Deuteronomy 27

Deuteronomy 27 outlines instructions for the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Moses commands them to set up large stones, cover them with plaster, and inscribe the laws of God on them once they cross the Jordan. This symbolic act reaffirms their covenant with God. The chapter also describes a ceremony where blessings and curses will be declared on two mountains, symbolizing the choice between obedience and disobedience to God’s law.

Deuteronomy 27:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now Moses, with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying: "Keep all the commandments which I command you today.
2 And it shall be, on the day when you cross over the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourselves large stones, and whitewash them with lime.
3 You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have crossed over, that you may enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’ just as the Lord God of your fathers promised you.

Moses, with the elders, urges the people to uphold all God’s commandments. The stones they are instructed to set up are meant to be a visual reminder of God's laws as they enter the Promised Land. The whitewashing and inscription of the law on these stones symbolized the permanence and visibility of the covenant. The "land flowing with milk and honey" refers to the abundant blessings awaiting them if they are obedient to God’s commands.

Deuteronomy 27:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Therefore it shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that on Mount Ebal you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, and you shall whitewash them with lime.
5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them.

Mount Ebal is chosen as the location for these stones, and the altar to be built there emphasizes simplicity and purity. The command not to use an iron tool indicates that the altar should remain natural, untouched by human craftsmanship, signifying that God’s work is perfect and complete. The altar symbolizes Israel's worship and their dependence on God's provision.

Deuteronomy 27:6-7 (NKJV)
6 You shall build with whole stones the altar of the Lord your God, and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God.
7 You shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there, and rejoice before the Lord your God.

The use of whole stones for the altar shows that worship should not be altered by human hands but remain as God instructed. The burnt offerings represent devotion and atonement, while peace offerings emphasize thanksgiving and fellowship with God. The people are also encouraged to rejoice, recognizing the goodness of God as they celebrate His blessings and their new relationship with Him in the land.

Deuteronomy 27:8 (NKJV)
8 And you shall write very plainly on the stones all the words of this law.

God’s law must be inscribed clearly on the stones so that all the people could easily read and understand it. This shows the importance of accessibility and transparency in following God's instructions. The act of writing the law was a public declaration of Israel’s commitment to live according to God’s commands in the land they were about to enter.

Deuteronomy 27:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Then Moses and the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel, saying, "Take heed and listen, O Israel: This day you have become the people of the Lord your God.
10 Therefore you shall obey the voice of the Lord your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you today."

Moses and the priests remind the people that by entering into the covenant, they are now officially recognized as God’s people. This relationship demands obedience to God's voice and adherence to His laws. The covenant is a two-way agreement where God provides blessings, and Israel must respond with loyalty and obedience.

Deuteronomy 27:11-13 (NKJV)
11 And Moses commanded the people on the same day, saying,
12 "These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin;
13 and these shall stand on Mount Ebal to curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

Moses directs the tribes to divide into two groups, one to pronounce blessings on Mount Gerizim and the other to declare curses on Mount Ebal. This arrangement symbolizes the choice Israel faces—obedience brings blessings, and disobedience results in curses. The geographic split reinforces the stark difference between following or rejecting God’s commands.

Deuteronomy 27:14-15 (NKJV)
14 And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel:
15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’

The Levites begin a series of declarations outlining specific sins that will result in curses. The first curse targets idolatry, which violates the first commandment. By agreeing with “Amen,” the people publicly affirm their commitment to reject idol worship and uphold their covenant with God. This sets the tone for the rest of the curses.

Deuteronomy 27:16 (NKJV)
16 ‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

The command to honor one’s parents is fundamental to Israelite society and reflects the importance of respect within the family. Dishonoring parents undermines the fabric of community life. The people’s affirmation signifies their agreement to uphold family values, which are key to maintaining social stability and covenant faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 27:17 (NKJV)
17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

Moving a neighbor’s landmark is an act of theft, as property boundaries were sacred in ancient Israel. This curse reflects God’s concern for justice and fairness within the community. By affirming this curse, the people agree to respect one another's property and avoid actions that lead to injustice or oppression.

Deuteronomy 27:18 (NKJV)
18 ‘Cursed is the one who makes the blind to wander off the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

This curse targets those who take advantage of the vulnerable. Leading a blind person astray is not only cruel but represents broader injustices against the helpless. The community is called to protect the vulnerable, and by saying "Amen," they commit to a society founded on compassion and integrity.

Deuteronomy 27:19 (NKJV)
19 ‘Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

Justice for the marginalized, including strangers, orphans, and widows, is a central theme in the Old Testament. Perverting justice for these vulnerable groups violates God’s law. By affirming this curse, the Israelites agree to uphold fairness and equity, ensuring the most vulnerable are protected and treated justly within society.

Deuteronomy 27:20-23 (NKJV)
20 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s bed.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
21 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
22 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
23 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

These verses condemn various forms of sexual immorality that violate family and societal boundaries. Incestuous relationships, bestiality, and other sexual sins not only harm individuals but corrupt the moral integrity of the community. The Israelites, by affirming these curses, pledge to maintain sexual purity and honor familial relationships.

Deuteronomy 27:24-26 (NKJV)
24 ‘Cursed is the one who attacks his neighbor secretly.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
26 ‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

These final verses focus on upholding justice, condemning violence, bribery, and disregarding the law. Secret attacks and bribery to harm others show deep corruption. The concluding curse encapsulates the entire law, requiring wholehearted commitment to God’s commands. The people's "Amen" signifies their collective responsibility to obey God and uphold His law.