When we hear this phrase we automatically think of a coin being tossed.  If our coin lands with heads up we are in the positive for whatever decision this was to determine.  If our coin lands with tails up we are in the negative.

Inspiration uses these terms, “heads” and “tails” in the book of Deuteronomy (28:13, 44).  Again, heads being in the positive and tails in the negative.

Moses, in writing this chapter, reminds the people of all the curses they will endure should they not ‘observe carefully all of God’s commandments and statutes’ (vs. 15).  The people would endure sickness and disease, they would be defeated by their enemies, locusts would consume all their trees and produce, they would be so crazed with hunger that they would eat their own children, and aliens would be the “head.”

But, on the “other side of the coin,” if the people diligently obeyed God and observed carefully all His commandments the Lord would set them high above all nations of the earth.  He promised to bless them in every way.  They would have many children, much livestock, plenty of food.  They would be ‘the head and not the tail’ (vs. 13).

They are also reminded, “You shall be above only, and not beneath if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God and are careful to observe them…you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day…” (vs. 13-14).

Though we live under the law of Christ obedience is still demanded by God. Children are to be obedient to parents, wives to husbands, servants to masters, congregations to elders (Acts 5:29; Eph. 6:1; I Cor. 144, 35; Eph. 6:5; Heb. 13:17).

Our obedience will never be a perfect obedience, but because God’s grace has appeared to us all (Tit. 2:11-13), Heaven is attainable.  We can be “heads” and not “tails” if we deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously and godly.  –Becky Honeycutt

****New “Deeper Insights” post (God and Human suffering) by Beth Johnson