KEY VERSE: “These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people… And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse…” (Deuteronomy 27:12-13).

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 27:11-26

Some people distaste dos and don’ts. In particular, they frown at anything that looks like a negative command. What such people do not realise is that the so-called positive and negative commands are like the two wings of a bird that enables it to fly. From time, God’s instructions have always been stated in both positive and negative modes – dos and don’ts. This helps to make the issue more pointed and reduces doubts about what is required of us.

The event that took place in the mountains of Gerizim and Ebal concerning the Israelites as captured in today’s text is a classic example of the dos and don’ts concept. Just before the Jews entered Canaan, Moses had prepared them by giving them God’s laws that should guide every aspect of their lives, including personal conduct, relationships, and worship. They were summoned to Gerizim and Ebal, two mountains that were side by side in Ephraim between which lay the city of Schechem. There, they were to give full expression of their commitment to the commandments of God by binding themselves to the blessings pronounced on the obedient as well as curses declared on the disobedient. The twelve tribes were divided into two with six standing on mount Gerizim from where the blessings would be pronounced and the other six on mount Ebal from where the curses would be uttered. The people agreed to these with a unanimous ‘amen’.

The Gerizim and Ebal experience in Canaan land aimed to strengthen the people’s obedience to divine laws. Blessings were offered as a reward for compliance, while curses acted as a deterrent for disobedience. In today’s era, God’s word still guides us on how to stay in His favour and avoid His wrath. The gospel encompasses both blessings and warnings about God’s judgment for those who remain unrepentant and disobedient.

We should be grateful for God’s double-layered arrangement of promises and warnings. These blessings should inspire us to follow God’s will, while the warnings should deter us from straying. Both aspects are meant to guide us in our Christian walk and help us stay on the righteous path set by God.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: He who will be reformed neither by God’s blessings nor His chastising rod is doomed.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 23 – 24

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Salvation Prayers

If you don’t Know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour and would like to accept him into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, Please say this prayer:

Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your Will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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