Read Deuteronomy 27
The Altar on Mount Ebal
27 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands that I give you today. 2 When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. 3 Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. 5 Build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool on them. 6 Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. 7 Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord your God. 8 And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up.”
Curses From Mount Ebal
9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. 10 Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.”
11 On the same day Moses commanded the people:
12 When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. 13 And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.
14 The Levites shall recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
15 “Cursed is anyone who makes an idol—a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of skilled hands—and sets it up in secret.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
16 “Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
17 “Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
18 “Cursed is anyone who leads the blind astray on the road.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
19 “Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
20 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he dishonors his father’s bed.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
21 “Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with any animal.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
22 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
23 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
24 “Cursed is anyone who kills their neighbor secretly.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
25 “Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
26 “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
Go Deeper
In this chapter, we see a clear calling to take action, provide clarity, and declare truth. So often, we think that we have heard sermons over certain passages before, so we can tune it out. We know John 3:16, we know the gospel, we know the Great Commission, we know the basics. Let’s get to the deeper, more intense theology! However, if we are not applying the “basics” on a consistent basis and truly internalizing them, then we simply do not know what we think we know.
In Deuteronomy 27, God has called the people to raise an altar to Him. They have heard the law and guidance from Moses, and they know the information. Now it is time for them to not only be hearers of the Word, but also doers of the Word. We also see that they are commanded to “write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.” God did not say, “Write down the law and use as many big words as possible to make yourself sound smart.” God desires that all would know Him and keep His commandments. He wants His law accessible to all.
In our own lives, sometimes pride can get in the way of living out the Great Commission. Instead of sharing the gospel, we want to debate a topic that we feel is “above” the gospel. We believe the gospel should be shared in children’s ministries, but not with us smart and wise adults. This could not be further from the truth. In Matthew 18:2-4, Jesus clearly tells us that those who have the faith of a child will inherit the kingdom of heaven. This is not to say we should not push deeper in our theology and understanding of Scripture. However, we must also not let our “pursuit of knowledge” be an excuse to actually avoid doing what God has called us to do.
At the end of the chapter, we see that they are to declare truth openly. Not only are they called to build an altar, but they are also commanded to “declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice” laws that are to be engraved on the altar. These laws would cause a stir and perhaps some potential persecution to come upon its declarers. However, they are told to stand firm and declare the truth openly and clearly.
God has called each of us to declare the truth as well. It might get us fired, kicked out of groups, shunned by friends or family members, and more. However, none of this compares to the persecution the early Church encountered or the persecution our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing as we read this right now in other places around the world.
Do we trust that God is worth the persecution that will come when we declare truth? Are we ready to take action? Are we willing to be humble enough to embrace the simplicity and power of the gospel?
Questions
- What is keeping you from boldly declaring the truth?
- What are you willing to lose by declaring the truth?
- How can you declare the truth in a loving, humble, easily understood way?
Did You Know?
Mount Ebal (where Moses instructed the Israelites to build an altar) is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. To see where it is on a map and where else it’s mentioned, check out this helpful resource.
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3 thoughts on “Deuteronomy 27”
God’s law was crux of the matter as he instructed them to write all the terms of the law upon “stones of remembrance” and then speak them aloud in the assembly. His greatest desire was that they would write them upon the tables of their hearts, so they would not sin and endure tragic consequences. Every restriction was for their good and protection. God in his mercy plainly tells his people the truth.
Chapter 27 and 28 mark the arrival of Israel into the Promised Land, Canaan. The ceremonies are specifically to take place at Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim. There the curses and the blessings of the Covenant of Moses will be pronounced. God provides a place of rememberance for the ceremonies to take place and also one of beauty, as well as an ampitheater type situation. God is so amazing with His details. God has them acutually looking into their future living, on that promised land, with Moses. He wants them to remember all that their people have been through to get to this place. He is giving an instruction stone tablet as a way to keep these ideas of staying in His good graces. We have a Bible. They had to hear the previous words about God spoken, over and over to be able to remember it. There was some of it written but that was only for the priests and Holy men, not for the common lay people.
Even now, today we are to remember and tell our children or our people what God has done and is doing in our lives. Sharing the Good News and how God has blessed you throughout your journey.
He gives a list of do’s and dont’s, with all God’s people saying “amen” or so be it for me and my household.
God thank You for being so detailed. I believe the world around has missed so many details of Your Word. Thank You for uncovering a few every time I read Your Words. God help me to live them out. Help me to know, understand and gain the ability to stand firm on what I do know Your Word states. Even if it makes me not in the “in” group or helps me seem even more odd. God I want to be “AWED and ODD for You!!! Thank You for helping me to be strong, help me to die to selfishness and people pleasing. I want to be God pleasing. God thank You for the minutes of this day. Thank You for joy unspeakable and effervesing overflowing love to those I am around today in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
27 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands that I give you today.
God is specific in these instructions to keep ALL the commandments. In my brokenness I am selective to obey the tangible commandments and struggle with the others, but the good news is that Jesus did on our behalf. This is the beauty of the Gospel. God, help me to obey everything I see in Your Word. I confess my disobedience and ask Your forgiveness in Jesus’ name, Amen.