Deuteronomy 29-30
We should all read Deuteronomy 30 again and again. Come and see God’s heart here. Despite the caricature of God as somehow delighting in punishing the smallest infractions, we see here a God Who longs to bless His people, if only they (we) would turn to Him with their (our) whole hearts. Even though God knows full well that His people are willful and stubborn, He nevertheless offers them life, His life. Even though He sees a future wherein His people must suffer all the curses due to their rebellion, He nevertheless calls them back to Himself and promises restoration.
Taste and see that the LORD is good! Take a good long look at the steadfast love and mercy of God here. Then take a look at your own heart. Are you following the LORD with all your heart, or are you drifting away a little here and a little there (or maybe a lot here and there)? Is drifting away worth it? You know it’s not. So make the right choice. Give yourself to the LORD, Who is your life. (Dt. 30:20; Colossians 3:4)
One more thing…
You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. And you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them. Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, “I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.” This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.
Deuteronomy 29:16–19
Hebrews 12:15 references this passage, saying that we should not allow a “root of bitterness” to spring up. I often hear folks partially quote Hebrews 12:15, mentioning the “root of bitterness” and they almost always mean that we should not let anger and resentment fester so as to “take root” as bitterness. I do not disagree with that advice, but that is not at all what this “root of bitterness” is talking about, neither in Hebrews 12:15 nor here in Deuteronomy. Read it again and see for yourself what is really being said in these passages. Maybe we need to study the Scriptures more carefully and be more comprehensive in our understanding.