03.15.2015 Old Testament: Deu 27.4–8

To read the Bible in a year, read Deuteronomy 26–27 on March 15, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

The children of Israel needed to know that they acquired the Land of Canaan, and that they would retain it because of the word of the Lord. Therefore, Moses instructed them to write the Law on a stone when they entered the land,

“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. And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them. You shall build with whole stones the altar of the Lord your God, and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. You shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there, and rejoice before the Lord your God. And you shall write very plainly on the stones all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 27.4–8). 

The children of Israel would make an altar, but they could not cut the stones into shape. The Lord wanted them to write on the stones after they had whitewashed the stones. In the rest of the chapter and into chapter 28, Moses let Israel know that the Lord would bless them for their obedience and curse for their disobedience.

The Lord still wants us to obey Him, and we receive heaven, if we do, and hell for those who disobey Him.