Deuteronomy 25-27 Offerings and Mt. Ebal

Thoughts

Deuteronomy 25

Courts must judge fairly between disputes. Those convicted may be flogged, but not beyond 40 lashes to avoid degrading the person.

• Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:24 that he was flogged “40 lashes minus 1” five different times by Jews

“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” (allowing animals to eat while they work).

If a man dies and did not give his wife children, she shall marry his brother. If his brother refuses to marry her, there is a public ceremony of shame where the woman removes his sandal and spits before him.

• Ruth 4 kind of mentions this with the relative refusing to marry Ruth and removing his sandal

If two men are fighting and one of the man’s wife comes and grabs his privates, then she will have her hand cut off.

Israel must remember how Amalek attacked the weak and weary (Exodus 17). Once settled in the land, Israel is commanded to blot out Amalek’s memory.

• Some say Haman was the last significant figure tied to Amalek.

Deuteronomy 26

When Israel enters the land:

• they are to bring the firstfruits of the harvest to the priest.
• They recite a confession recounting God’s deliverance from Egypt and His gift of the land.
• The offering ends with rejoicing before the Lord.

Different versions say ‘A wandering Aramean was my father’ or ‘My father was a Syrian’.
The Hebrew word Arami (אֲרַמִּי) literally means “Aramean,” referring to people from Aram (region of Mesopotamia, which overlapped with Syria).

• Most understand it as Jacob (Israel), since he lived and worked in Aram with Laban
• Some translate אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִ Arami oved avi as ‘An Armanean sought to perish my father’ meaning Laban to Jacob

In the third year, the tithe is to be given to the Levite, foreigner, orphan, and widow. Then a prayer was recited saying you gave with a good heart.

Moses ends the chapter with a call to obedience and a reminder that they are God’s treasured possession – so act like it!

Deuteronomy 27- Beginning of Third Speech

This is the beginning of Moses’ final speech which focuses on the Covenant.

When Israel crosses the Jordan, they are to set up large stones on Mount Ebal to make an altar

• The stones must be coated with plaster 
• inscribed with all the words of the law.
• Made with no iron tools

“Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the Lord your God.”

Upon entering the land, half the tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to proclaim blessings, and half on Mount Ebal for curses.

Mount	Tribes	Purpose
Mount Gerizim	Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh), Benjamin	To proclaim blessings for obedience.
Mount Ebal	Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali	To proclaim curses for disobedience.

12 Curses from Mt. Ebal

1. Making or worshiping an idol.
2. Dishonoring father or mother.
3. Moving a neighbor’s boundary marker.
4. Misleading a blind person.
5. Withholding justice from foreigners, orphans, or widows.
6. Sleeping with father’s wife (incest).
7. Bestiality (sexual relations with an animal).
8. Sleeping with sister (daughter of father or mother).
9. Sleeping with mother-in-law.
10. Attacking or striking a neighbor in secret.
11. Taking a bribe to kill an innocent person.
12. Not upholding the words of the law by carrying them out.

Questions

Why have laws protecting animals when they were constantly being sacrificed and used as guilt bearers (breaking a heifer’s neck)

Why 40 lashes?

What if the widow refuses to marry her brother-in-law instead?

Is the woman who grabs a man’s privates only punished if she does harm to them?

Application

The theme of these chapters is the same one that has been echoing throughout the Torah. Obedience to God can bring blessing, but disobedience can bring divine justice and curse. These chapters include many miscellaneous laws that can feel tedious to read, especially from a modern perspective. But when we understand the context, we see that God’s commands are about what is best for us and what is fair. God also calls us to worship with generosity, giving to others who are less fortunate when we have been blessed. He warns us to stay away from things He calls detestable, so we do not fall into sin and punishment. Are we listening to God’s voice and His Word? Are we remembering to praise Him not just in the storm, but also when life is good?