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Deuteronomy 27 Blessings and Curses

1 The Altar on Mount Ebal
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 fathers, 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 upon 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.”

9 Curses From Mount Ebal
Then Moses and the priests, who are Levites, said to all Israel, “Be silent, O 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 the man who carves an image or casts an idol—a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of the craftsman’s hands—and sets it up in secret.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

16 “Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

17 “Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

18 “Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

19 “Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

20 “Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he dishonors his father’s bed.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

21 “Cursed is the man who has sexual relations with any animal.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

22 “Cursed is the man 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 the man who sleeps with his mother-in-law.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

24 “Cursed is the man who kills his neighbor secretly.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

25 “Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

26 “Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

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Analysis of Deuteronomy Chapter 27

Deuteronomy 27 is a significant chapter that marks a critical moment in the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel. It underscores themes of obedience, divine instruction, and the importance of publicly affirming the covenant. This chapter includes detailed instructions for a ceremonial event on Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, which involves writing the Law on stones, building an altar, and pronouncing blessings and curses. The analysis that follows delves into each section of the chapter to unpack its rich theological and historical significance.

Verses 1-3: Command to Set Up Stones and Write the Law

The chapter opens with Moses and the elders of Israel commanding the people to keep all the commandments. Moses instructs them to set up large stones and coat them with plaster when they cross the Jordan River. On these stones, they are to write all the words of the Law very clearly.

This directive serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it acts as a physical and permanent reminder of the Law. The use of stones signifies durability and longevity, suggesting that the Law is meant to be eternal and unchanging. Secondly, plastering the stones and writing on them in clear letters ensures that the Law is accessible to everyone, not just to religious or social elites. This reflects an inclusive approach, emphasizing that the covenant is for the entire community of Israel.

Verses 4-8: Instructions for Mount Ebal

Following the directive to write the Law on stones, Moses commands that these stones be set up on Mount Ebal, an altar be built with uncut stones, and burnt offerings and fellowship offerings be sacrificed on it. The altar should have no iron tools used upon it, preserving the stones in their natural state.

This act of building an altar with uncut stones is symbolic. It represents the purity and sanctity of the worship of God, untouched by human hands or tools, indicating that divine worship should remain unaltered by human intervention. The sacrifices signal worship, atonement, and fellowship with God, reinforcing the community’s commitment to the covenant through both symbolic and literal acts of dedication.

The act of writing the Law on the stones also has theological significance. It echoes the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, where God’s Law was likewise inscribed on stone tablets. This repetition strengthens the continuity of the covenant from Sinai to Canaan, underscoring that the Law remains binding and central to Israel’s identity and relationship with God.

Verses 9-10: Call to Obedience

Moses and the Levitical priests address all Israel, declaring that they have become the people of the Lord their God. They urge them to obey the Lord’s commands and decrees faithfully.

This statement is a reaffirmation of identity and covenant. Declaring that they have become God’s people reestablishes the relationship that was forged at Sinai. The emphasis on obedience highlights the conditional nature of the blessings and curses that will follow in the subsequent verses. Obedience is not just a duty but an act that solidifies their unique status as God’s chosen people.

Verses 11-13: Assignment of Tribes for Blessings and Curses

Six tribes are designated to stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings, while the other six are assigned to stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses. This division of tribes for blessings and curses is noteworthy.

Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal serve as natural amphitheaters for the public proclamation of blessings and curses. These two opposing mountains provide a stark visual representation of the outcomes of obedience and disobedience. The assembly on these mountains underscores that the consequences of their actions (obedience or disobedience) will be publicly acknowledged and cannot be ignored.

Verses 14-26: Pronouncement of Curses

The Levites are instructed to proclaim a series of curses, which represent violations of the Law. Each curse begins with “Cursed is anyone who…” and concludes with the people responding, “Amen,” thereby affirming their agreement and understanding of the consequences of such actions.

The list of curses includes various transgressions, primarily focusing on breaches of social and religious obligations, such as idolatry, dishonoring parents, deception, perverting justice, and various ethical violations. The repeated “Amen” from the people signifies a collective and conscious commitment to uphold the Law and a mutual acknowledgment of communal responsibility.

This section emphasizes accountability and the idea that sin has communal repercussions. Individual actions can affect the entire community, and therefore, the community must jointly uphold the covenant standards. The pronouncement of curses without an immediate enumeration of blessings serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of disobedience.

Theological and Practical Implications

  • Public Commitment: The instructions for public ceremonies, writing the Law, and pronouncing blessings and curses emphasize the necessity of communal and public affirmation of faith. This collective aspect reinforces social cohesion and mutual accountability in maintaining covenantal obligations.
  • Accessibility and Permanence: Inscribing the Law on stones and making it clearly readable symbolizes the importance of accessibility to divine instructions. The permanence of stone underscores the unchanging nature of God’s covenant and commandments.
  • Obedience and Consequences: The juxtaposition of blessings and curses on the two mountains highlights the clear moral choices before the Israelites. It teaches that obedience brings life and blessings, while disobedience leads to curses and death, emphasizing the stark consequences of moral and spiritual choices.
  • Covenantal Identity: Repeated affirmations of Israel’s identity as God’s people connect individual and communal obedience to their sense of identity and purpose. This relationship with God forms the core of their national and spiritual existence.
  • Symbolic Worship: The uncut stones for the altar symbolize purity and the need for worship to remain undefiled by human manipulation. This reflects an ideal of divine worship that is sincere, authentic, and unadulterated.

Contemporary Reflections

Deuteronomy 27 offers valuable insights for contemporary readers on the importance of communal faith practices, the enduring relevance of divine laws, and the necessity of public commitment to ethical standards. The chapter’s emphasis on clear, accessible, and permanently inscribed divine instructions reminds modern believers of the necessity of making their faith and values transparent and enduring. In a world where ethical standards can sometimes appear fluid and subjective, this chapter calls for a return to clearly defined, communal, and divinely inspired moral guidelines.

Furthermore, the public proclamation of blessings and curses can be seen as a form of accountability that is often missing in contemporary religious practice. Publicly affirming the consequences of one’s actions before a community provides a strong deterrent against moral lapses and encourages collective support for ethical living.

In addition, the symbolic nature of worship presented in this chapter challenges believers to strive for purity in their relationship with God. The uncut stones of the altar remind us to approach divine worship with sincerity and humility, avoiding the temptations of superficiality or manipulation in our spiritual practices.

Conclusion

Deuteronomy 27 stands as a powerful chapter that reinforces the critical themes of obedience, accountability, and communal faith. By instructing the Israelites to publicly inscribe and affirm the Law, build symbolic altars, and collectively pronounce blessings and curses, the chapter underscores the enduring responsibilities and identity of God’s people. These themes transcend time, offering enduring lessons for contemporary readers about the importance of clear, accessible faith practices, communal responsibility, and sincere, unadulterated worship. The chapter challenges us to reaffirm our commitment to divine teachings, recognize the communal impact of our actions, and strive for purity and integrity in our relationship with God.