Cursed is anyone who does not heed the terms of this Covenant,
Commentaries
11:1 - 11:12
The Terms of the Covenant.
God reminds his people of the covenant’s terms, which they have failed to keep. This failure led the Deuteronomist school to suggest a return to the origins, as Israel had nearly completely strayed from the path set at Sinai when they left Egypt. This Deuteronomist idea was partly approved by King Josiah when he launched a religious reform in 622 B.C. (2 Kgs 23), which was triggered by the discovery of a scroll in the temple containing the original Law of Moses (cf. 2 Kgs 22:8). Israel was chosen from all nations and called to be and live as the people of the true God, the Lord (4). Their covenant obligation is to obey God (7). However, Israel ignored the Lord’s voice, choosing to follow other gods who never offered true life. God set out to be the source of life and the path to freedom for His people (4). Conversely, Israel followed other gods (10:12ff, 17) who do not bring life but drain it, leading the people to face the crossroads of death.
Commentaries
The Terms of the Covenant.
God reminds his people of the covenant’s terms, which they have failed to keep. This failure led the Deuteronomist school to suggest a return to the origins, as Israel had nearly completely strayed from the path set at Sinai when they left Egypt. This Deuteronomist idea was partly approved by King Josiah when he launched a religious reform in 622 B.C. (2 Kgs 23), which was triggered by the discovery of a scroll in the temple containing the original Law of Moses (cf. 2 Kgs 22:8). Israel was chosen from all nations and called to be and live as the people of the true God, the Lord (4). Their covenant obligation is to obey God (7). However, Israel ignored the Lord’s voice, choosing to follow other gods who never offered true life. God set out to be the source of life and the path to freedom for His people (4). Conversely, Israel followed other gods (10:12ff, 17) who do not bring life but drain it, leading the people to face the crossroads of death.