Deuteronomy 27:1-26
Q.1. How were the terms of the Covenant to be driven home to Israel after entering the Promised Land? What importance was placed on the Ten Commandments? – (Dt.27:1-10)
Once the nation had entered the Promised Land, they were to erect large stones with lime painted on them. Then the Ten Commandments were to be inscribed on these stones as a memorial – You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very distinctly.” (Dt.27:8). They were to be placed on Mount Ebal, the mountain from which the curses for breaking the Covenant were proclaimed. This underscored the incompleteness of the Law, which was intended by God to be a tutor to lead us to the Saviour (Gal.3:23-25). An altar was to be built in that place for blood sacrifices and peace offerings, which were to be made to God (Dt.27:5-7). All this was to reinforce the basis for tenure in – … the land which the Lord your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you (Dt.27:3). The Levitical priests were then to address all Israel – 9 … This day you have become a people for the Lord your God. 10 You shall therefore obey the Lord your God and do His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.” (Dt.27:9-10).
Q.2. What other national declaration would underscore the curses and blessings of the Covenant? What impact would this have upon the tribes of Israel? – (Dt.27:11-14)
The Lord had another national act, which He used to drive home the importance of the Covenant that would involve all the people of Israel. The people were to be divided evenly between the twelve tribes – six tribes would take their stand on Mount Gerizim, and six tribes on Mount Ebal (Dt.27:12-13). The Levites would then cry out with a loud voice and declare all the curses that would come upon them all if they disobeyed the terms of the Covenant (Dt.27:14).
Q.3. What were the curses promised for breaches with God and others? How were all the people expected to respond? Do such laws still apply? – (Dt.27:15-26)
The Levites then spelled out the curses for turning from their worship of God. They also detailed the breaches between family and social relationships that would incur the wrath of God. To each curse, the people would answer no less than twelve times – … And all the people shall answer and say, `Amen.’ (Dt.27:15-26). The New Testament instructs us to keep from idols, honour our parents, abstain from sexual immorality, and to be just in our dealings with others. However, even God’s children still sin, and are incapable of meeting the Law’s demands. The good news is that we who fall under the curse are no longer under condemnation, since the sinless Christ became a curse for us (Gal.3:10-14).