Curse or Blessing

O. T. #425  "Curse or Blessing"
December 223, 2014
Deuteronomy 27
Curseth be he that...   (Deuteronomy 27:15-26)

LET IT GLOW

Which do we desire-a curse or a blessing? God tells Israel how they can have one or the other.
Personally, I desire the blessings of God upon my life and family. The grace of God gives us blessings, since the Law is a curse that shows us we are sinners.

Here we have a reminder of the blessings and curses. Moses and the elders give commandments to Israel. Verse 9 continues this with the priests and Levites. Israel is commanded to keep the Law.

What were they commanded to do?
Liberty Bible Commentary tells us:

• When they passed over the Jordan River, Israel was to set up large stones on Mount Ebal, which was the mount of cursings. (Since the Law carried a curse, it is to be expected that the Law was to be written on the mount of cursings.)(verse 2)
• Moses didn't tell the people how many large stones to set up, but he prescribes that they were to be plastered with a coating of lime or gypsum. This is similar to the custom in Egypt where they covered their walls and buildings with lime, then pained them with figures and hieroglyphics. The temporary coating of lime indicated that the writing of the laws on these large stones was not for posterity, but was to be done as a public announcement. they were told to write the laws very plainly.
• Moses was commanded to write all the words of this law. It could be interpreted to mean "write the entire book of Deuteronomy."  Others believe it means they were to write the 613  different commandments contained in the Pentateuch. Others believed they were to select the most significant laws and write them as a symbol for the whole Law. (verse 3)
• After they had written on the stones, God commanded them to build an altar unto the LORD, and construct it with stones. These were to be a different kind of stones, since stones used for sacrifice were to be unhewn stones (Ex. 20:22-25).
• The picture of the Law and the sacrifice together shows the relationship between law and grace. The Law brought a curse upon man because it revealed his sinfulness. (My emphasis) (Gal. 3:13), but the altar was a symbol of the forgiveness grounded in the mercy of God. By connecting the sacrificial ceremony with the Law, Israel was given a practical demonstration of how it could settle the tension between perfection and redemption. 

Do we follow the directions the Lord gives us? Or do we do things our own way?

LET IT GROW

In verse 11-14, we read what happened next.

•  Moses divided the 12 tribes of Israel into two groups, with 6 stationed on the side of Mont Gerazim, facing the valley, and the other 6 stationed on the side of Mount Ebal. The Levites were to stand in the midst of the valley (about 1600 feet across).
• The Levites read the curses in unison, with all the people responding with amen, which means sure; so be it; truth; faithfulness. The entire nation of Israel was involved in one loud praise service to God. The Levites represented more than just the priest; they included the teachers and guardians of the Law, as well as those who carried the ark of the covenant (Joshua 8:30). 
• The 6 tribes who read the blessings were from the two wives of Jacob, Rachel and Leah. Those sons had a higher position in the inheritance.

Let us proclaim that we are all sinful people in need of a Savior. Then let us proclaim the blessings of our God.

LET IT GO

Turn from my sinful ways and follow the Word of God.

Share with others that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Tell others of His blessings that I have experienced in my life.

Praise the Savior, Messiah, King Jesus.