Deuteronomy 28:13 (NLT) “The Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.”
When God spoke these words through Moses, He was speaking to the nation of Israel. He was describing the blessing that would come as they listened to Him, obeyed His commands, and walked in His ways. Israel would become the head and not the tail—strong rather than being oppressed and brought into submission by pagan nations. He would help them become influential rather than dominated, and be a nation that leads and shows the world God's ways rather than continually being led by the pagan nations around them.
We live under the New Covenant today, so we don’t simply take every promise God made specifically to Israel and claim it for ourselves without understanding its context. But there is a powerful principle here that reveals something about God and His ways: that is, walking closely with God produces fruitfulness. I believe that is one of the best definitions of biblical success. Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” — John 15:8 (NIV)
God’s success is fruitfulness in accordance with His purpose for your life. So, what does that look like in everyday life? It might mean becoming a better husband or wife because God’s Word teaches you to listen, forgive, serve, and love each other. It could mean raising children who learn faith, responsibility, integrity, and respect because they see those qualities modeled in you.
At work, it might mean becoming the person others can depend on—the one who keeps his word, works diligently, treats people well, solves problems instead of creating them, and can be trusted when no one is watching.
Financially, God’s wisdom can teach you stewardship, generosity, patience, and self-control.
In friendships, you can become someone who encourages, speaks truth in love, prays, and helps others make wise decisions.
Simply put, wherever God places you, things should increasingly become better because you’re there. That’s fruitfulness. And that’s one way I understand the principle of being “the head and not the tail.” God teach you—teaching His people how to walk in His ways and be fruitful.
It doesn’t mean you’re better than other people. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll have more money, hold the highest position, or avoid hardship. It means you’re learning to influence rather than merely be influenced, lead rather than simply follow, and lift others rather than merely look after yourself. Your life becomes and example in bearing fruit throughout the areas of your life. That is being the head and not the tail.
Something happens when you consistently walk with God. His Word shapes your thinking. His wisdom affects your decisions. His Spirit develops your character. You grow in integrity, diligence, patience, faithfulness, compassion, courage, self-control, and discernment. Those qualities have real-life consequences.
Over they years, God teaches you forgiveness, and your relationships become healthier. He teaches you self-control, and you stop making impulsive decisions that hurt you. He teaches you diligence, and your work improves. He teaches you humility, and you become teachable. He teaches you faith, and fear stops controlling your decisions. He teaches you wisdom, and you begin recognizing problems before walking straight into them.
Imagine the difference those qualities can make over twenty, thirty, or forty years! That’s why walking in God’s ways can position you differently in this world—not because you’re superior to anyone, but because God’s ways work. They bear fruit—something every person desires for their life!
Daniel is a wonderful example: “Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” — Daniel 6:3 (NIV) I love that phrase: “Daniel so distinguished himself.” His relationship with God showed up in the way he lived. That’s God’s kind of success.
You might own a business or work for someone else. You might manage hundreds of people or no one. You might be raising children, enjoying retirement, serving at church, caring for someone you love, or simply trying to be a good neighbor. The position isn’t what determines success. Fruitfulness does.
Ask yourself: Is my family stronger because of the person I’m becoming? Does my workplace benefit because I’m there? Are my decisions becoming wiser? Do people become encouraged, strengthened, or wiser through my influence? Am I becoming more useful to God and others? And here’s an important truth: God’s blessing doesn’t merely help you rise; it equips you to help others rise.
God gives you wisdom, and you give wisdom away. God develops character in you, and your example influences others. God teaches you to overcome something, and eventually you help someone else overcome it. That’s why being the head isn’t primarily about being above people. It’s about being positioned by God to lift people and help them become better! That is being fruitful! That is being the head and not the tail!
Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NIV) “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him… They will be like a tree planted by the water… and never fails to bear fruit.”
Prayer: Father, help me walk closely with You and allow Your Word and Spirit to shape every area of my life. Teach me your wisdom and help me to be faithful, fruitful, and a blessing wherever You have placed me. As You strengthen and bless my life, use me to lift and strengthen others. May the fruit of my life always bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
