Deuteronomy 27:11-26 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Deuteronomy 27:11-26. Let’s go!
Deuteronomy 27:11-26 (NIV)
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!”
On verses 11-26: Here Moses tells half the Israelite tribes to stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings on the people (v12). He tells the other half of the Israelite tribes to stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses on the people (v13). Then he tells the Levites to pronounce 11 curses and have all the people say “Amen!” after each one (v14-26).
What can we learn from this?
1. The beginning of a repentant heart is when I say “Amen!” to God’s Word. “Amen” simply means “I agree”. When I agree with God that I have disobeyed God’s commands, that my sin separates me from Him and brings a curse, and that I need God’s forgiveness, that is when I give the Holy Spirit room to work in my life. Repentance always begins with agreeing that God’s standards are perfect and that I need a Saviour.
2. If we had to choose between living on Mount Gerizim where blessings were pronounced and living on Mount Ebal where curses were pronounced, many of us would probably choose Mount Gerizim. We want to go where the blessings are. But remember this: on Mount Ebal where the curses were pronounced, they also built an altar of stones (Deuteronomy 27:4). In other words, in the very place where Moses pronounced curses on the people if they sinned, Moses also set up an altar where sacrifices could be made to atone for their sins. Aren’t you glad that for every sin, God provided an altar where a sacrifice could be made to pay for that sin? Where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Romans 5:20)!
Maybe you feel like lately you’ve been living on Mount Ebal — you find yourself messing up often, sinning frequently and all over the place. Know this: in the very place where your sin ought to bring you a curse, God provides an atoning sacrifice for your sin through Jesus Christ. He turns your Mount Ebal from a place of curses to a place of grace, forgiveness and blessing.
Thank You, Lord Jesus. I say “Amen” to the fact that I have sinned against you in so many ways. When I was living on Mount Ebal, full of sin and curses, You got up on a hill called Calvary and died for me. Your sacrifice on the cross canceled my sins. You turned my curse into a blessing. Thank You for the grace, forgiveness and blessing that flow into my life all because of Your love! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
