D28-11: How Yeshua’s Sermon On The Mount Perfectly Parallels Moses’ Sermon In Deuteronomy 28

Today I want to point out something really interesting in Deuteronomy Chapter 28.

Notice how in verse 8 Moses begins describing the blessings by first declaring that all of the people’s labor will be blessed and all of their barns will be filled abundantly with produce.

However, while in the midst of reciting all of these blessings, Moses suddenly STOPS and reminds Israel of the following in verse 15:

“But if you refuse to pay attention to what Adonai your God says, and do not observe and obey all his mitzvot and regulations which I am giving you today, then all the following curses will be yours in abundance:”

Why am I bringing this up?

Because we find a direct and I mean a DIRECT parallel with Yeshua’s Sermon on the Mount.

This is actually one of those great examples showing just how much the New Testament parallels the Torah.

Take a look at the opening verses of Yeshua’s Sermon on the Mount.

Just as here in Deuteronomy 28, in Yeshua’s sermon on the mount, we get a list of blessings.

But then, just like Moses’ sermon on the mount, there is a pregnant pause and then starting from verse 17 Yeshua reminds his listeners of the following.

“Don’t think that I have come to abolish
the Torah or the Prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to complete.
Yes indeed!
I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away,
not so much as a yud or a stroke
will pass from the Torah
— not until everything that must happen has happened.
So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot and
teaches others to do so will be called
the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.
But whoever obeys them and so teaches
will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness is
far greater than that of the Torah-teachers and P’rushim,
you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”
-Matthew 5:17-20

Do you notice how in BOTH cases the many blessings are recited one after another…

…and then there is a PAUSE…

…and then…

…the Mediator of Israel…

…stops to remind the people that it is the OBEDIENCE to the Lord’s commands that is the price that must be paid to join and remain in HASHEM’s covenant.

Let’s also take a look at what Paul had to say in the matter as he certainly doesn’t mince his words.

“But if some of the branches were broken off,
and you- a wild olive- were grafted in among them
and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree,
then don’t boast as if you were better than the branches!
However, if you do boast,
remember that you are not supporting the root,
the root is supporting you.
So you will say, “Branches were broken off
so that I might be grafted in.”
True, but so what?
They were broken off because of their lack of trust.
However, you keep your place only because of your trust.
So don’t be arrogant; on the contrary, be terrified!
For if God did not spare the natural branches,
he certainly won’t spare you!
So take a good look at God’s kindness and his severity:
on the one hand, severity toward those who fell off;
but, on the other hand, God’s kindness toward you-
if you maintain yourself in that kindness!
Otherwise, you too will be cut off!“
-Romans 11:17-22

Do you see how just as in the Mosaic Covenant, the operative word “IF” is used in Paul’s sermon?

Paul is saying you will only stay in HASHEM’s good graces IF you maintain yourself in that kindness.

Here’s an interesting exercise to do.

Print out both Deuteronomy 28 and Matthew 5 and keep them in handy in a folder for quick and easy retrieval.

Then whenever you come across those folks who say the “Old” Testament is dead and gone or that attempting to obey God’s Law is a thing of the past and has no place in the life of a “New Testament believer”, have them compare and contrast Moses’ Sermon on the Mount in Deuteronomy 28 with Yeshua’s Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.

The results just might be quite astonishing.

I feel sorry for the person who still holds to the belief that to obey the Lord’s written commands is legalism and something to be avoided like the plague.

That person is standing on a very slippery slope indeed!