Deuteronomy 27 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Deuteronomy 27 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Moses’ speech, recorded in the opening chapters of Deuteronomy, occurred immediately following the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  

• The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.

• The Book of Deuteronomy opens on the 1st day of the 11th month in the 40th year (Deu 1:3) following the Israelites departure from Egypt (approximately 1450 B.C.).

CHARACTERS:

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt. Leading up to the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness as they made their way to Canaan, the land God promised to give them as a home.

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words and laws to the people.    

WHERE:

• Deuteronomy 1:5 tells us Moses spoke the words recorded in Deuteronomy while in Moab, probably on the plains of Moab near Pisgah (Numbers 22:1).

• Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim are highlighted in this chapter. These two mountains were very close to each other, and the Israelites were told to visit them when they crossed the Jordan River.

OUTLINE:

• THE PLASTERED STONES AND THE ALTAR ON MOUNT EBAL (27:1-8):

  • When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the land God promised to give them, they were to set up large stones on Mount Ebal and plaster them.

  • They were to write the words of God’s law on the stones.

  • Beside the plastered stones, they were to set up an altar of uncut stone and offer sacrifices to God.

• CURSES DECLARED FROM MOUNT EBAL (27:9-26):

  • When the Israelites came to Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, they were to divide into two separate groups.

  • The tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin were to stand atop Mount Gerizim.

  • The tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali were to stand atop Mount Ebal.

  • The Levites were to declare with a loud voice a curse on those who disobeyed God.

  • After each curse was read, the Israelites were to respond with an “Amen!”

  • The remainder of Deuteronomy 27 lists the forbidden actions that would bring a curse.

  • The individuals who would be cursed were those who: made idols, dishonored parents, moved neighbor’s landmarks, misled a blind person, perverted justice, committed various forms of sexual immorality (27:20-23), killed their neighbor in secret, took bribes to shed innocent blood, and those who rebelled against any of God’s laws.

APPLICATION:

• God wants His instructions proclaimed in a balanced way.

• God didn’t want the blessings proclaimed without the curses (we will talk about the blessings in the next chapter).

• Jesus’ preaching about God’s grace and God’s judgement was equally balanced.

• When we consider our approach to telling people about God (individually and as churches), we need to make sure our approach balances a communication of the kindness of God with the severity of God (Rom 11:22).

• We can’t teach all blessings and no curses.

• We can’t teach all curses and no blessings.