SAYING AMEN

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Then Moses and the priests, who are Levites, said to all Israel, "Be silent, O Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today."

On the same day Moses commanded the people:

When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.

The Levites shall recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:

"Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an idol—a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of the craftsman's hands—and sets it up in secret." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor's boundary stone." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father's wife, for he dishonors his father's bed." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who has sexual relations with any animal." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who sleeps with his mother-in-law." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who kills his neighbor secretly." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person." Then all the people shall say,
"Amen!"

"Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Deuteronomy 27:9-26

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Curse. A cause of great harm or misfortune. Evil or misfortune that comes as retribution.

Amen. Used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion).

These two definitions frame this passage from Deuteronomy, Chapter 27.

We see that Moses tells the Israelites that they are to divide up into two groups with six tribes in each group after they “crossed the Jordan”. The tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin were to “stand on Mount Gerizim” while the tribes of “Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali” were to “stand on Mount Ebal”. Each group was given specific responsibilities as they stood on their respective mounts. The tribes on Mount Gerizim were told to “bless the people” while those on Mount Ebal were to “pronounce curses”. The verses in our passage (all dealing with curses) were to be delivered from Mount Ebal.

Note that these curses are delivered well after God gave Israel His commands…each asserting that disfavor or a curse from God would fall upon anyone who violated God’s expectations. It had been made clear that the people of Israel were not to worship idols or dishonor their parents or cheat others. They weren’t to allow injustice to the underprivileged or engage in sexual immorality or murder. No…they were to uphold the words of the law and do so obediently. To do otherwise would bring God’s curse on the offender and Israel should know all about what happens when God finds disfavor. All they had to do was recall Pharoah and the not one but ten curses that God sent on him and Egypt. It was crystal clear that things could get very ugly if God became upset.

So the first part of each of these verses deals with an act that would bring on God’s judgment if committed. It’s obvious that God expected His word to be followed.

Now note the words in the second half of each verse. As each curse was proclaimed, not just some of the people but ALL of the people were to say “Amen”. In other words, we understand and agree that this should happen. Through saying the word, “Amen”, God’s people acknowledged that they concurred with the idea that “great harm or misfortune” should fall on anyone who disobeys and breaks the pronounced commands. They agreed with God…as they should have.

So what do we gain from this scripture for today?

1. God expects our obedience. He demands that we be knowledgeable and mindful of His word.
2. God will bring judgment or curses on anyone who decides they want to blatantly disobey His commands. He expects us to honor Him by following His word.
3. God expects us to affirm His word and will and way for us. He wants us to not just say the word, “Amen”, but mean it when we say it.

So where do you fall on the obedience scale? If God were to measure you right now, how well would you fare? Would you qualify for a curse or a blessing?

These are all questions we should ask ourselves and take whatever corrective action is necessary to make changes away from sinfulness and toward holiness and righteousness…before God makes them for us. Can I get an “Amen” on that?

In Christ,

Mark

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