Curses and Blessings

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PASSAGE: Deuteronomy 27:1-26

COMMENT: Moses looks ahead to when the children of Israel are in the Promised Land.  They are to write God’s law on stones and build an altar to the Lord.  Then they are to stand on the twin peaks of Ebal and Gerizim, six of the sons of Israel on each peak, and recite curses and blessings.  The chapter closes with the twelve curses they are to confirm with an “Amen.”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1.                   The Israelites are told to set up some stones, plaster them with plaster, and write upon the stones all the words of this _______ very ________.

2.                   Six of the tribes are to stand upon mount Gerizim to _________ the people.  The other six tribes are to stand upon mount Ebal to _________.

3.                   Cursed be he that setteth _____ by his father or his mother.

4.                   One curse is given to those who pervert the judgment of the ____________, fatherless, and _____________.

5.                   Another curse is placed on those who take _________ to slay an _____________ person.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1.                   In verse five, they are told, “And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.”  Compare this with Exodus 20:25.  Why do you think God made this restriction?  Can you think of any application to Jesus Christ?

2.                   In this passage, right before they cross into the land, Moses and the priests say to Israel, “O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God” (v.9).  Israel has been God’s chosen people for over 500 years.  Why are they said to become the people of God at this time?

3.                   The twelfth and last curse states, “Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen” (v.26).  Paul uses this verse (in Galatians 3:10 to prove that all who are of the works of the law are under a curse.  How does this verse prove this?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1.                   The Israelites, upon entering the land, were to set up stones with all the words of the law (v.2-3).  Why did God have them do this?  What is the application for us today?

2.                   God only has the Israelites to confirm twelve curses.  However, one of these curses the man who makes the blind to wander out of the way (v.18).  What is this verse talking about?  Why do you think God included this curse among the limited number of choices?  What is a modern application of this warning?  In other words, how can we make the blind to wander out of the way in a spiritual sense? 

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES:  Deuteronomy 27:9, 26

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