Why God Blesses Israel Directly but Lets Curses Come on Their Own

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Balak 18:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[Another interpretation of (Numbers 23:8): HOW SHALL I CURSE WHOM GOD HAS NOT CURSED?] At the time when he commanded them concerning the blessings and the curses, in the blessings he mentioned them, as it is said (Deuteronomy 27:12): "These shall stand to bless the people, etc." But in the curses he did not claim them, as it is said (ibid. v. 13): "And these shall stand for the curse on Mount Ebal." And furthermore, when they sin and it is proposed to bring a curse upon them, it is not written that He is the one who brings them; rather, with the blessings He blesses them. For thus it says (ibid. 28:1): "And it shall be, if you diligently obey," (ibid. v. 2:) "then the LORD your God will set you on high," (ibid. v. 8:) "the LORD will command the blessing to be with you." But with the curses (ibid. v. 15): "And it shall be, if you do not obey [etc.], then they shall come upon you" — of their own accord. Thus: HOW SHALL I CURSE WHOM GOD HAS NOT CURSED?

Themes

Divine ProvidenceCovenant

Biblical References

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