Deuteronomy 27:11-26 - Living a curse-proved life

At the beginning of Deuteronomy 27, Moses instructed the children of Israel on a few things they had to do once they had entered the promised land. They had to build lime plastered stone monuments and have the Ten Commandments inscribed distinctly on them to remind them of God’s instructions. Then they were told to build an altar of uncut stones to sacrifice a burnt offering and a peace offering. Both the stone monuments and altar would be set on Mount Ebal, where they would worship, celebrate, and rejoice in the presence of the  Lord. Opposite Mount Ebal and separated by the valley of Shechem was another mountain known as Mount Gerizim.    

After the first few things were done, the twelve tribes of Israel were divided into two groups of six tribes each. One group comprising the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin, would be stationed at Mount Gerizim. The other group comprising the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali would station at  Mount Ebal. Since Moses was forfeited from entering the promised land, it seems apparent that the Levitical priests were assigned to read or to pronounce the blessings and the curses. When the blessings were pronounced, the group on Mount Gerizim would corporately respond with an “Amen.” Likewise, the group on Mount Ebal would respond with an “Amen” when the curses were pronounced.  

In Joshua 8:30-34 when this ceremony was carried out, we were told that both the blessings and the curses were pronounced. But here in Deuteronomy 27:15-26, only the reading of the curses was mentioned. Perhaps, because of the fall, it was more likely for the fallen nature of men to attract curses. Hence curses would be more appropriate as warnings. The list of curses pronounced in verses 15-26 had to do with sin that man would readily commit. Yet no sin would ever be hidden from the watchful eye of the all-seeing God. Here we see a wide array of sins that corrupt morality. We see from these warnings to be watchful over all areas of life - spiritual, mental, social, and physical. We need to guard our relationship with God by not indulging in idolatry. We need to guard our minds and attitude concerning our relationship with fellowmen. We need to respect them and observe social justice. We need also to guard the areas of sexual purity by not indulging in sexual misconduct and aberrant sexual practices.  

Whether we are conscious of it or not, in the regime of the law it would not be possible for men to be truly blessed. The blessings that mankind so desired could only be found in the grace that Christ Jesus eventually came to freely offer. This could be the reason why the Lord Jesus began in His sermon on the mount by pronouncing the blessings that His grace would usher into our lives. If we want to have a life of blessings it can only be found in a vital and vibrant relationship with God through Christ. Only in Him can we find life. He came that we may be able to live life abundantly. Let’s go for that kind of life!