I recently finished reading the book of Judges and began to consider curses.  There was a serious moral decline within the nation of Israel and the stories recorded in the last few chapters demonstrate some of the depths to which the people fell (or went running head first, which may be more accurate).  As the historical records come near to the end of that era, there is now conflict between the tribes.  Not a particularly noble attitude but eleven of the tribes of Israel turned against the tribe of Benjamin (honestly, it seemed for good reason, but I think their response was “in kind” which did not accomplish anything good).  These words, recorded in scripture, started me to thinking about curses:  “Cursed be he who gives a wife to Benjamin” (Judges 21:10).

About the same time as I was reading Judges, I was also reading a book called, The Gospel For Real Life by Jerry Bridges, and he writes about the curse of the Law in the chapter called Ransomed!  The reality is that every person has a curse hanging over his or her head and that curse started at the beginning of time, as we know it.  Sadly, many people think that they can break the curse by their own efforts and goodness, but the Bible quickly puts that notion to rest by stating None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one (Romans 3:10-12 – the apostle Paul quoting the Psalmist).

Of course, my self-righteous nature protests that statement, but I also believe the Bible, and God graciously gives me many opportunities to see my true nature!  The reality is that every person is cursed by sin because in ourselves we just cannot be good enough to satisfy a good God!  (Do you remember the story of Moses, when he asked God to show him His glory?  It was necessary for Moses to hide his face when God’s goodness passed before him, otherwise he would have been incinerated!) –we have no concept of “being good” compared to God’s goodness!

In goodness, God made a plan to remove every curse from our lives through the death of Jesus—For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed by everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them”…. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”…  (Galatians 3:13).

I think that is pretty basic Christianity—most everyone agrees, for by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  The problem I see is our willingness to come back under the curse, either to “help God out”, or because we think Jesus’ blood was not good enough to get the job done.

Saved by grace, plus…. –keeping these rules, outward adherence to particular laws or Mosaic regulations without the inward working of the Holy Spirit to build the spiritual principles into our lives.  Another curse that hung over my head for years was a teaching on tithe based on Malachi 3:9 – You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.  That curse was nailed to the cross in the person of Jesus!  There are definitely New Covenant principles for giving.  Based on the understanding that everything belongs to God, give, and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you (Luke 6:38).  Jesus brings blessing, not curses, however people are very happy to shackle you with a curse!

No human being can tame the tongue (but the Holy Spirit can!).  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not to be so!  (James 3:8-10)

Careless words can curse people, but no curse can stick unless we give it a place in our hearts.  God has a unique way of turning curses into blessings (see the story of Balaam in Numbers 23, 24).  It is good to know that God has a blessing for every disparaging word spoken against us—we just need to remember His goodness!

God promises favor instead of curses!

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.  For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield (Psalm 5:12).

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that with come through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Philippians 3:7-9).

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.  O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!  (Psalm 84:11, 12)

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.  For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime!  (Psalm 30:4, 5)

Since Jesus lives in us through faith, and the Father loves the Son, then it stands to reason that the Father loves us, and we are all His favorite children!  I just cannot help but rejoice!