Deuteronomy 24-27 – March 19

27:2

It was customary for a town to record the laws of that town on rocks and display them where all could see them and know exactly the laws that were to be enforced. Interesting that God wanted this to be done first.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 further displays God’s emphasis for His laws with words like: They will be on your heart, teach them, talk of them, walk by them, bind them on you, write them on your doorposts, write them on your gates. And now, Deuteronomy 27:2 So it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God gives you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime…

 On day 1, make sure these laws are clearly displayed. This ensures a code of conduct and creates a culture.

We discussed the other day in chapter 10 about “What does God require from you?” This emphasis encourages me to take that answer, carve it stone, and put it on personal display, priority one! I then will never have good excuse to give Him anything less.

 This is another example building my dwelling place on the rock. Those “rocks of requirements” dictate my actions and decisions. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

 Also, remember that this is not legalism, this is obedience. My rocks may look differently than your rocks.

 ----- Part 2 ------

 25:4

Part of the reward of the ox when he was threshing was being able to also eat of the grain. It may have been extra work for the ox, but it included benefits. You could even say that this ox was allowed special favors during this extra work.

Compare this with:

1 Corinthians 9:13-14 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

 So, if you leave doughnuts at the church, I’ll just chalk that up to a benefit!

 ----- Part 3 ------

27:18

Who would mislead a blind person on the road?!?!?!?  That’s just cold hearted.

 ----- Part 4 ------

 27:9 … “Be silent and listen, O Israel! This day you have become a people for the Lord your God.

I believe it is important to realize that although we are reading about all of these commandments and the setting up of this Godly culture – God still has one result in mind. God desires relationship!

 Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 Matthew 22:37-38 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment.