This small group Deuteronomy 28:25-68 Bible study guide contains commentary, discussion questions, cross-references, and application to encourage life change. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Deuteronomy Bible Study Commentary And Discussion Questions
Outline
I. More curses for disobedience (25-68)
Discussion Questions
• What different areas of their lives would be affected by these curses?
• In your opinion, what are the worst curses mentioned?
• Were any of these curses fulfilled in their history? If so, which ones?
• Was this an exhaustive list of all possible curses (see verse 61)?
• These curses are a heavy topic. Why was it useful for them to hear this? Why is it helpful for us to study it?
• Why should churches study serious, uncomfortable, and heavy topics?
• Will God curse us today if we sin? Use Scripture verses to defend your answer.
• If an unbeliever read this and told you, “The God of the Old Testament is harsh,” how would you respond?
• Where do you see God’s qualities of justice and wrath, even in the New Testament?
Optional Activity for Small Groups
Split into small groups of 2-4 people. Assign each group one of the following sections of verses.
• 25-35
• 36-44
• 45-51
• 52-63
• 64-68
Give 15 minutes for small group discussion. Be ready to give answers to the large group on the following questions:
• What are the curses mentioned in this passage? (Try to share them all from memory.)
• What areas of their life did these curses touch?
• Why did God “threaten” them with these curses?
• Were any of these curses fulfilled and if so, when and where?
• How did you feel when reading this passage?
• How should they and you react to these curses?
• Why is it useful for us to study a heavy and serious topic like this?
• How should you respond to this passage? Are there any actions you should take?
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 7:1 – Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Leviticus 20:26 – You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.
Matthew 5:48 – You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
1 John 1:10 – If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 2:2 – He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. The curses cover almost every aspect of their lives –
• Military defeat (25-26)
• Health (27-29, 35)
• Family (30, 32)
• Property (30)
• Animals (31)
• Farm (34, 38-43)
• Homeland (36)
• Position (43)
• Finances (44)
• Human decency (52-57)
• Descendant (58-63)
• Emotions, rest, and well-being (64-67)
2. Some of the curses were in direct contrast to blessings of obedience under the covenant –
Deuteronomy 28:30 – You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall ravish her. You shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it. You shall plant a vineyard, but you shall not enjoy its fruit.
According to the law, a man was given three exemptions for military service. One was a recent betrothal. Another was if he had recently finished a house. A third was if he had recently planted a vineyard. In all three cases, he was allowed to enjoy these aspects of his life before going to fight in battle.
However, the curse nullified those exceptions. The man would be forced to fight without being able to enjoy his wife, home, or vineyard. Then he would die and someone else would take those things he could never enjoy.
Deuteronomy 20:5-7 – Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit. And is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.’
3. The most sickening curse mentioned –
Verses 52-57 describe perhaps the worst curse in this list. The people of Israel would be besieged by foreign armies. Because of a lack of food, they would turn to cannibalism, eating their offspring. Even the gentlest man and kindest woman would selfishly horde their own children and eat them secretly.
It is a horrible depiction of base morals, depravity, and total desperation.
Sadly, the historian Josephus recorded that this exact thing happened during the siege of Jerusalem by Rome in AD 70.
Here is how Josephus described it.
“There was a Mary, daughter of Eleazar originally from the village of previously fled to Jerusalem. Distinguished in family and fortune, her property, treasures and food had been plundered by the Jewish defenders of the city during the siege. Famine was “eating her heart out, and rage consuming her still faster”. Maddened by hunger she took the infant at her breast and said to him: “Poor little mite! In war, famine, and civil strife why should I keep you alive? With the Romans there is only slavery and that only if alive when they come; but famine is forestalling slavery, and the partisans are crueler than either. Come you must be food for me, to the partisans an avenging spirit, and to the world a tale, the only thing left to fill up the measure of Jewish misery”. And in “defiance to all natural feeling” she killed her son, then roasted him and ate one half, hiding the rest.
