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DEUTERONOMY 27–29

Week 11, Day 1

When we’re about to enter unexplored land, whether a new school, a new job, or a marriage, we need a ritual of entrance. Some are simple and unstructured; but usually the more significant the event, the more solemn the ritual. As Israel prepared to enter their new homeland, they stood on the slopes of Gerizim and Ebal while the Levites stood in the valley between, pronouncing first a blessing toward Gerizim and then a doom toward Ebal. A Jewish commentator calls it the most imposing, solemn, and impressive event conceived for such an occasion. With each blessing and curse, the people were to say Amen to indicate their agreement with the contract. Only the curses are listed here; rabbis say that the blessings were negations of the dooms.

The same theme is carried forward in Chapter 28, but this time by a listing of blessings and curses without a list of the commands. The message of doom is longer than the promise of blessings. Perhaps this is because we human beings seem to be moved more by threats than by promises of favor. At the least, the Israelites had to confess that they were properly and vigorously warned!

But in spite of the sometimes threatening language, the call is to the good life. If the Israelites miss, it will be “because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and with gladness of heart” (28:47). In Egypt they had been slaves; here they were to be co-workers with God.

PRAYER: Father, make me wise enough to know that blessings and curses are built into life, and that the choice is mine; in Christ.

The curses listed here are probably just a sampling. Under what several headings would you group the ones that are given?