Deuteronomy 28: Christ Bears the Curse and Secures the Blessing

Deuteronomy 28 shows the futility of works, the curse of disobedience, and the blessing of salvation in Christ who bore the curse.

Introduction

Deuteronomy 28 presents the covenant blessings and curses that Israel would experience depending on their obedience or disobedience to God’s law. The chapter begins with promises of abundant blessing for obedience, then turns to overwhelming curses for disobedience. These blessings and curses reveal God’s holiness, His justice, and His requirement for perfect obedience. For believers today, this chapter shows the futility of relying on works to gain God’s favor. It directs us to Christ, who bore the curse of the law and secured every spiritual blessing for those who trust in Him (Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:3).

Doctrine

Deuteronomy 28 teaches the principle of blessing for obedience and curse for disobedience. God’s covenant demanded full obedience to His commands, which Israel could not fulfill. This reveals the doctrine of the law’s purpose—to expose sin and point to the need for Christ. Paul explained that “all who rely on works of the law are under a curse” (Galatians 3:10, ESV). Yet Christ “redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13, ESV). Through His death and resurrection, He fulfilled the law’s demands and secured the blessing of justification by faith for all who believe (Romans 3:21-26). Thus, Deuteronomy 28 foreshadows the gospel, showing that blessing comes only through Christ’s obedience on our behalf.

Reproof

This passage rebukes the false belief that anyone can earn God’s blessing by personal effort. Israel’s history proved that no nation or person can keep God’s law perfectly. Human pride insists on trying to establish righteousness by works, but this results in condemnation. Deuteronomy 28 exposes the lie of self-righteousness by showing the overwhelming curse that comes upon disobedience. Any attempt to reach heaven apart from Christ leads only to God’s wrath (Romans 10:3-4).

Correction

The solution is to abandon self-reliance and turn to Christ in faith. The blessings in Deuteronomy 28 find their fulfillment in Him, and the curses He bore in our place. Believers must correct their thinking by resting on Christ’s obedience rather than their own. The way to blessing is through union with Christ, who grants forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life. He calls sinners to receive His finished work, not attempt to add to it (John 19:30; Philippians 3:9).

Instruction

For those in Christ, the chapter instructs us to walk in obedience, not to earn God’s favor, but as those who already possess every spiritual blessing in Him (Ephesians 1:3). The Spirit empowers believers to obey from the heart, producing the fruit of righteousness. We cultivate gratitude by remembering that Christ endured the curse we deserved, and we respond with willing obedience (Romans 12:1-2). Obedience becomes the expression of love for the One who redeemed us (John 14:15).

Encouragement and Hope

Deuteronomy 28, though weighty, offers hope in Christ. The curses remind us of what He endured on the cross, where He was forsaken, shamed, and stricken so we could be blessed with adoption, forgiveness, and eternal life. The blessings point forward to our eternal inheritance in Christ—a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. The believer can rejoice that no curse remains for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Invitation

Deuteronomy 28 calls every person to recognize his inability to keep God’s law and his desperate need for salvation. The law exposes our guilt and condemns us under God’s curse. But Christ took our place, bearing the curse we deserved. On the cross, He suffered the penalty of sin and satisfied God’s wrath. He rose again to secure eternal blessing for all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). You must change your mind about sin and self-righteousness and call on the name of the Lord for salvation (Romans 10:9-13). Trust in His substitutionary death and resurrection, and you will be forgiven, justified, and blessed forever in Christ.