owners of companies possess authority, while managers and team members are an extension of that authority within their organization to participate with Jesus who said He would build His church.  He is building His temple, adding to it and strengthening His church/organization.  “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV   And previously in vs 9 we’ve been reminded.  “For we [Paul and Apollos] are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”   In God’s field, we are “a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3   Since Jesus is the Branch, then might we be Branch Offices?!?!  His building?  His field?  And we get to touch and minister as a branch office closer to the people!

Is our “branch” bearing fruit?  Isaiah 11:1 says “A shoot (branch) will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”     We get a hint of how the Branches build through the spirit of wisdom – “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.” Proverbs 9:1 NIV   When building an organization (like a church) the Spirit moves on us at the beginning to build it on seven righteous values that become the pillars that give purpose to our enterprise, the church.  When we esteem the effervescent essence of Christ’s character reflected in our values, we take our place in the building of the Lord, His temple, His church.  “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-21.   

What is a priest?  “1. A person having the authority to perform and administer religious rites; 2. A person ordained to act as a mediator between God and man in administering the sacraments, preaching, blessing, guiding, etc.”  As faithful believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord, are we to be fulfilling the role of Priest?

What was Jesus trying to tell you and I?  “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:” John 17:21-22

Points to ponder

Can you picture your role as a King or a Priest in God’s Kingdom?

Is a person ordained with priesthood responsibilities when they accept Jesus as their Lord?

Are we “branching” out as “the planting of the Lord.”?   Isaiah 61.3

“In him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              August 11, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note - Inspired by Mark Stern’s “Tues w/ Papa” July 13, 2026 message: “Branch Offices”

Musing – Does the Bible have different roles for Men versus Women?

 Hebraic Musing – Does the Bible have different roles for Men versus Women?

Are there differing roles for Men and Women (and/or for Husbands and their Wives) according to the Bible?  This topic is currently in the news as the Southern Baptist Convention is trying to clarify the office and function of the pastor regarding whether being a pastor might be a role for women.  Is societal pressure at odds with Biblical teaching?  And how might this also apply to the role of “Elders”?  Biblically, the offices of Pastors and Elders is uniquely reserved for qualified men.  That position is certainly unpopular in our culture and is becoming increasingly unpopular, but popularity has never been the measure of biblical truth.  “An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.” Titus 1:6 NIV

What else does the Bible say on this topic?  “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”  Don’t stop reading because then the husbands get a command.  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Eph.5:22-25 NIV   These are differing roles and responsibilities; the Husband’s role is Sacrificial; whereas the Wife’s role comes more naturally for her. 

I wonder why Paul wrote this for women?  “If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” 1 Cor. 14:35 NIV   Who did Paul hold responsible for the Spirituality of the home?  “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” Eph.5:23   Also in 1 Peter 3:7 – “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner.”

The order of creation for Men and Women is explained in Gen 2.  Who was created first – the Man or the Woman?  In Genesis 2:18-23 – “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ … v21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,' for she was taken out of man.’”

It is understood that the LORD was addressing the Israelite men when He said this to them – “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you…” Deut.6:6-7     And he also said – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Eph.6:4   Who does God say He will be hold responsible for training and instructing the children?

In Genesis 3:6, was the first sin committed by a man or a woman?  God had warned the man not to eat the fruit of the tree, so he should have known better.  Eve had not heard that eating the fruit was forbidden.  So who knew better and disobeyed God by eating the apple and thus needs redemption?

Is gender confusion a valid reason/excuse for today’s world to default to non-Biblical roles?  God views men and women as equals; but that does not mean they are the same? 
   “Equal” - being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.    
   “Same” – Identical; not different.

Is our Christianity better or worse now than when we were founded?  Or better than we were 80 years ago? 

Points to ponder

Does the Bible ever encounter confusion between definitions and/or roles of men and women?

Is Christianity and church attendance growing or declining in America today?  Why? 

Have men been abdicating their God-ordained responsibilities?

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal.3:28

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                            August 4, 2026         

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

P.S.  Are trending roles of men and women in today’s society counter to Biblical fundamentals?

·      America was founded as a Christian nation, so why was the First Continental Congress all men?  No women!  But now, 28% of Congressmen currently are women.

·      In my 80+ years in this world, I’m surprised to see the number of corporate CEO roles filled with women; that was unheard of in my early years!

