In chapters 10 and 11 Moses makes his closing appeal before he starts to review and apply the various laws that would govern the lives of the people in the Promises Land. The people were to fear the Lord their God, to walk in His ways, to love Him, and to serve Him with all their heart and with all their soul.
In chapter 11 Moses makes it clear that the real issue is the heart. If the people truly loved God with all their heart they would obey His Word. Moses continually warns them that they could not live as they pleased, but they must comply with the instructions of God. The land of Canaan was not like the land of Egypt. Now that the people were in Canaan they would have to depend on the Lord watering their crops by the rains from heaven, which would come twice a year. The fruitfulness of the land depended on the rain from heaven, but if the people disobeyed God He would not send rain. As we continue our reading we will notice that rain was withheld several times in Israel's history.
In verses 26-32 there is set before the people the choice of a blessing or a curse. If they obeyed the commandments of the Lord they would receive a blessing, but if they disobeyed them they would receive a curse.
To obey is better than to sacrifice. God's desire for His children is that we obey His Word. The basic principle of obedience has never changed in the sight of God. If God's people will obey His Word, He will bless them, but if they disobey, He will chasten them. Obedience will keep you from sin and chastisement. Obedience is the key to complete happiness as a Christian.
