What does Deuteronomy 11:26 mean?
"¶ Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;" - Deuteronomy 11:26
Deuteronomy 11:26 - "¶ Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;"
Deuteronomy 11:26 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads: "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse."
This verse is situated within the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The book is mainly a set of sermons given by Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. It contains an elaboration of the laws given in the previous books of the Torah and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the consequences of obedience and disobedience.
In this particular verse, Moses is reminding the Israelites that they have a choice before them. God has given them the freedom to choose between a blessing and a curse. This theme of choice and consequence is prevalent throughout the book of Deuteronomy and echoes throughout the entire Bible.
The concept of choice is deeply rooted in the Christian faith. From the beginning of creation, God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to choose between obedience and disobedience. Throughout the Old Testament, we see this theme played out in the lives of various individuals and the nation of Israel as a whole. In the New Testament, Jesus invites people to choose to follow him and receive the blessings of salvation. The book of Revelation also ends with the invitation to choose between accepting or rejecting God's grace.
The context of Deuteronomy 11:26 is Moses' exhortation to the Israelites to faithfully follow God's commandments and to teach them to their children. The verse serves as a reminder that obedience to God's commandments brings blessings, while disobedience brings curses. This echoes the covenantal relationship between God and his people. Throughout the Old Testament, God promises blessings for faithfulness and curses for disobedience, which is often played out in the history of Israel.
The verse also carries a message of hope. Despite the consequences of disobedience, God always provides a way for repentance and restoration. The choices we make have the power to shape our lives and the lives of those around us. This verse serves as a call to be mindful of our choices and to choose the path that leads to blessings and life.
Symbolically, the blessing and curse represent the dual nature of our choices. The blessing represents the abundance of God's goodness, grace, and favor, while the curse represents the consequences of turning away from God's will. In a broader sense, this verse can be applied to the spiritual life of a believer. It reminds us of the ongoing battle between good and evil, light and darkness, obedience and disobedience.
The verse also emphasizes the sovereignty of God. He sets before us the choices, but ultimately, he is in control of the outcomes. This truth reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's wisdom and providence, even when faced with difficult decisions.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 11:26 presents a powerful message about the choices we make and the consequences that follow. It reflects the overarching theme of choice and consequence found throughout the entire Bible, and it serves as a reminder of the faithfulness and sovereignty of God. This verse challenges us to consider the choices we make and to choose the path of blessings and life that comes from obedience to God.
Deuteronomy 11:26 Artwork
Deuteronomy 11:26 - "¶ Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;"
Deuteronomy 26:11 - "And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you."
Nehemiah 11:26 - "And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet,"
Numbers 26:11 - "Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not."
Deuteronomy 14:11 - "¶ Of all clean birds ye shall eat."
Deuteronomy 27:11 - "¶ And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,"
Deuteronomy 18:11 - "Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer."
Deuteronomy 11:11 - "But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:"
Deuteronomy 1:26 - "Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:"
Deuteronomy 26:6 - "And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:"
Job 26:11 - "The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof."
Deuteronomy 27:26 - "Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen."
Deuteronomy 2:26 - "¶ And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,"
Genesis 11:26 - "And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran."
Deuteronomy 22:11 - "¶ Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together."
Deuteronomy 26:9 - "And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey."
Deuteronomy 26:8 - "And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:"
Matthew 11:26 - "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight."
Deuteronomy 31:26 - "Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee."
Deuteronomy 26:4 - "And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God."
Deuteronomy 33:26 - "¶ There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky."
Deuteronomy 2:11 - "Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims."
Matthew 26:11 - "For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always."
Deuteronomy 11:5 - "And what he did unto you in the wilderness, until ye came into this place;"
Deuteronomy 29:26 - "For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:"
Deuteronomy 5:26 - "For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?"
John 11:26 - "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
Proverbs 26:11 - "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly."
Deuteronomy 30:11 - "¶ For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off."
Deuteronomy 28:26 - "And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away."