·      There is a significant difference between Men and Women.  Dr. Emerson Eggerichs points out that Women need and seek Love; while Men need and seek Respect.  This difference is thoroughly explained in his book “Love and Respect”.  Does our society understand and support these God-given natures?

·      Since only about 10% of schoolchildren go home to both of their original parents, what’s the impact on them of the parenting roles in broken homes?  Or for the roles of Husbands and Wives?

·      Recent surveys show that children are much more likely to continue in church if the Father is involved.

These are some of the role shifts I’ve observed in recent years.  Do these trends fit the spirit of the Bible?  How are these trends impacting our businesses, government, and family lives?

Musing - How do you respond to Brokenness?

 Hebraic Musing - How do you respond to Brokenness?

How many things do you see that are broken?  By that I mean things that are not the way they are supposed to be?   And a follow-up question – What should be our response? 

What brokenness do we see around us?  For example:

·         Marriage and gender definitions being distorted;

·         Wars and hostilities in Iran, Israel and other atrocities in the Middle-East and around the world;

·         Unborn babies being killed;

·         Injustices and lack of integrity in political, sports, business, news media, etc.;

·         Addictions to drugs, pharmaceuticals and obesity, etc.;

·         Declines in church attendance and the meaningfulness of church;

·         Cyclical perpetuation of poverty in various ethnic groups;

·         Degradation of morality in our culture emanating from the media, entertainment arena and elsewhere.

Do these issues cause you to be emotionally upset?   If “Yes”, that’s okay.  I’d be worried if we did not become emotionally upset when we see that something is wrong.  If it does not bother us emotionally, then we have a different problem!

Does our emotional upset-ness cause us to be spiritually moved to seek God for an answer?  Are we seeking direction to find out “what does God want us to do about it”?   Confession – All too often I find myself second-guessing what someone else should be doing about it! 

David called on God when he realized his own brokenness – “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”  Psalm 51:16-17 NIV    Maybe we need to experience “a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.”  And Jesus said something very similar in the opening words of His Sermon on the Mount – "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3 NIV   The words “poor in spirit” could be better translated as “distressed in spirit”.  The word “distressed” has more significance than the word “poor” since we should be “distressed in our spirit” over some of the things that we observe that are just plain wrong.

From this, it would seem we might feel helpless, so we might give up and finally call on God; waiting for Him to solve it.  I think that avoidance is an incomplete and irresponsible response.  Shouldn’t we also seek God for the direction we need so we can take some action?  Maybe we cannot solve the whole problem ourselves, but what can we do?   What action(s) are available and doable?  Are we willing to simply accept the fact that things around us are wrong, or are we willing to take ownership of our part in a corporate problem and seek God's guidance?  And then be ready to take action!

How often do we simply take the news about that wrong situation and republish it to show others that we are aware something is wrong?  Was that our desire to share grief?  Or, were we seeking to get somebody emotionally and then spiritually involved toward a solution, or working toward resolution?

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.” Isaiah 31:1 NIV

Points to ponder

Worse yet, have I given up on the possibility of a solution?   Did we forget –
 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phillipians.4:13

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

♫  I will call upon the Lord, For He is worthy to be praised. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                      July 28, 2026  (October 7, 2014 Musing updated)  
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – What am I thinking while reading my Bible slowly?

 Hebraic Musing – What am I thinking while reading my Bible slowly?

My usual routine is to read the Bible with the goal of finishing a chapter or a book.  However, sometimes I feel called by the Holy Spirit to read slowly and cogitate.  What happens?  What’s going through my mind?  For example, when reading the book of James (NIV) slowly, what am I thinking?  What questions pop-up?

James 1:1   James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, -- What do I hear?  I wonder what being a “bondservant” really involves?  Do I really want to be one?!?!   Who is James writing to?   
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.  –  I wonder if I might have somehow become part of the 12 tribes throughout the world that James is trying to reach! 

v2   Profiting from Trials - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, -- That doesn’t sound logical.  I’ve learned to avoid trials, but God’s Word tells me I will gain!  I wonder how that works?

v3   knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. – Lord, you know I am not patient by nature.  I want it now!!!  Especially “faith”; I need it now!

v4   But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – I like the “lacking nothing” part, but how much patience will it take to become “perfect and complete”?  Is it attainable?

v5  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. – I like the idea of getting more wisdom, but will God really give it to me “liberally”?  There’s got to be a catch!  You say all I need to do is “ask” and I will receive!?  Do I have enough faith to believe that!

