27:5,6The LORD had specified an altar made of natural, uncut stones so that the people would not begin worshiping the altars as idols. To use an iron tool on a stone of the altar would be to profane it (Exodus 20:24-25). Additionally, because the Israelites did not have the capacity to work with iron at this time, using iron tools might mean using the cooperation and expertise of other nations.
Life Application Study BibleDeuteronomyChapter 27
Deuteronomy 27
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 296, 297, 298
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
27Deuteronomy 27
The Altar on Mount Ebal
12 Then Moses and the leaders of Israel gave this charge to the people: “Obey all these cornmands that I am giving you today. 2When you cross the Jordan River and enter 27:2 the land the LORD your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plas- Josh 8:30-82 ter. Write this whole body of instruction on them when you cross the river 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 ancestors, promised you. 5When you cross the Jordan, set up these stones at Mount Ebal and coat them with plaster, as I am commanding you today. 6“Then build an altar there to the LORD your God, using natural, uncut stones. You must not shape the stones with an iron tool. sBuild the altar of uncut stones, and use it to offer burnt offerings to the LORD your God. 7Also sacrifice peace offerings on it, and celebrate by feasting there before the LORD your God. 9You must clearly write all these instructions on the stones coated with plaster.” a 9Then Moses and the Levitical priests addressed all Israel as follows: “O Israel, be quiet and listen! Today you have become the people of the LORD your God. 10So you must obey the LORD your God by keeping all these commands and decrees that I am giving you today.”
Curses from Mount Ebal
1111That same day Moses also gave this charge to the people: 12“When you cross the Jordan River, the tribes ‘of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin must stand on Mount Gerizim to proclaim a blessing over the people. 13And the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali must stand on Mount Ebal to proclaim a curse. 14"Then the Levites will shout to all the people of Israel: 15‘Cursed is anyone who carves or casts an idol and secretly sets it up. These idols, the work of craftsmen, are detestable to the LORD.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
16‘Cursed is anyone who dishonors father or mother.’And ail the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
17‘Cursed is anyone who steals property from a neighbor by moving a boundary marker.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
18‘Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person astray on the road.’And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
19‘Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’ 20'Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with one of his father’s wives, for he has violated his father.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
21‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with an animal.’And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
22‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with his sister, whether she is the daughter of his father or his mother.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’ 23‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
24‘Cursed is anyone who attacks a neighbor in secret.’And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
25‘Cursed is anyone who accepts payment to kill an innocent person.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’ 26‘Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and obey the terms of these instructions.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
Blessings for Obedience
‘@ “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands
Life Application Notes 3 notes
27:9,10Moses was reviewing the law with the new generation of people. When we decide to believe in God, we must also decide to follow his ways. What we do shows what we really believe. Can people tell that you are a member of God’s family?
27:15-26These curses were a series of oaths, spoken by the priests and affirmed by the people, by which the people promised to stay away from wrong actions. By saying Amen, “So be it,” the people took responsibility for their actions. Sometimes looking at a list of curses like this gives us the idea that God has a bad temper and is out to crush anyone who steps out of line. But we need to see these restrictions not as threats, but as loving warnings about the plain facts of life. Just as we warn children to stay away from hot stoves and busy streets, God warns us to stay away from dangerous actions. The natural law of his universe makes it clear that wrongdoing toward others or God has tragic consequences. God is merciful enough to tell us this truth plainly. Motivated by Jove and not anger, his strong words help us avoid the serious consequences that result from neglecting God or wronging others. But God does not leave us with only curses or consequences. immediately following these curses, we discover the great blessings (positive consequences) that come from Jiving for God (28:1-14). These give us extra incentive to obey God's laws. While all these blessings may not come in our lifetime on earth, those who obey God will experience the fuliness of his blessing when he establishes the new heaven and the new earth.