This blessing comes while the Israelites are in Sinai. They have already received the 10 Commandments. Moses has spent the last couple of chapters giving them additional laws. And now he is giving them promises and warnings. This is one of them. It is conditional, they must serve the Lord and He in return will bless them with food and good health.
The Hebrew word for serve is abad, pronounced aw-bad. I love what it means when referencing serving the Lord. It is a “joyful experience of liberation.” Often times, the Israelites got it wrong and worshipped other gods. But not in this case, in this case the focus is on the one and only God.
Just like the Israelites, we often get it wrong too. We think we’re serving God, but we really aren’t. It’s often said, Satan’s easiest ploy to get us off track is busyness. Busyness can be a false god. Busyness at church, busyness at work, busyness at home. Even good activities can be keeping you from an intimate relationship with God. When we are intentional about investing in our relationship with Jesus we will find joy. By spending time with Him, we will find the “joyful experience of liberation.”
Are you experiencing joyful freedom in your relationship with God? If you aren’t, why not? Are you to caught up in the busyness of life to develop a close relationship with God? The good news is today is a new day. Look at your calendar, decide where you can be more intentional about spending time with God. Seek Him first. Jesus doesn’t want you worn out, He wants you to be filled with joy. He wants to bless you with good food and good health. Follow His lead:
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
