John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 11:26

"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse:" — Deuteronomy 11:26 (ASV)

Behold, I set before you this day. He now addresses two points at once: namely, that they would be blessed if they earnestly apply themselves to keeping the Law, and cursed if they shake off its yoke and revel in their sinful desires. But, when he says that he here sets before them a blessing and a curse, he is essentially declaring that he does not merely tell them what is right, but that the reward is prepared if they obey; and if not, that the punishment is also at hand.

Thus we see that the doctrine which he had until now delivered is sealed by hope and fear, since they would not lose their labor if they obeyed it, nor be unpunished if they rejected it. But, so that they may learn to embrace the promises with assurance and to fear the threats, he repeats what we have encountered before:²⁰³ that God, who is both a faithful rewarder and a severe judge, is the Author of the Law.

Yet at the same time, he magnifies his own ministry,²⁰⁴ since it was necessary for them to depend upon God and to submit to His commandments, in such a way as to still submit themselves to His Prophet. For such is human pride that people desire to fly above the clouds to listen to God, while He intends to be heard through His servants, by whose mouth He speaks. Moses, therefore, again impresses this humility upon them when he states that he commands what God has commanded, as if to call himself the instrument of the Holy Spirit.

²⁰³ Added in Fr., “Plusieurs fois.”., “Plusieurs fois.”

²⁰⁴ Added in Fr., “Disant que c’est luy qui commande apres Dieu;” saying that it is he who commands after God.., “Disant que c’est luy qui commande apres Dieu;” saying that it is he who commands after God.