23rd February Deuteronomy 27 Mount Ebal
Moses and the elders address the people of Israel, instructing them to follow his commands. He tells them to gather stones in the land the Lord has promised them and cover them with plaster. He guides them to write God’s law on each stone and when they travel to a land flowing with milk and honey they are to place the stones on Mount Ebal and build an altar of them dedicating it to the Lord their God. Moses then instructs them to give burnt offerings and sacrifice fellowship offerings, eating in the presence of God. Moses is very clear the words of the law should be written on the stones.
Moses declared to the people of Israel;
Deuteronomy 27: 9-10 - 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.
Moses later instructed the people when they had crossed the Jordan that a chosen number of tribes should go and bless the people on Mount Gerizim. He also instructed other tribes to utter curses from the summit of Mount Ebal.
The Levites read out a list of curses to the people of Israel that would make them detestable in the Lord’s eyes should they break these commandments. They knew they would be cursed should anyone breach what is written. In a contrite manner, the people responded with an Amen!
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Question:
Why was Moses so insistent that the Israelites should build an altar out of stones inscribed with the words of the law? The people feared the wrath of the curses should they break any of the commandments but why did it fail to keep the Israelites eyes focused on God?
Prayer:
Lord, we should be receptive to your law but we are now saved by grace and the victory against sin and death was won by the blood of Jesus on the cross. Lord it is only by the sacrifice of your son that we can be near to you again. Amen.