Deuteronomy 27 Devotional

Agreeing with God's Verdict

“Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD your God.”Deuteronomy 27:9 (BSB)

On Mount Ebal, Israel was to set up plastered stones with the words of the law written on them, and beside them an altar of uncut stones for offerings eaten with rejoicing (27:2-8). Before any curse is spoken, Moses and the priests tell the people that this very day they have become the people of the LORD (27:9). Belonging comes before obedience (27:10).

Then the Levites read out curses, and the people answer amen to each. Many of the sins named are done in secret or against people who cannot defend themselves: an idol set up privately, a blind man sent the wrong way, a neighbor struck down where no one sees, justice withheld from the foreigner and the widow (27:15-25). The last curse covers anyone who does not keep the whole law (27:26). Paul quotes it to show that no one is justified by the law, and that Christ redeemed us by becoming a curse in our place (Galatians 3:10-13). Saying amen to God's verdict is the honest starting point, and grace is where it leads.

To think about: What sin, hidden from others, do you need to agree with God about today, trusting the grace that follows?