Keeping the law of any land is essential for order and peace. Here are the basic laws given to the twelve tribes as they entered Canaan.
Deuteronomy 27: The Altar on Mount Ebal
1 Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, "Keep the whole commandment that I command you today.
2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster.
3 And you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
4 And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster.
5 And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them;
6 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,
7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God.
8 And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly."
Curses from Mount Ebal
9 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.
10 You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today."
11 That day Moses charged the people, saying,
12 "When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
13 And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:
15 "'Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the LORD, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.' And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen.'
16 "'Cursed be anyone who dishonours his father or his mother.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
17 "'Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbour's landmark.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
18 "'Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
19 "'Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
20 "'Cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's nakedness.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
21 "'Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
22 "'Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
23 "'Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
24 "'Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbour in secret.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
25 "'Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
26 "'Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
Things to think about…
1. An ancient altar on Mt Ebal was actually discovered in 1980 and believed to have been the site referred to in this chapter. The law was to be written on the plastered stones to represent that this law was to now rule over the land the Israelites were inheriting, Dt 27:2. As Christians we have the Lord’s law written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Rom 2:15. The Lord Jesus Christ said the law could be summed up by loving God and loving our neighbours as ourselves, Mt 22:37-40. Has anyone mastered that yet? Setting up godly traditions in families , churches and countries brings about the Lord’s presence and blessing. The Lord promises to honour those who honour Him, 1Sam 2:30.
2. Why should there be no iron tool used and the altar made of uncut stones. Because the work of man regardless of how technical is still of the flesh. God’s work and His law is only kept by His grace alone, Eph 2:8-10. But the law is to be kept by the Israelites. The way is only found through sacrifice, Dt 27:7. Hence they were to write the law that they had received, Dt 27:8. The Lord writes His law on our hearts, Rom 2:15.
3. In Dt 28:9-26 we read the list of curses involved with disobedience to the law. These were read both on Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal and agreed to by saying ‘Amen’, after each one. From both mountains the tribes associated with their areas of inheritance would agree to the words. Six tribes for Mt Gerizim, six tribes for Mt Ebal. We are all responsible and accountable for the areas where we are commissioned to serve the Lord. Both at home, our workplaces and in the church.
4. I think the curses are self-evident and agreeable. Note that these laws were given around 1390BC and still provide the basis for most law codes for many nations concerning family and land laws world over.
5. How does grace in Christ surpass and even supersede these laws in your opinion seeing as we are told that we are under grace and not the law Rom 6:14? Grace does not refute the law, but acknowledges with it it, the law is not kept. Cursed is anyone who is hung on a tree. Our Lord was cursed for us that His law may be kept. This is amazing grace.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Venezuela has had a massive earthquake. Many thousand have likely perished.
2. Pray for Iran the peace process is never going to be kept without a genuine desire for it to be maintained.
3. Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast and our online ministry
4. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
5. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
6. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
7. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
8. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, Kids@church, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
9. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
10. Finances to cover our needs
11. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for His word having an impact on Sunday, may we honour Him this week. Bring a testimony of grace next week.
2. Praise the Lord for children and grandchildren 😊.
3. Praise the Lord for Graham’s message on false prophets.
4. Praise the Lord for the encouragement the Word of God brought people over the weekend.
5. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
6. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
7. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
8. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
9. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
10. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. No Prayer meeting on school hjolidays.
2. All Life Groups off over the school holidays
3. Dave Pellowe from Church and State preacxhing 26th July.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for June...
Q. 2. What else did God make? A. God made all things.