v6   But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. – Sounds like I need perfect faith, but I doubt it will work.  Yes, my faith is tossed about by the winds of life.  I’m not capable of perfection.  I wish I were!

v7   For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; -- But I think I have faith that I will receive something from the Lord.  Can’t believe He’ll not answer by requests, just because I doubted?

v8   he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – Maybe to some extent I am the “double-minded man”?  These ways of thinking have got me thinking… so let’s go on.

v9   The Perspective of Rich and Poor – Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. – But that doesn’t sound fair, that the rich loses even more!  I thought money wouldn’t count.  Got to think about this a little more.  What’s God’s point here?

v11   For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. – So all my striving for the various forms of riches is for naught!  Now I think I understand!  But that’s not the way I was brought up!!!

Conclusion – I wonder what I will have to resolve if I read the rest of these groups of God’s Word in James Chapter 1, or in the rest of God’s Word, or if I read the rest of my Bible slowly and thoughtfully:
   Loving God Under Trials – vs12-18           – Why does a loving God let me go through trials?  
   Qualities Needed in Trials – v.19               – Sounds like God thinks I need some “qualities”!
   Doers—Not Hearers Only – vs.21-27         – You mean it’s for me to do!?!?  Not the other guy!

Points to ponder

Does your mind also drift while reading God’s Word?  About what?

How fast should we read God’s Word?

Should we pay more attention when the LORD of the Universe is speaking to us?

Do we really let God’s perfect, true and loving Word sink in?

Am I the only one who thinks like this when listening to My Lord speaking to me?

“Only one life ‘twill soon be past.  Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              July 21, 2026 

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Hebraic Musing – What is His Prosperity Message for Us?

 Hebraic Musing – What is His Prosperity Message for Us?

Are we entitled to prosperity just because we are Christians?  The Torah portion Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:9 is called Ki Tavo or "when you come."   G-d instructs His people that when they receive the promise He has given them, that they should not forget from whence it came.  That’s preachable, especially since we have received phase one of His promise, we’ll be entering the promised land!  In Chapter 26 & 27 Moses sets requirements on His people regarding first-fruit offerings; and the curses for disobedience.  Then chapter 28 starts with “If…”

Note the ‘if, then’ conditions in Chapt.28!  All too often the quotes of phrases/sentences from this passage are taken out of context.  Rarely do I hear mention of the ‘if, then’ conditions on the blessings, as well as ‘if, then’ consequences/curses resulting from not obeying.  Chapter 28 needs to be understood in its entirety.  Try reading without picking and choosing!   And note the frequent mention of “if”!

Deut.28:1-14 NIV “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.   All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:  You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.  The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock  . . .   Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.   You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.    The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.   The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.  The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands …   The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity …   The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.    The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.”    Wow – Let’s seek those blessings.   But let’s keep reading…

Dt.28:15…   “However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: …”   (Note that there were 13 verses of ‘blessings’ while the next 54 verses (v15 to v68) define the curses!

Too often preachers promise blessings available to their flock based on phrases in the first 14 verses.  Words such as "You shall be the head and not the tail;" or "Blessed shall you be as you go in and bless shall you be as you go out" are readily applied to our friends and our prayer partners.  But, unless we walk in obedience to God's instruction, to His Torah, the Lord has NOT promised those blessings.

God asks us to bring the first fruit of your produce to Him and in addition we are to feed those "Baby Christians" and those who are still growing in their walk with Him.  Feeding means more than just paying your tithe and giving an offering; it means giving your life in the work of raising up Believers so that all may become strong enough to feed others.  What did Yeshua tell Peter, in red letters? “Feed my lambs.” “Take care of my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.”  What might that be telling us what to do?  Although this was spoken to His Chosen People, might it also apply to us Gentile Believers who are grafted in?

His atoning sacrifice on the cross was not to relieve us from obedience requirements.  If anything, we should be more desirous of obedient living because of what He did for us.  The final words of Moses to Israel are recorded in the final words of His Covenant; and His words to them are the best advise for you and for me today.  He closed his instructions by saying, "Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do." Deut.29:9 NKJV

Points to ponder

God’s love may be unconditional; but are His blessings conditional?

God’s blessings are based on “If we obey”; but If Jesus is our LORD, shouldn’t we want to obey?

“if you do not obey … and do not carefully follow all his commands…, all these curses will come upon you”

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              June 14, 2026  (Update of October 6, 2009 Hebraic Insight)
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
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