Collin Leong. September 10, 2026
(v5-8) "And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; you shall build an altar to the LORD your God of uncut stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God, and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, thand you shall rejoice before the LORD your God. And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly."
Exp: In addition to the law written on large stones, they are also to build an altar constructed with uncut stones. According to Exo 20:25, cutting the stones will "profane" the altar. The uncut stones symbolized the natural creation of God, set apart for sacred use. It reminded Israel that holiness comes from God’s choice, not human shaping. Canaanite altars were ornate and carved. God’s altar was simple, emphasizing obedience over aesthetics.
The burnt offering is to consecrate and surrender themselves to God, as this is a new beginning for the Israelites, entering the promised land for the first time. Peace offering symbolize fellowship and thanksgiving to God. Unlike the burnt offering, part of the peace offering was eaten by the worshipers, symbolizing communion with God. It expressed gratitude and harmony — peace between God and His people, and among the community itself. They will celebrate their journey and arriving at the destination God has promised their fathers. (See Joshua 8:30-35 where Joshua wrote the laws on stones and made the offerings on Mt Ebal.)
(v9-26) Curses from Mount Ebal
(v9-10) 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 oey the voice of the LORD, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I commanded you today."
Exp: Israel was God’s people before, but “this day” they were publicly and ceremonially confirmed as His covenant nation in the land. It emphasizes the solemnity of recommitting themselves to Yahweh as they enter the land.
(v11-13) That day Moses charged the people, saying "When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizin to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali."
Exp: Joseph’s sons were adopted by Jacob as full tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh - Gen 48:5-6), but they still shared Joseph’s heritage. Using “Joseph” emphasizes their common origin. Six tribes are named for blessing (including Joseph as shorthand for two), and six for curse. This keeps the symmetry of the ceremony. Half of the tribes sit on each mountain, one symbolizes blesses and one symbolizes curses, but they do not actually bless or curse anyone. That's the role of the Levites.
(v14) And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:
Exp: The Levites here are Levitical priests. They are not the whole tribe standing on Mt. Gerizin, but they are priests at the valley near the ark to proclaim the covenant curses.
(v15) "Cursed be anyone who:
- (v15) "makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the LORD, a thing made by hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret."
- (v16) "dishonors his father or his mother."
- (v17) "moves his neighbor's landmark."
- (v18) "misleads a blind man on the road."
- (v19) "perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow."
- (v20) "lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's nakedness."
- (v21) "lies with any kind of animal."
- (v22) "lies with his sister, whether the daughter of the father or of the mother."
- (v23) "lies with his mother-in-law."
- (v24) "strikes down his neighbor in secret."
- (v25) "takes a bribe to shed innocent blood."
- (v26) "does not confirm the words of this law by doing them."
(v15b-26b) And all the people shall answer and say 'Amen'.
Exp: There were 12 curses that list offenses that undermine covenant life: idolatry, dishonoring parents, injustice, sexual immorality, violence, bribery. Some of these sins might escape human detection but are still under God’s judgment. It reminds Israel that God sees even what is hidden. The final curse (v26): “Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them" covers the whole law of the covenant, including the ten commandments.
By saying "Amen" (meaning "so be it" or "let it stand.") for each curse, they accept the responsibility for violating all the laws that Moses has informed them. They are saying: We stand with God’s word, even if it condemns us when we disobey.
Paul reflects this in 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
Key Messages
Deuteronomy 27 emphasizes covenant renewal through visible symbols, public proclamation, and communal agreement. It highlights the importance of memorial stones, the altar of worship, the division of tribes on Gerizim and Ebal, and the solemn “Amen” responses to covenant curses. Themes include remembrance, worship, covenant accountability, justice, and corporate responsibility.
1. Memorial Stones and Altar (vv. 1–8)
Israel was commanded to set up large stones coated with plaster, inscribed with the law, and build an altar on Mount Ebal for burnt offerings and peace offerings.
Application: Believers are reminded that God’s Word must be visibly central in life. Faith requires memorials that declare His law and worship that centers on His covenant. Today, Scripture and the cross serve as our enduring memorials, reminding us of Christ’s sacrifice and God’s covenant faithfulness.
2. Division of Tribes on Gerizim and Ebal (vv. 9–13)
Half the tribes stood on Mount Gerizim for blessing, and half on Mount Ebal for curse, dramatizing the covenant choice before them.
Application: Believers are reminded that life is lived between blessing and curse, obedience and disobedience. Faith requires choosing God’s way, knowing that Christ bore the curse (Gal. 3:13) so we might inherit the blessing. Our witness is strengthened when we live distinctly as those redeemed from curse into blessing.
3. Levites’ Proclamation and People’s “Amen” (vv. 14–26)
The Levites proclaimed specific covenant curses—against idolatry, dishonoring parents, injustice, immorality, violence, and bribery—and all the people responded “Amen.”
Application: Believers are reminded that covenant accountability is communal and comprehensive. Faith requires acknowledging God’s justice, even against hidden sins. Our worship today echoes this when we say “Amen” to God’s Word, affirming His truth and submitting to His authority. In Christ, our “Amen” is transformed into assurance of grace, as all God’s promises find their “Yes” in Him (2 Cor. 1:20).
In summary, Deuteronomy 27 dramatizes covenant renewal through memorials, symbolic division, and communal affirmation. Believers today are called to center life on God’s Word, choose obedience over disobedience, and corporately affirm His truth—trusting Christ, who bore the curse and secured the blessing.
Appendix
1. References
Genesis 48:5 - “And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. And the children that you father after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance.”
Gen 12:6-7 - "Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oakd of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him."
Exo 20:25 - "If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it."
Gal. 3:13-14 - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” - so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirite through faith."
2 Cor. 1:19-20 - "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."
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