Chapter 27-29 are filled with the blessings God promised his people Israel as the fruit of the obedience with his covenant. It also expands on the details of the curses that are inherent when that covenant is violated. While the blessings that God describes are very favorable their details are general. In contrast God goes into great details when he talks about the curses that will befall Israel if they reject him. The terror of those curses are disgusting in their vivid details, especially when he explains how desperate the people will respond to the sieges. Chapter 30 offers a light of hope for the destruction that is described in the curses of the preceding chapters. God explains that the people will humble themselves in their punishment and seek to return to God’s side again. And God will be there waiting; anxious for their return. Like the family of a soldier returning from the battle, or a prisoner being restored to his freedom.
Though the passage is addressed to Israel I believe this section also speaks to all people today about the nature of our God. He is always ready and willing to receive people back into his family. Have we never known God? He is ready. Did we grow up in the faith and then turn away? He wants us back. Have we sinned and rejected his law as a believer? He will forgive us. The death of Jesus on the cross paid the penalty throughout eternity, so that we could spend eternity with our God and creator.
It took me 20 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart
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