The Twelve Curses (Deuteronomy 27)

Are curses given under the law forever valid or can we be redeemed from them? Can Christians come under a curse? Let’s begin in Deuteronomy 27.

What kind of monument were they to erect on Mount Ebal?

Now Moses, with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying: “Keep all the commandments which I command you today. And it shall be, on the day when you cross over the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourselves large stones, and whitewash them with lime. You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have crossed over, that you may enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’ just as the Lord God of your fathers promised you. Therefore it shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that on Mount Ebal you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, and you shall whitewash them with lime.” (Deuteronomy 27:1-4 NKJV)

What kind of altar were they to also construct on the mountain?

Then build an altar there to the Lord your God, using natural, uncut stones. You must not shape the stones with an iron tool. Build the altar of uncut stones, and use it to offer burnt offerings to the Lord your God. Also sacrifice peace offerings on it, and celebrate by feasting there before the Lord your God. You must clearly write all these instructions on the stones coated with plaster.” (Deuteronomy 27:5-8 NLT)

What other instructions did Moses and others then give to Israel?

Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of Yahweh your God. You shall therefore obey Yahweh your God’s voice, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.” (Deuteronomy 27:9-10 WEB)

What ceremony was to be performed on two mounts facing each other across a small valley?

That same day Moses commanded the people: Once you have crossed over the Jordan River, the following tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. And these are the tribes that will stand on Mount Ebal for the cursing: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. The Levites will address every individual Israelite with a loud voice: (Deuteronomy 27:11-14 CEB)

What were the twelve curses that they pronounced from mount Ebal?

‘[1] Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[2] Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[3] Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[4] Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[5] Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[6] Cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's nakedness.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[7] Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[8] Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[9] Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[10] Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[11] Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘[12] Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ (Deuteronomy 27:15-26 ESV)

Is there a curse under the new covenant for some who refuse to love their neighbor in deed?

Then the king will say to those on his left, “Get away from me! You are under God's curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink. I was a stranger [foreigner], but you did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me.” (Matthew 25:41-43 ESV)