[JFK_Lib]

And I didn't say that God doesn't bless us when we do good things. I just said that there isn't anything we can do to EARN those things. Doing "good" is a byproduct of having salvation, and having God in our lives and hearts, which is a gift that we cannot earn.

Heheh, now you are splitting semantical hairs?

To whatever extent Deuteronomy means it in chapter 27 and 28, I mean it too - God punishes and REWARDS us based on how we behave as a nation on this Earth.

This is not a discussion of ones personal salvation, but only of national fate in terms of national blessings or national curses.

[melbell]

"This is not a discussion of ones personal salvation, but only of national fate in terms of national blessings or national curses."

Ok, fair enough. As I didn't read the passage I guess I just didn't know what you were referring to.

Assuming (having not read it, I can only assume) that the passage means what you say it does, I figure it's quite possible that we lost that blessing long ago. :(