Blessings and Curses: Deuteronomy’s Covenant of Life and Death. As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses laid before them a choice of breathtaking clarity: blessing or curse, life or death. Deuteronomy 27–30 describes these covenant terms in vivid detail. Obedience would bring fruitfulness and security; rebellion would bring devastation—including unthinkable horrors such as famine so severe that some would resort to cannibalism. This covenant drama still warns and