“I have set before you today life and prosperity or death and adversity” Even covenant Israel had to choose! This is referring to the blessing and cursing (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28). Remember the choice is set in a covenant of grace. This is very similar to Wisdom Literature’s idiom of the “two ways” (cf. Pro. 4:10-19; Jer. 21:8; Matt. 7:13-14). Our choices show who we are! How we respond to life’s inexplicable “in and outs” reveals our spiritual orientation!

30:16-18 Covenant Conditions and Consequences:

1. the responsibility (cf. 8:6; 19:9; 26:17; 28:9)
a. “to love the Lord,” v. 16 (BDB 12, KB 17, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT)
b. “walk in His ways,” v. 16 (BDB 229, KB 246, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT)
c. “keep His commandments,” v. 16 (BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal INFINITIVE)

2. the consequences of obedience
a. “you may live,” v. 16 (BDB 310, KB 309, Qal PERFECT)
b. “you may multiply,” v. 16 (BDB 915, KB 1156, Qal PERFECT)
c. “your God may bless you,” v. 16 (BDB 138, KB 159, Piel PERFECT)

3. the conditions and consequences of disobedience
a. if your heart turns away,” v. 17 (BDB 815, KB 937, Qal IMPERFECT)
b. “if you will not obey,” v. 17; (BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERFECT)
c. idolatry
   (1) drawn away (BDB 623, KB 673, Niphil PERFECT)
   (2) worship (BDB 1005, KB 295, Hishtaphel PERFECT)
   (3) serve (BDB 712, KB 773, Qal PERFECT)
d. “you shall surely perish,” v. 18 (BDB 1, KB 2, Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and Qal IMPERFECT,which expresses intensity)
e. “you shall not prolong your days,” v. 18 (BDB 73, KB 88, Hiphil IMPERFECT) Notice how v. 20 reinforces these covenant responsibilities so that the Patriarchal blessing can befulfilled! This terminology is characteristic of Deuteronomy.