Deuteronomy 29:19-20 "And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: (20) The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven."
The Lord, through Moses, is still giving warnings to His people concerning the
dangers of entering the Promised Land. Notice the dangers that are spoken
are not concerning the people, their armies, nor their strength. The Lord
is warning His people against allowing the things of the land, the idols, the
traditions, and the ways of the land to intrude into their way of thinking and
their actions. Truly the Lord understands our weaknesses to the degree that He
issues warning after warning concerning the ways of the world.
Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. He said we
are in this world, but we are not of this world. In other words, though
we have to "rub elbows" with ungodliness all around us, we must be
careful that we do not allow that to enter into our lives.
In today's passage, the Lord is warning against the bent of the mind to think
we can have peace in our hearts even if we are going against His
commandments. He is warning against the thought of the mind that the
child of God can find peace in the ways of the world. I think of the prodigal
son just now. He thought he could find contentment and fulfillment in that
"far country." There is no doubt he had a "good time"
until his resources ran out. There came a time that he was brought to the
understanding that his soul was starving (perishing). The love of the
Father drew him back home. But I submit there was no peace whatsoever as long
as he was away from the father. In the book of Hebrews, we saw the people
confessed they were "strangers and pilgrims" in this world.
The temptation of walking away from God is to think we can add more and more
(add drunkenness to thirst) of the world until we find that place where peace
can be found. God is saying in these verses that He will not allow peace. His
anger and jealousy will be poured out upon that person. "The LORD
shall blot out his name from under heaven." That is not saying God
will eternally forsake the person, but He is saying that he will remove all
influence and good that the person could have accomplished. That is a
terrible place to be.
Again, as I go through this book of Deuteronomy, I am made to be so much more
grateful unto our Lord Jesus Christ for all He has done, is doing, and is going
to do for us. Thank you Heavenly Father for giving your only begotten Son and
for giving us the ability to believe and hold to the precious truth of life in
Christ Jesus where peace and assurance is found. Thank you Jesus for your
open arms and your words, "Come unto me."
Jesus, I Come
by William True Sleeper
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come! Jesus, I come!
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee!
Out of my sickness into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee!