Deuteronomy 30
There is forgiveness of sins and the promise of restoration for those who repent. If you return to the Lord your God, he will rejoice over you and bless you. The word is set before you, to observe and is not to difficult for you. Loving the Lord and obeying his voice is life and prosperity but turning your heart away to worship other gods and serve them is death and adversity.
Moses saw the Lord God at Horeb, when all of his goodness passed before him, the Lord declared to him: “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” (Ex 34:6-7)
True biblical theology teaches us that the Lord God is compassionate and gracious; therefore, he forgives those who sin against him, if they are repentant and return to him. Although he is slow to anger, it should not be forgotten that he is holy; therefore, he will not leave the guilty unpunished.
The theme of blessing and curse, life and death, prosperity and adversity that Moses sets in Deuteronomy, is seen throughout the historical books. When the sons of Israel turn to the Lord God, he blesses them, which means life and prosperity but when they turn away, he curses them, which means death and adversity.
This is the theme of all of Scripture, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ. There is a time when a person can no longer turn to the Lord for forgiveness and restoration. After a person dies, then comes judgment. To choose Christ means life and prosperity in the world to come but to reject Christ means death and eternal punishment. Therefore, chose life in Christ Jesus. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (Jn 14:6-7)
