Friday, March 2, 2012

Deuteronomy 27-28

Deuteronomy 27
After they cross the Jordan, they must set up on altar on Mount Ebal using uncut stones. Earlier back in Exodus they made a similar altar.

Afterwards, half of the tribes will assemble on Mount Ebal and pronounce curses for following away from God while the other half assembles on Mount Gerizim and pronounces blessings.

The curses are actually list of things to avoid with an emphasis on social justice and prohibitions against murder, sex with family members, although the list starts with a prohibition against idols.

We don't get a list of blessings that the people must say on Mount Gerizim.

Deuteronomy 28
The chapter outlines many of the similar blessings and curses we have seen before, but this emphasizes the consequence of falling away. If they obey God, they will defeat their enemies and have lushes crops. Whereas if they disobey God, their crops will fall short, disease will strike them, their enemies will ravage the land, their children sold into slavery, etc...and it gets worse, including a discussion of human cannibalism.

Yikes.

In a nutshell, their civilization will collapse.

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