Keeping the law of any land is essential for order and peace. Here are the basic laws given to the twelve tribes as they entered Canaan.
Deuteronomy 27: The Altar on Mount Ebal
1 Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, "Keep the whole commandment that I command you today.
2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster.
3 And you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
4 And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster.
5 And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them;
6 you shall build an altar to the LORD your God of uncut stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God,
7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God.
8 And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly."
Curses from Mount Ebal
9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, "Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the LORD your God.
10 You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today."
11 That day Moses charged the people, saying,
12 "When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
13 And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:
15 "'Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the LORD, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.' And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen.'
16 "'Cursed be anyone who dishonours his father or his mother.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
17 "'Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbour's landmark.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
18 "'Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
19 "'Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
20 "'Cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's nakedness.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
21 "'Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
22 "'Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
23 "'Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
24 "'Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbour in secret.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
25 "'Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
26 "'Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
Things to think about…
An ancient altar on Mt Ebal was actually discovered in 1980 and believed to have been the site referred to in this chapter. The law was to be written on the plastered stones to represent that this law was to now rule over the land the Israelites were inheriting, Dt 27:2. As Christians we have the Lord’s law written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Rom 2:15. The Lord Jesus Christ said the law could be summed up by loving God and loving our neighbours as ourselves, Mt 22:37-40. Has anyone mastered that yet?
In Dt 28:9-26 we read the list of curses involved with disobedience to the law. These were read both on Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal and agreed to by saying ‘Amen’, after each one. From both mountains the tribes associated with their areas of inheritance would agree to the words. Six tribes for Mt Gerizim, six tribes for Mt Ebal. We are all responsible and accountable for the areas where we are commissioned to serve the Lord. Both at home, our workplaces and in the church.
I think the curses are self-evident and agreeable. Note that these laws were given around 1390BC and still provide the basis for most law codes for many nations concerning family and land laws world over.
How does grace in Christ surpass and even supersede these laws in your opinion seeing as we are told that we are under grace and not the law Rom 6:14?
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm at church. Be encouraged and join us.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the appointment of Ric Benson as Church Health and Community Pastor to CBC. Ric will be preaching for the next 2 weeks on the 20th Aug and 27th Aug, prior to the church vote on the 27th Aug.
2. Pray for alpha course session Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non-Christians.
3. Pray about Sunday’s message that it would change lives.
4. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
5. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
6. Pray for Rosie and Kids@church, pray for continued growth of this ministry.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for Pr Joseph Gamatia and our Solomon Islander brothers and sisters.
2. Praise God for Richard’s testimony of God’s grace over his life. What a blessing to see his ministry to Sally and for him to share his journey with us.
3. Was wonderful to see a near full church again. Thankyou to everyone who made yesterday’s service a blessing.
4. Great third session last night at alpha course.
5. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
6. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was. People asking about baptism.
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Information session 27th Aug after the morning service. All members please attend as we will be voting for Ric Benson to be a pastor at CBC.
2. Alpha Course 3rd session on Wed 2nd Aug – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
