World English Bible
- Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandment which I command you today.
- It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which the LORD your God gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and coat them with plaster.
- You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over, that you may go in to the land which the LORD your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
- It shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall coat them with plaster.
- There you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them.
- You shall build the LORD your God’s altar of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God.
- You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before the LORD your God.
- You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”
- Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of the LORD your God.
- You shall therefore obey the LORD your God’s voice, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.”
- Moses commanded the people the same day, saying,
- “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
- These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
- With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel,
- ‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”
“Covenant Stones, Covenant Commitment”
When Israel crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, the first act God instructed through Moses was to erect stones coated in plaster, clearly inscribed with His law. Why stones, and why plaster? Archaeologists indeed have discovered similar ancient monuments throughout the Near East—stones used as memorials for covenants and important decrees. Unlike mere speech, words carved in stone symbolized permanence, seriousness, and accessibility.
“And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up.” (Deuteronomy 27:8, New International Version)
God’s intent was clear: His commands should not be forgotten. Israel’s covenant life with God required regular, visible reminders. Just as plaster provided a clear writing surface on rough stone, our hearts, smoothed by humility and repentance, must receive clearly and deeply God’s commandments, keeping them before our daily spiritual awareness.
Cross-reference Verse:
“Write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 3:3,
English Standard Version)
How intentional are we, today, to make God’s word known and remembered, personally and publicly?
The choice of two mountains—Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal—as the life-sized amphitheater for Israel’s solemn ceremony was deeply symbolic. These two mountains in Shechem (modern Nablus in the West Bank) are separated by a fertile valley, perfectly shaped for clear sound projection—a natural megaphone. Joshua would later fulfill this enactment precisely (Joshua 8:30-35). Half the tribes declared blessings on obedience from verdant Gerizim, and half pronounced curses of disobedience from stark Ebal. The very landscape visually reinforced the message: obedience bore fruitfulness; disobedience brought desolation.
Why the extended focus on curses rather than blessings here? In covenant language (as known from ancient Suzerainty treaties still discovered by archaeologists), these curses served as clear boundary markers against transgressions destructive to covenant trust and communal well-being. Notice how these sins mostly involved hidden actions or wrongful practices, especially exploiting vulnerability (for example, misleading the blind, injustice toward the helpless, secret immorality). God’s covenant community required honesty, integrity, and compassion. Secret sins could undermine society, unnoticed by humans, but clearly visible to the eye of God.
“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” (Deuteronomy 27:19, New International Version)
This chapter communicates clearly that covenant belonging is not casual but demands serious self-examination and moral accountability before God and others. Likewise, we as Christians today must remain ever mindful of integrity within—not just outward obedience—aware of the covenant established through Christ.
Cross-reference Verse:
“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
(Romans 14:12, English Standard Version)
God deeply values remembrance. The stones of Deuteronomy 27 remind us that forgetting leads to drift and spiritual decline. Consider historic theological voices like John Calvin, who noted frequently how prone human hearts are to spiritual forgetfulness, thus needing constant reminder through scriptures, sacraments, and practices of remembrance.
Israel’s community identity revolved not only around practices but also a profound reverence toward God’s righteous character. Community integrity demanded confronting hidden sin, protecting weak individuals, and practicing justice. There is a modern message here: holiness, unity, and compassion define genuine Christian community. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in “Life Together,” reminds us sharply that truthfulness, accountability, and concern for weaker members express the life of Christ within us.
The Hebrew word frequently translated “clearly” or “distinctly” (באר “ba’ar”, Deuteronomy 27:8) conveys more than just legibility; it denotes clarity, precision, careful explanation. When Ezra “clearly” read the Law (Nehemiah 8:8), the same Hebrew root appears, emphasizing not only literacy but comprehension, carefully interpreted and applied. God desires we fully understand and grasp His word, not merely recite it.
Reflect further on these truths by singing or listening to the
beautiful hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”—noting especially the
line recalling the “Ebenezer stone” of remembrance:
“Here I raise my Ebenezer,
hither by Thy help I’ve come;
and I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.”
Gracious and holy God,
Help me remember Your faithfulness, and clearly engrave Your word upon
my heart. Reveal hidden sins within me, and by Your Spirit, draw me back
into true integrity and sincerity before Your sight. Teach me compassion
toward the vulnerable and create in my heart a commitment to justice and
holiness. Thank You for Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law’s demands
and bore the curse on my behalf (Galatians 3:13). May I reflect Him
clearly to others today. In His mighty name, Amen.
Narrated version of this devotional on Deuteronomy Chapter 27