Deuteronomy 27:11
And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, Deuteronomy 27:11 (KJV)
The book of Deuteronomy belongs to the Pentateuch, the first five books of Scripture, and is traditionally ascribed to Moses. It records his final speeches to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, and it repeatedly stresses the importance of obeying God’s laws and the consequences of disobedience.
In chapter 27 Moses gave a concrete command: the people were to set up large stones on Mount Ebal and coat them with plaster. These stones were to serve as a lasting monument reminding the nation of the covenant they were making with God and of the necessity of keeping His commandments.
The act of erecting the stones and inscribing the law on them provided a visual reminder of the covenant and of the people’s solemn commitment to follow God’s statutes. By writing the law on the stones the Israelites publicly displayed their agreement to obey the divine commands.
Verse 11 records the specific charge concerning the tribes that were to stand on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal for blessing and cursing. The charge lists the curses that would fall on anyone who violated God’s commandments, underscoring the seriousness of obedience within the covenant relationship.
Obedience was therefore a crucial element of the covenant between God and Israel. Through faithful obedience the people would experience God’s blessings and fulfill their part of the covenant, while disobedience would bring the curses pronounced in the passage.
For believers today the passage still carries relevant lessons. We are called to obey God’s commandments not to earn salvation, but as a grateful response to His love and grace. Obedience demonstrates our commitment to God and positions us to receive His blessings in our lives.
As Christians we recognize that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament law and inaugurated a new covenant through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Although we are no longer under the law as a means of salvation, Jesus Himself affirmed the ongoing importance of obedience (John 14:15).
