Deuteronomy Chapter 27

The covenant between God and Israel was a covenant that established Israel as His people and God as their King.  As their King, He expected them to follow His words and to obey Him.  God wanted them to never forget His commandments to never forget His words.  As such He instructed them to assemble a rock formation on the other side of the Jordan.  This rock formation would be put together in such a way that they would use it to offer sacrifices on it.  They also would inscribe the words God had spoke to them on these rocks.  They were to whitewash the rocks so that the inscribed words could be better seen and preserved.  God is interested in us creating memorials that help us remember His words and His works. 

Let's Reflect

1.  Who besides Moses was speaking this day to the people to relay God’s instructions to the people?

2. God was expecting them to keep all the words of the law He had given them.  He also reminded them what He was giving to them.  What was God giving them according to verse 3?

3.  Once in the promised land they would split the congregation in half with half standing on the face of one mountain and the other half on the second mountain.  The mountain that represented God’s blessings was called Mt. Gerizim.  What was the name of the mountain that represented the curses of God that would be handed down for their disobedience? 

4.  It was on the mountain of curses that the rock formation was constructed that was both a memorial of God’s law and a place to sacrifice.  When they constructed the memorial, they were to just set the stones up and add plaster to them.  They were not to use what as the pagans did?

5.  This ceremony would be carried out by Joshua later after they crossed the Jordan.  Standing on the two mountains they would hear the law recited and they would all respond.  What phrase did each law begin with?

6.  What word would the people respond with after hearing each law that showed they were in agreement with God’s laws?

7.  According to verse 14 who is reciting these laws to the people in a loud voice?