28:58 “If you are not careful to do all the words of this law which are written in this book, to fear this glorious and fearsome name, Yahweh your God, then Yahweh will bring wondrous plagues on you and plagues on those who are your seed, even great and enduring plagues”

So far in this book of Scripture, Moses has given a preamble (chs.1-4), a republishing of the Ten Commandants and exposition on what it means to be the people of God (5-11), and an overview of the detailed statutes and judgments that aid the nation in conforming to their identity and function (12-26). Now, in his deathbed exhortation to Israel, Moses shifts perspective to the future and expounds the consequences of the nation’s reception of the Law and the future of Israel.

The campaign for the land will begin with a ceremony similar to the covenant at Sinai, with all the words of this law written on large stones, an altar for dedication and celebration, and a pronunciation of curses for disobedience (Deut 11:29-32). We can see throughout the Bible so far that the primary sin is making and serving other gods, and yet somehow related to are universally-regarded immoral behaviors like dishonoring parents, violence, sexual deviance and stealing. The final verse encapsulates many things, in that obedience to the voice of God is the only true measure of belief in Him.

We can see in this section that Yahweh is Sovereign in this world, in that He Himself blesses and curses whoever He wants and in whatever degree He wants. With this in mind, there are two visions for God’s nation. If Israel loves Yahweh, He will indeed fulfill His intention for them, and bless them in strength and prosperity high above all the nations. Yet unthinkably, if they do not love Him, and choose to love the cultures surrounding them, He will facilitate their scarcity and weakness and national destruction. This section is long and disturbing and graphic, suggesting this is a prophecy more than a warning, in which a nation will overthrow and scatter them throughout the earth. (Deut 4:25-31; 5:29) Overall, we can observe that God is not partial to those who hate Him and reject Him. (Ex 20:5-6; Deut 5:9-10; 7:10)