September 20, 2019
Obedient Children
Deuteronomy 27
CJ Kaufman Jr
Central Truth
We are all obedient to something. What you are obedient to displays what is most important in your life.
Key Verse | Deuteronomy 27:9-10
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. You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today."
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 1 27:6 Hebrew whole 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 dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
17 ‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor'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.’ 2 27:20 Hebrew uncovered his father's skirt 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 neighbor 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.’
Dive Deeper | Deuteronomy 27
Like clockwork, my mom’s response when asked for gift preferences for every holiday or birthday was the same: "OBEDIENT CHILDREN!" And just as consistently, her five children often failed to deliver on her request.
Raised by a stay-at-home mom and a minister who doubled as a heavy-equipment operator, I was introduced faithfully to Christ at a young age. I could sing the songs and paraphrase the parables. However, especially through my high school and college years, I never made obeying Jesus' desires for my life my top priority. In fact, I used my Christian background to gain favor and promote myself. I did not obey Galatians 5:13. I pursued popularity and inappropriate relationships with girls while gratifying my lustful flesh. I was obeying my own desires.
That's when Christ stepped in. By His grace, I was able to realize the only thing that would allow abundant life here on earth (John 10:10b) and eternal life in heaven (John 3:16) was an abiding relationship with Jesus (John 15:1-4).
So why choose to obey God's desires over our own? The answer is in Deuteronomy 27:9b-10a, which says, ". . . this day you have become the people of the LORD your God. You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God . . . ." We are created by God in His image (Genesis 1:26), therefore we should be obedient to what His desires are for us. When we obey our fleshly desires, it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). Or, as Todd Wagner often reminds us, "It will not go well with you."
Just as predictable as my mom's response were my dad's instructions before a night out with friends: "If it is illegal, immoral, or unsafe, don't do it!" Had I been obedient to the command in Deuteronomy 27:16 and honored my parents, a lot of pain and heartache could have been spared. But that is the beauty of grace—your ability to be obedient today does not depend on your past. When we are in Christ, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and can be obedient to mom, dad, and, most importantly, God.
Discussion Questions
1. Moses emphasizes the importance of keeping God's words in front of us in Deuteronomy 27:1-8. If you are not already, how can you show obedience in reading God's Word daily? (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3)
2. Prepare a response to the question "Why do you choose to be obedient to God's will over your own?" and support it with Scripture. My reason is because experiencing God's love through pursuing Him wholeheartedly is better than anything this world can offer. (Psalm 63:3)
3. Will you ask others Question 2 above and share your answer with them?
4. Deuteronomy 27 ends with 12 curses for violating various laws. Most of these seem obvious, but Moses still felt the need to reiterate them. What act might seem obvious when you write it down but might be necessary to remind yourself about? Mine would be: Cursed be anyone who can scroll aimlessly through social media for an hour but cannot prioritize spending time in God's Word.
5. What small act of obedience to God can you perform today so He can be made more known to those around you? Share with a friend to help keep each other accountable.