Almost immediately the rebels appeared (“sniffing the unholy smell”) and threatened to kill her on the spot unless she revealed what she had prepared. As she uncovered what was left of the child she offered them a share. They left her in horror and the “entire city could not stop thinking of this crime and abomination”. When the news reached the Romans, “some refused to believe, some were distressed but on most the effect was to add enormously to their detestation” of the enemy at hand. Titus disclaimed all responsibility as he had repeatedly offered peace and amnesty for surrender.”
Source – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_of_Bethezuba
This is ultimately where their sin and rebellion against the Lord would lead them. The curses were a reminder that disobedience to the Lord would lead to terrible travesties and utter hopelessness.
4. What were they supposed to do? –
Verse 27 is a reminder of how they were to respond to God’s goodness by serving Him. He had given them all that they needed and given it abundantly.
Deuteronomy 28:47 – Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things.
But it wasn’t enough to satisfy them. Discontent and greed drive people farther from God’s goodness. The ironic thing is that the more they try to satisfy themselves outside of God’s will, the less satisfied they will be.
5. The heavy topic of curses and judgment – Many churches these days avoid topics like judgment, hell, sin, and death. These are not pleasant topics. They are not something you would like to talk about on a date, on a honeymoon, at a celebration, or really at any time. Most people ascribe to the philosophy that “ignorance is bliss.” They would rather stick their head in the sand and ignore these realities because they make them uncomfortable.
God deemed it necessary for the Israelites to hear these curses. These served as a warning of the consequences of disobedience. It should have led to more respect and fear of God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10-12). It is good to have a healthy respect for God. It is also wise to consider the long-term effects of sin and, therefore, broaden one’s perspective.
Solomon also agreed that heavy topics are useful.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 – It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.
Reflect – What is the benefit of discussing “heavy” topics like this chapter? What are the dangers of avoiding such conversations?
Many people are afraid of going to the hospital. They think something might be wrong with their health but are worried that if they go to the hospital, they will receive bad news that the issue is serious. This fear causes many people to avoid checkups. The result is sometimes that serious health problems such as cancer or heart disease are undiscovered. But they are still there, spreading under the surface. Some people die because they would not go and get an issue checked out and get necessary treatment earlier.
The same danger is true for those who don’t want to think about death or judgment or life after death. They avoid the difficult conversation now but as a result, are unprepared for eternity.
Looking at this chapter on curses should remind us of several things.
• God is just. He does not allow sin to go unpunished.
• There are consequences of sin on earth and in eternity.
• Our sin affects those around us, including our nation, family, children, and descendants.
• We are not good. We are lost sinners and need help. Because of our sins, we deserve the curse and need our Savior to take that curse from us. Without Him, we are hopeless.
Application – This passage should first drive us to our knees to repent of our sins and ask God for mercy. Secondly, it should cause us to thank God for His forgiveness and praise Him for salvation.
How would you feel if you had to face the curses in this chapter? It would be terrifying. Because of Jesus, you don’t have to face them. That should fill you with joy and gratitude.
6. This glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God (58) – God is kind and gracious, but He is not weak or tame. In the Chronicles of Narnia series, C.S. Lewis writes this dialogue about Aslan (who is a symbol of Jesus in the books).
“Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the king I tell you. He’s not a tame lion.”
This is true of God. He isn’t safe like a housecat. He could tear your head off in an instant. But He is good and kind. He is power under control. We should not mistake His lack of immediate action against sin as indifference or inability. The Lord shows mercy to us by not immediately executing us when we sin. He is patient. But that patience does not last forever.
2 Peter 3:8-10 – But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Application – Do not take God’s patience for granted. It is dangerous to test Him (Deuteronomy 6:16). He is glorious and awesome. We should treat Him with the respect He deserves. Do not harden your hearts by sinning today and telling yourself you will ask forgiveness tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation (Isaiah 49:8).
