NOTES for Deu 28:1-34
The conditions attached to the blessings and curses in this chapter are expressed in two requirements: to listen to the voice of the Lord and to carry out His commandments. This reminds us of two fundamental aspects of a person's relationship with God: receiving revelation and responding to it appropriately. It is no coincidence that the apostle (Heb 11:1) defines faith as “the assurance of things unseen” (hearing God) and “the realization of things hoped for” (the human response).
These two aspects are inseparable. For if we know God's will but do not carry it out, we turn away from Him. Conversely, if we carry out the commandments without listening to His will, the commandments themselves threaten to lead us away from God into legalism and pharisaic blindness. Blessing, however—the expression of God's love for us—is the fruit of hearing and doing.