Sermon Tone Analysis

Erection of an Altar

Inscription of the commandments 1-3

Moses would not see this command come in his own life this was done after Joshua won battles in Jericho and AI.

Offering of Sacrifices 4-8

this is sort of a contradiction to what the lord commands his people to do by setting up one place God will choose for himself to dwell.

This place will not be Mount Ebal where they are at.

However they are doing this because of them entering the land the Lord has for them, and this is a great spot to see the promise land the Lord was giving them.

So this mountain is 3000 ft tall, and provides a great view of this land.

Scholars said you could see Hermon to the North, Jordan and Gilead to the east, hills of Jerusalem to the south, and the Mediterranean to the west.

If you want to know what this alter looked like.

Exodus 20:24-26 explains that well.

Burnt Offering-declare giving to God the life he has given them.

No personal benefit.

Peace-Communal Holy and belong to God, eaten as a communal meal symbolize unity and equality.

God is with his people either in blessing or a curse.

Our Sacrifices.

Heb 13:15-16

james 1:27

Blessing and Curses 9-13

Each Tribe had different roles.

The text seems to indicate that Gerizim pronounces a blessing on the assembly while the group on Ebal represents the curse.

‘

The tribes to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people are all descendants of Jacob’s two wives, Leah and Rachel, while the tribes that uttered curses were Reuben and Zebulun, both sons of Leah, plus the tribes of the sons of the handmaids Zilpah and Bilhah.

Preference is given to the sons of the wives of Jacob who had higher standing than the sons of the handmaids, though the division into two groups of six necessitated putting two sons of Leah with those of the handmaids.

The basis for the choice of Reuben and Zebulun is not evident.

Reuben did forfeit his birthright (Gen 49:4), but no particular defection of Zebulun is known.

Curses for Secret Sins 14-26

v14 Levites declare this.

12 things they should not do.

v15.

This sums up the first two commandments in the 10 commandments.

The verse before the 10 commands gives reason to be obedient to him.

Exodus 20:2-4

v16 this is stated more positively in the 10 commandments.

Exodus 20:12

v17.

You are commanded to respect others land.

v18.

Dont do wrong to someone who is disabled.

Lv 19:14

v19.

Lv 19:33-34

The next bit of curses are speaking of sexual immorality.

Which God takes seriously.

Other cultures did these detestable things before the Lord, and one another.

v20.

Not one’s mother.

Sex to God is only intended for those who are lawfully married in the eyes of God.

v21.

Hittites were known for their bestiality.

Lv 18:23, 20:15-16

v22.

Incest.

Lv 18:9

v23 Do not lie with your mother in law.

v24.

Do not kill your neighbor in secret.

v25.

You are commanded to not take a bribe.

Ex 23:8

v26 The Deuteronomic curses were warnings not to break the law, given with the intent that paying heed to the warning would keep Israel in good relationship with the Lord.

Those living in OT times who were faithful to the Lord were not under the curse but rather had the witness from the Spirit of God that they were acceptable to him.

Warnings in the New Testament.