Deuteronomy 27
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CHAPTER 27
The Altar on Mount Ebal (27:1–8)
1 In this chapter, Moses gives instructions for a formal renewing of the covenant once the Israelites had entered the promised land. God had established His covenant with the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus Chapters 19–24). It was reconfirmed on the plains of Moab (Deuteronomy 26:16–19), and also here in verses 9 and 10.
But then, after the Israelites had entered the land, they were to formally confirm the covenant one more time. In this chapter, two distinct parts of the confirmation ceremony are described: the setting up of the altar on Mount Ebal (verses 1–8) and the pronouncement of blessings and curses from both Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (verses 9–26). The instructions concerning both of these events were eventually carried out under Joshua’s leadership, as described in Joshua 8:30–35.
2–8 Mount Ebal was located in the central part of Canaan. When the Israelites reached the mountain, they were to collect some large stones, cover them with plaster (so that words could be more easily etched on them), and then write on them all the words of this law (verse 3)—that is, the major laws of the book of Deuteronomy.71 The stones were then to be set up on Mount Ebal (verse 4). At the same site, the Israelites were also to build a stone altar; the stones were to be uncut, not touched with tools (see Exodus 20:24–25). Then on the altar they were to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings (see Leviticus 1:1–17; 3:1–17), and then eat and rejoice in the presence of the Lord (verses 6–7). This ceremony would be similar in some ways to the first confirmation of the covenant at Mount Sinai, especially in regard to the writing down of the law, the building of an altar, and the offering of sacrifices (see Exodus 24:3–8).
Curses From Mount Ebal (27:9–26)
9–13 Mount Gerizim was near Mount Ebal. Six tribes were to stand on the slopes of one mountain, and six on the other. The Levites were to stand in the valley between and actually pronounce the blessings and curses; then the respective tribes on the two mountains would say “Amen”72—thus expressing their solemn acceptance not only of the blessings (for obedience) but also of the curses (for disobedience). It is not known why Moses did not include the blessings in this chapter; only the curses are listed.73 Perhaps the blessings were the mirror images of the curses: “Blessed is the man who does not do each of these things.”
14–26 The curses listed in these verses are curses against individuals who have disobeyed God’s commands. The curses have the effect of cutting off the guilty person from the community—of purging the evil from the land—thus allowing Israel to remain in covenant relationship with God. The specific offenses mentioned in these verses are illustrative; they are examples taken from the whole body of law given by Moses. It is not known why these particular offenses were included in this ceremony rather than others. All the offenses listed here (except the last) are violations of laws that Moses had given earlier.74
The last offense (verse 26) is a summary of all the others. But it also adds a very important truth: the only way to uphold the words of the law is by carrying them out. It was not enough for the Israelites to simply agree to the laws of God; they had to obey them as well.
The corollary of this verse is also true: blessed is the man who does uphold the words of this law by carrying them out. There is only one problem: no person has ever been able to carry out all of these words (Romans 3:10–12). Therefore, no person can ultimately be blessed by obeying the law. Paul quoted this verse in Galatians 3:10 to show that the law cannot save us—it can only curse us, because we cannot obey it fully. And that, of course, is why God sent His Son Jesus into the world—to accomplish what the law itself could not accomplish: the SALVATION of all who put their faith in Him.
Perhaps this is why there are no blessings included in this chapter: the law, in itself, had no power to bless. But remember, there was also an altar at Mount Ebal, an altar of sacrifice. The entire sacrificial system of Israel points to Christ, who by offering Himself for the sins of the world became the sole means of our salvation. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13)—by taking our punishment and dying in our place.