The Fifth Book of Moses, called Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 27
Chapter XXVII · Vol. I, pp. 520–523
1 The people are commanded to write the law upon stones, 5 and to build an altar of whole stones. 11 The tribes divided on Gerizim and Ebal. 14 The curses to be pronounced on mount Ebal.
1 AND Moses, with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying, aKeep all the commandments which I command you this day.
a ch. 4.1,2,6; 5.1; 6.2; 8.1; 11.32; 12.32.
2 And it shall be, on the day bwhen ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up cgreat stones, and plaster them with plaster.1
b ch. 11.31; 9.1; 12.10. Nu. 33.51; 35.10. Jos. 4.1; 8.30-35.
A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451.
c Eze. 11.19; 36.26; ver. 4.
1 That the Hebrews were versant in castings in brass and other metals, and acquainted with cutting on stone, even precious stones, there can be no doubt. Why then are these stones merely plastered? An emblem, most probably, of the superficial impression the law was to make upon Israel: easily impressed, but easily effaced—a fact, which their facility in promising obedience, and readiness to forget and rebel, repeatedly testifies.—C.
3 And thou dshalt write upon them all the words of this law,2 when thou art passed over; that thou mayest go in unto ethe 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.
d Jos. 8.32,34. Ps. 40.8. Zec. 3.9. Je. 31.33. 2 Co. 3.2,3. Either the ten commandments, or this book of Deuteronomy, or the blessings and curses were to be written on these stones, which might represent men's hard and earthly hearts.
2 The whole scope of the narrative shows that ‘this law’ embraces only the blessings and the cursings recorded in this and the following chapters. This view is confirmed by the historic note of the fulfilment of the command in Jos. viii.—P.
e ch. 4.1; 8.7-9; 11.11,12. Ge. 12.7; 13.15-17; 15.18-21. Ex. 3.8.
4 Therefore it shall be, cwhen ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.
5 And there fshalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
f Ex. 20.25; 24.4. Jos. 8.30,31. Zec. 3.9. Ps. 118.22. Is. 28.16.
6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones; and thou shalt offer burnt-offeringsg thereon unto the LORD thy God:
7 And thou shalt offer hpeace-offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
h Le. iii.; 7.15. Col. 1.20. Jn. 6.53-57. Ga. 3.13,14.
8 And thou ishalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.3
i ver. 3. Jos. 8.32,34. Ps. 40.8. Zec. 3.9. Je. 31.33. 2 Co. 3.2,3. Ps. 119.11.
3 Whether the ten commandments, or some lesser portions of the law is not apparent, nor is it of any consequence could it be ascertained. The plainness of the inscription, intended for common and public use, is, however, very important. It shows that the Scriptures were never intended for a caste, but for the whole nations. See Hab. 2.3.—C.
9 And Moses, and the priests the Levites, spake unto all Israel, saying, kTake heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.4
k ch. 4.1,5,6,9,40; 5.1-3; 26.16,17; 31.17,18.
4 They were God's people before; but now again by a public avowal.—C.
10 Thoul shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
12 These shall stand upon mmount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin.5
13 And these shall stand upon nmount Ebal too curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
n ver. 4; ch. 11.29. Jos. 8.30,31.
o Heb. for a cursing, Da. 9.11,13.
14 And pthe Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451.
p ch. 33.10. Mal. 2.7.
15 Cursedq be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an rabomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sputteth it in a secret place: and tall the people shall answer and say, Amen.
q Ga. 3.10. Ex. 20.4,23; 34.17. Le. 19.4; 26.1. ch. 4.16,23; 5.8.
r 2 Ki. 23.13. Is. 44.19. Eze. 7.20.
s Ps. 44.20,21. Eze. 8.12; 14.4. 2 Ch. 15.16.
t ver. 13,16-26. Nu. 5.22. Je. 11.5. 1 Co. 14.16.
16 Cursed be he that usetteth light by his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.
18 Cursed be he that ymaketh the blind to wander out of the way: and all the people shall say, Amen.
19 Cursed be he that zperverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow: and all the people shall say, Amen.
z ch. 19.18; 24.17. Ex. 22.21,22. Ps. 82.3.
20 Cursed be he athat lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt: and all the people shall say, Amen.
a Le. 18.8; 20.11. ch. 22.30. 1 Co. 5.1. Am. 2.7. 2 Sa. 16.21,22. Ge. 35.22. Eze. 22.10.
22 Cursed be he cthat lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.
23 Cursedd be he that lieth with his mother-in-law: and all the people shall say, Amen.
d Le. 18.17; 20.14. Ge. 38.16. Eze. 22.11.
26 Cursedg be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them:6 and all the people shall say, Amen.
g Ga. 3.10. Je. 11.3. Eze. 18.24. Ro. 3.19,20; 2.8,9.
6 There are those who profess approbation of the law of God, as a system beautiful, pure, and perfect in its morality, and who conclude that such approval is all that the law requires. But no approval short of fulfilment can satisfy the law, or constitute legal righteousness. Neither can any partial observance of a few precepts suffice to satisfy the law, and atone for the breach of the remaining requirements. In truth, a partial observance is impossible; for ‘he that offends in one point is guilty of all.’ The sinner has no refuge but Christ ‘made a curse for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’—C.
Notes
[Ver. 14. This was one of the grandest and most solemn public assemblies ever held. On the spot, between Ebal and Gerizim, I have read the narrative, and studied its graphic details with the deepest interest. The selection of this place for the reading of the law was not without a reason. When Abraham first entered Canaan this was the site? of his camp. When Jacob returned from Haran this was his first resting-place; and here he bought a field, erected an altar, and called it El-Elohe-Israel. It is not strange, therefore, that the same site should have been selected for the first great national assembly of Israel, and the renewal of their covenant with Jehovah, on taking formal possession of the land. The exact scene was doubtless near the mouth of the vale of Shechem, immediately below the highest peaks of Ebal and Gerizim. The vale is here about 200 yards wide; and the sides of the mountains, though steep, are not precipitous. A natural amphitheatre is formed by a recess in each mountain. The ark, with the attendant priests and Levites, was placed in the centre of the vale. Six tribes were ranged along the lower slopes of Ebal on the one side, and six along the corresponding slopes of Gerizim upon the other. Every member of that vast assembly could thus both hear and see all that passed. Each command was read with a loud voice by the Levites, with its annexed blessing and curse; to the blessing the tribes ranged on Gerizim responded ‘Amen;’ and to the curse those ranged on Ebal responded ‘Amen.’ P.]
Reflections.—Such as are in authority ought to exert all their influence in promoting the service of God. And when ministers and magistrates show themselves zealous in their station for God, people are ready to follow their example. Every privilege that we enjoy ought to be an incitement to universal holiness: and God's law is so plain, that every one may attain a moderate knowledge of it; but, to become effectual, it must be written on our hard hearts by the Spirit of God; and all obedience to it must be founded on the atoning and peace-procuring blood of Jesus Christ. In this order, what solid peace and joy are found in believing, and in cordial dedication of ourselves to God's service! In keeping his commandments a blessed reward of grace is to be expected: but most terrible curses await those who, after professed subjection to God, and solemn acquiescence in his law and sanctions of it, do voluntarily apostatize from his ways, and indulge themselves in secret or open wickedness.