Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Deuteronomy 28:7—14.
Were you sunburned badly this past summer, saying to yourself: “I should have used sun block!” “Son block”—that is what Jesus is to the kinds of curses described in this reading. Rather than be frightened at the long list of woes that seem to outweigh the blessings, remember that when you are in Jesus, the Son blocks the effects of evil upon your life. If you walk outside of the ways of Jesus, outside of the protection that his Spirit gives, then rays of evil will fall on you mercilessly.
On the cross, Jesus completely exposed himself to the evil and hatred of the world. He “took the heat,” so that you would not have to. In Galatians 3:13 we read: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’”
After each of the curses in the reading, add this comforting refrain: “If it weren’t for Jesus …”
This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Ki Tavo (When You Will Come)
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.
Deuteronomy. 26:1—29:8
Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.
For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information
The Bible Through the Seasons 