27-31 Blessings, Curses & Transitions

Blessings & Curses

In the Sanctions section of Deuteronomy we have Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim being used as pulpits to pronounce curses and blessings on Israel as consequences to either breaking or keeping the covenant. Curses are announced from Mount Ebal and blessings from Mount Gerizim. The blessings were basically health and wealth and safety. The curses were basically disease and poverty and destruction.

How to effectively change spiritual leaders…
1. Adequately explain your departure (31:1-2)
2. Point to God’s eternal leadership (31:3-6)
3. Affirm the new leader before the people (31:7-8)
4. See that the new leader is commissioned (31:14)

Tools to witness to/against Israel…
1. Scriptural (31:9-13)
2. Songs (31:19-22, 32:1-47)
3. Ark of the Covenant (31:24-29)
4. Blessings from Moses (33:1-29)
5. Stones (Joshua 4:1-9)

Necessities for Spiritual Leadership…
1. A sense of God’s presence (Joshua 1:1-5)
2. A willingness to seek progress (1:6)
3. An obedience to God’s commands (1:7-8)

Carrying Out a Spiritual Plan…
1. Cast the spiritual vision (1:10-11)
2. Keep others accountable (1:12-18)
3. Study your target (2:1)
4. Consider strategic alliances (2:14-21)
5. Remember your dependence (3:1-17)
6. Make success a part of your story (4:1-9)
7. Commit to the ongoing mission (5:1-8)
8. Enjoy the life of promise (5:9-12)