Keeping the law of any land is essential. For the Israelite it meant whether they kept their new land or not. Here are the basic laws given to the twelve tribes.
Deuteronomy 27
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 written on the plastered stones to represent that this law was to now rule over the land the Israelites were inheriting. As Christians we have the Lord’s law written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ said the law could be summed up by loving God and loving our neighbours as ourselves. 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 each have to be 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 family and land laws around the world.
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 Point
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Questions for Cell groups
Sunday’s sermon, “Tithes and Offerings” came from Deut 26 by Ps Jay.
1. Tithes and offerings were a part of blessing and obedience for the children of Israel as they entered the land of Canaan. How are they to be seen as an act of worship, Dt 26:10.
2. What is your understanding of tithes and offerings as a Christian. As we are no longer under OT law, what is your understanding of tithing as a Christian?
3. We are called to be a light to the world, Mt 5: . Part of that is building up the church to give resources to share the gospel. Give a testimony of how the Lord has blessed your tithing/offering in sharing the gospel of Jesus.
4. Pray that our giving can achieve our Vision/Mission as a church.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Victoria and the rise in Corona virus cases. Restrictions are maintained for that state.
2. We return to church with 2 services starting on the 12th July – one at 8:30am and one at 10am. Pray for the implementation through this next phase.
3. Pray for wisdom and clarity with some restrictions are being lifted next month.
4. Continue to pray for our government for wisdom and economic management.
5. Sunday’s fb live messages and for Kids church. The message this week – “Blessing and abundance” Deut 28 – Pr Jay.
6. Our online Chuwar Kids at church program – that our kids still feel connected to church and love worshipping Him.
7. Pastoral care. Pray people feel connected in this isolation period. Been great catching up with people at the Bean Redeemed café.
8. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
9. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times. Pray especially for people to be stable with respect to mental health.
Praise Points.
1. Dylan Brandazzi who was at Recharge Youth a few years ago has been involved in a traffic altercation. I heard from his family that he is healing well. Praise the Lord.
2. Jesse Baxter is gaining strength in his hands, praise the Lord.
3. This wonderful rain.
4. Riots slowing down in America.
5. Restrictions being lifted – cell groups can now meet up.
6. Finances being maintained and donation to Café roof. Thankyou! New temporary cover put on this week.
9. Streaming and fb live being done very well by the technical team. Thanks Doug, Dan, Jesse and Peter. Thanks worship team.
10. Australia’s response to the infection has been blessed. Continue to pray for wisdom with respect to our economy.
11. Praise the Lord churches are functioning well in this environment and the gospel is going out in the media.
12. Encouraging online comments – the church is still functioning well and people are being cared for.
Announcements
1. We are going to two services starting on the 12th July. First service will start at 8:30am. The second at 10am. Only the 10am service will be live streamed.
2. Pray about offerings to help with putting a roof over the café. Our temporary white shade has come to the end of its life. $6k required for a new roof. Architect currently drawing up plans.
3. Cell groups can meet up – Ask for details as to how and what is required.
4. New church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Kids Church now streamed live at 9:00am every Sunday morning via CBC’s fb page. Will be run in the house for the 10am service starting on the 12th July.
