Year 1, Week 22, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 22, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Deuteronomy 27.

Today’s reading describes an altar that was to be set up when Israel crossed the Jordan to enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 27, stresses the importance of obedience to the requirements of the Covenant, by noting the curses that would come upon them as a result of disobedience. Today’s reading is linked to our next day’s reading as Deuteronomy 28 is the counterpart as it notes the blessings that would come upon them as a result of obedience. After the long exposition from Deuteronomy 6-25, which explained applications rooted in the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy 27-28 underscore to Israel that it needs to obey the LORD in all that He has declared. Together, these two chapters profoundly shape how we read the rest of the Old Testament, as we attempt to make sense of Israel’s struggle to experience blessings in the Land and avoid the curses that befall them due to their unfaithfulness.

One of the things that struck me in today’s reading was the role that the LORD places on the curses as a means to drive His people back to Himself: “Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD. Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:16-18). Today’s reading of curses comes immediately after the application of the Law. After Israel crossed the Jordan they were to gather on two mountains, which were located in the Promised Land, for the purpose of declaring the curses but also blessings that were a part of the Covenant: “And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster. And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones…That day Moses charged the people, saying, “When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people” (Deuteronomy 27:4-5,11-12). In what appears to be an antiphonal arrangement, half of the tribes would stand on Mt. Ebal and declare the curses that would result from disobedience, while the other half would stand on Mt. Gerizim and declare the blessing that would result from obedience. 

This is not the first mention of Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim in Deuteronomy. Moses had already alluded to these two mountains in the context of curses and blessings: “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.” (Deuteronomy 11:28-28). The activity that would take place on these mountains was a part of the formal renewal of the Mosaic Covenant first established with the first generation of Israelites at Mt. Sinai. Now, the second generation of Israelites are rehearsing the stipulations of the Covenant, and renewing their commitment to it. Israel is to obey the terms of the Covenant. If they obey the Covenant, it will be like Eden for them; if they do not obey the Covenant, it will be like being cast out of Eden.

This formal renewal of the Mosaic Covenant entailed the people themselves calling down curses upon themselves if they disobeyed: “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the LORD, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’” (Deuteronomy 27:15). What follows is eleven more curses, culminating with: “Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” (Deuteronomy 27:26). The LORD has built His world with a moral law built into it. The consequences of rejecting His Law are never good; the consequences of embracing His Law are always good. The LORD’s intention in specifying the curses is to incline His people to obedience. These curses are meant to be seen as unattractive and to be avoided, for disobedience brings shame and trouble.

The New Covenant makes some level of adjustment in matters of curse and shame, for Jesus has come to rescue His people by taking our curse and shame: “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” (Hebrews 13:12-13). Nevertheless, there are still consequences to disobedience, which can bring about trouble and shame, as just a few New Testament examples show u: “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed” (2Thessalonians 3:13); and, "Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34); or, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8). Even though the grace of Christ saves us from the curse of the Law and the shame that comes with disobedience, we can ignore what Christ has done and through disobedience, bring trouble and shame into our lives.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe