Love shown in obedience, rain from heaven and choosing blessing rather than curse
Deuteronomy 11 concludes Moses’ great appeal concerning Israel’s attitude toward God. The generation standing before him had personally seen both divine discipline and deliverance. Moses therefore calls them to love God, keep His charge, teach His words to their children and remember that life in the promised land will depend upon rain from heaven rather than the artificial irrigation familiar in Egypt. The chapter closes by setting blessing and curse before the nation.
1. Love and obedience belong together
“Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge.” (Deuteronomy 11:1). Biblical love is not merely emotion; it expresses itself in loyal conduct.
2. Personal experience creates responsibility
Moses addresses those who had seen God’s chastening, greatness, mighty hand and judgments. (Deuteronomy 11:2-7). Greater experience should produce greater maturity.
3. Discipline is meant to teach
Israel’s wilderness chastening was not purposeless suffering. God used it to instruct and form a people capable of entering the land.
4. Remember what rebellion did to Dathan and Abiram
Moses recalls the earth swallowing the rebels. (Deuteronomy 11:6). Communities should remember where pride and rebellion can lead.
5. Strength for the task depends on obedience
Israel is told to keep the commandments “that ye may be strong.” (Deuteronomy 11:8). Spiritual strength is not bravado; it grows from walking with God.
6. The promised land requires continuing dependence
Unlike Egypt, where irrigation depended heavily on the Nile, Canaan drinks water “of the rain of heaven.” (Deuteronomy 11:10-11). The land itself teaches dependence.
7. God’s care is continual
The land is one “which the LORD thy God careth for,” with His eyes upon it from beginning to end of the year. (Deuteronomy 11:12). Providence is not occasional.
8. Prosperity is not independent of spiritual life
Rain, corn, wine and oil are connected with covenant faithfulness. (Deuteronomy 11:13-17). Israel must never imagine that abundance makes God unnecessary.
9. Guard the heart against being deceived
Moses warns that the heart can be deceived and turn aside to other gods. (Deuteronomy 11:16). Apostasy often begins internally before it becomes visible.
10. Put God’s word into heart and life
Israel is told to lay up the words in heart and soul and to bind them as reminders. (Deuteronomy 11:18). Scripture should shape memory and decision.
11. Teach continually across generations
Parents are again told to speak of God’s words at home, on the road, morning and evening. (Deuteronomy 11:19-20). Faith needs deliberate transmission.
12. Obedience enlarges the sphere of service
Every place Israel faithfully occupies within God’s promise is available to them. (Deuteronomy 11:22-25). Fear recedes where trust and obedience grow.
13. Life presents moral choices
Moses sets “a blessing and a curse” before Israel. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). Spiritual life is not morally neutral.
14. Choose blessing before the crisis arrives
The blessing is attached to hearing and obeying; the curse to turning aside. Wisdom makes that choice before immediate temptation makes it harder.
Closing thought
Deuteronomy 11 presents life as continual dependence on God. Love Him, keep His word, teach it to the next generation and remember that blessing is not automatic: it belongs to a life deliberately oriented toward Him.
Practical Readings — Deuteronomy 11