A. INTRODUCTION: DEUTERONOMY 27:4-26
1. Moses told Israel to have a giant praise rally when they got into the Promised Land.
2. Israel actually did it. “Joshua built an altar to God to sacrifice for sins as Moses commanded him in Deuteronomy. Then he had the law written in very large letters on the plastered rocks so all could see and read. All the people stood in the valley with the Ark of the Covenant. Half of the Levites stood on Mount Gerizim and read the blessings. The people shouted, “AMEN!” The other half stood on Mount Ebal and read the curses. The people again shouted, “AMEN!” Afterward, Joshua read the book of Deuteronomy as Moses commanded him to do. All the women, children and foreigners stood to listen” (Joshua 8:31-35, Amplified).
3. The valley was in the middle of the land, they had to fight to get there.
4. Mt. Ebal (3,077 feet) – Mount of blessings. Mt. Gerizim (2,849 feet) – Mount of cursing, Valley 1,600 feet wide.
5. Rocks coated with lime, white. “Plaster them with plaster” (27:4). “Write . . . very plain” (27:8) big letters.
6. The Hebrew nations endured in history because they could read and write.
7. Where curses were said, “Build an altar unto the Lord” (22:5). The law brought death, the altar brought life. Sin and mercy met together.
8. A natural amphitheater, acoustically possible for all to hear and all to see.
9. This was a single event, not to be repeated.
10. This was a solemn renewal of their covenant relationship to God.
B. THE CURSES: DEUTERONOMY 27:15-26
Twice as many curses, as blessings. Sin is manifold, obedience is singular.
“All the people shall say ‘Amen’” (27:15ff). Included women and children. Their “Amen” included: (a) knowledge of God’s requirement, (b) promise to obey, and (c) whole hearted commitment.
“With a loud voice” (27:14). Their excitement.
All sins in this list were private. So “Amen” bonded them in responsibility to each other.
A Curse On Anyone:
1. Making an idol in secret (v. 15).
2. Dishonoring father or mother behind their back (v. 16).
3. Moving a landmark (v. 17) stealing land.
4. Misleading a blind person (v. 18).
5. Interfering with justice to a foreigner (v. 19) racism.
6. Sexual relations with mother (v. 20) secret sin.
7. Sexual relations with an animal (v. 21) bestiality.
8. Sexual relations with sister (v. 22).
9. Sexual relations with mother-in-law (v. 23).
10. Secretly attacking another (v. 24) mugging.
11. Taking a bribe to kill an innocent person (v. 25).
12. Anyone who does not confirm these laws (v. 26) heart promise.
C. THE BLESSING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-6, NLT
The people did what Moses instructed.
Begin with “if” suggesting possibility of failure. “If you will” (v.1).
Curses, responsibility of individuals. Blessings to the nation.
The Rabbis read chapter 27 in a whisper because of the awful consequences of disobedience. They knew it happened.
God promised to bless the seed of Abraham. “I will bless thee” (Gen. 12:2).
God expected three levels of obedience in 28:1. “If thou will harken diligently (listen to lessons), “to observe (know), and “do all His commandments” (fully obey).
The blessings were directed at a relationship for living.
1. “You will be blessed in your towns and countryside” (28:3); your location.
2. “You will be blessed with many children” (28:4); your family.
3. “You will be blessed with productive fields” (28:4); your vocation.
4. “You will be blessed with fertile herds and flocks” (28:4); your productivity.
5. “You will be blessed with overflowing baskets” (28:5); your salary.
6. “You will be blessed whenever you go, both going out and coming in” (28:6); your protection.
D. 7 APPLICATIONS
1. Give God the same gusto you give to the world.
2. God begins with negatives because we begin life with negatives.
3. It takes twice as many negatives to keep us positive.
4. Sin begins secretly before becoming outward.
5. God wants us to say “Amen” outwardly to get its meaning inward.
6. God wants our unity in gathering.
There is value in the unity of prayer.
7. Our covenant with God begins with heart commitment.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
