Day 308 - Deuteronomy 27, Verses 11-26

From: Chapter-A-Day: Volume 1 By: Norman W. Berry

Deuteronomy 27:11‑26 • 1 min. read • grade level: 6

V.11-13 Moses appoints two groups to stand on these separate mountains which were just inside the promised land. On Gerizim, to bless the people (for obeying) — on Ebal, to pronounce the curses if they disobeyed the law. Can you find the blessings? Not one word.

V.14-26 Twelve curses. Notice what all the people were to say after each curse was spoken! “Amen” means “I agree.” We have to turn to Galatians 3:10¹⁰For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Galatians 3:10) to get the answer to our “why?” Paul even quotes from this very chapter. There can be no blessing from the law, even though God had kept His promise and brought them into this glorious land (Read Psa. 106:21-24²¹They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; ²²Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. ²³Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. ²⁴Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: (Psalm 106:21‑24)).

To summarize our whole chapter: vvs. 1-10 present to us the heart of a gracious God, and the thoughts of God toward His beloved people. Yet vvs. 11-26 show us the actual condition of these people — they were on the ground of law — their blessings would depend on their obedience! So the sad result of Israel’s real state before God. BUT because of God’s grace and love, He has sent a Savior, Who has taken the curse for us and brought us into the position of total blessing. (Read Rom. 6:15¹⁵What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (Romans 6:15)).

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.