Reading through Deuteronomy 27, it is easy to focus on the repeating word “cursed”, and to then focus on the curses that make up most of the chapter. In addition, the word “Amen” is declared after each declaration of the curse, bringing a dissonance to mind. Isn’t the word “Amen” often used to affirm something positive and encouraging, instead of a curse? The truth is, the practice of responding with “Amen” appears often in the bible, and it is a way to stress the seriousness of the statement being made. Here, the curses are punishment for disobedience, and violations of the covenant, and the response of “Amen” suggests that the people are expressing their understanding of where disobedience brings them. 

What is so serious about this disobedience? Or rather, why is obedience warranted, and why is it so serious?

Chapter 27 begins with Moses commanding the Israelites to obedience – they were to keep the “whole” commandment”, and this suggests that the details must be understood against the backdrop of the covenantal relationship that God has with the Israelites. In the first 10 verses, the phrase “the Lord your God” is repeated eight times. The Israelites are being reminded that they are God’s own people, by grace alone. And Moses is encouraging the Israelites to obey, by reminding them that Yahweh, Creator and mighty God, has chosen to call them His own. 

Yahweh is not just a covenantal God, but He is faithful to His covenant promises to the forefathers of the Israelites. As they stand before Canaan, it is a reminder that Yahweh had brought them to the land that He had promised. This was a land flowing with milk and honey, and this was the land that Yahweh had promised to bless them with. 

Additionally, in the first ten verses, twice, the Israelites were commanded to set up stones, to plaster them with plater, and to write on them all the words of the law. This is symbolical of their covenant relationship with God, and a reminder that their obedience is to arise both from a recognition of past grace and in anticipation of grace still to come. The Israelites were also to set up an altar, a symbol of his gracious presence amongst His people. The altar acknowledges God’s provision and lordship. 

It is in this background of grace and blessings that the Israelites were commanded to obey God. It is in this background that verse 11 begins with a new section of pronouncing blessings and curses.  Yahweh had rescued His people from Egypt, He had walked with them the forty years they were in the wilderness, He had established His covenant with them at Sinai, He had kept His promise of land, bringing them into this land that his flowing with milk and honey. The people themselves, walking into this land, are also a fulfilment of God’s promise, that Abraham’s offspring will be like the stars in the sky. 

God’s goodness should motivate His people to faith and righteous conduct. Their obedience will bring them the blessings that God has promised, but what chapter 27 showed us, their disobedience will also bring about the curses that Moses had announced. Obedience opens the door to God’s blessings, and disobedience results in our forfeiting those blessings. 

Similarly for us, through the salvation given to us by Jesus Christ, we, too, became God’s children, and are a holy people belonging to Him. The awareness of our status as God’s covenant people should inspire us to joyful obedience to His revealed will. God is sovereign, His way is the sovereign way, and His will is the sovereign will. When we choose to disobey Him, we do not get to enjoy the blessings and the victorious life He has already shown us we can enjoy. 

Would you be willing to obey God’s commandments today?

Prayer : Dear God, thank you for your grace that I may be called your child. Help me Lord, to be obedient to you, and to be at the center of Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.