Deuteronomy 27

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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Deuteronomy Chapter 27

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Moses

Date Penned: (1407 BC)

Overview: To Remind and Rededicate Israel to the Lord (c 1-34)

Theme: Principles for Godly Living (c 5-28)

Message: Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience (v 1-26)

Deuteronomy 27 Commentary

(27:5-6) Worshiping the Lord - The Lord specified an altar made of natural, uncut stones so that the people would not begin worshiping the altar as they would an idol. To use an iron chisel or other shaping tool on a stone of the altar would profane it (Exodus 20:24-25).Additionally, since the Israelites didn't know how to make iron tools at that time, using iron tools would have required involvement with the surrounding pagan peoples who had this skill. This dependency could ultimately have led them into subservience or perhaps into idolatry.

(27:9-10) Following the Lord - Moses 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?

(27:15-26) Saying Amen - These 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 love and not anger, his strong words help us avoid the serious consequences that result from neglecting him or wronging others. But God does not leave us with only curses. Immediately following these curses, we discover the great blessings (positive consequences) that come from living for God

(28;1-14) The Lord's Blessings - These give us extra incentive to obey his laws. While all these blessings may not come during our lifetimes on earth, those who obey God will experience the fullness of his blessings when he establishes the new heaven and the new earth.

Dave Burnette's Life Application

An Alter of Remembrance

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Deuteronomy with Chapter 27 and we see the 6th principle of Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience for this new generation Israel in this - the 2nd giving of the law. In our text we see the Levites shouting the 12 Curses and a Monument for God's Laws where Israel is to build and alter in remembrance to what the Lord has done in delivering them to the promise land. An Alter of Remembrance. In making application we see the challenge put to all of us is the importance to remember what the Lord has done in our lives. In our home we have gathered rocks like in this text placing the date of our salvation on each. This serves as a remembrance and it encourages us in times of discouragement. How about you? Have you remembered what the Lord has done in your life? Let us learn from today's text and remember what the Lord has done in our lives.

Deuteronomy 27

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Deuteronomy 27

¹And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.

²And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:

³And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.

⁴Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.

⁵And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.

⁶Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:

⁷And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.

⁸And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

⁹And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.

¹⁰Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

¹¹And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

¹²These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:

¹³And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

¹⁴And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

¹⁵Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

¹⁶Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

¹⁷Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

¹⁸Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

¹⁹Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

²⁰Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

²¹Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

²²Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

²³Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

²⁴Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

²⁵Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

²⁶Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

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