Mounts Ebal and Gerizim: Blessings and Curses Defined

Our actions bear consequences, both as individuals and as communities. Deuteronomy 27, with its vivid imagery of blessings and curses on the mountains, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of collective obedience and the role each person plays in the overall spiritual health of a community. As we tread the paths of our lives, may we remember to be grounded in principles that not only honor our individual relationships with God but also uplift our larger community.

Verses 1-3: Stone Altar Command

Moses, along with Israel's elders, instructs the people to set up large stones once they've crossed into the Promised Land, plastering and inscribing them with the Law's words.

Verses 4-8: Location and Rituals

Upon crossing the Jordan, the Israelites are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal and build an altar to the Lord using uncut stones. They should offer burnt and fellowship offerings there, rejoicing in the Lord's presence.

Verses 9-10: Pledging Obedience

Moses and the Levitical priests remind the Israelites of their special status as God's people. They're admonished to obey the Lord's commandments.

Verses 11-13: Setting the Stage for Blessings and Curses

Six tribes are designated to stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings, while the other six are to stand on Mount Ebal for the curses.

Verses 14-26: Detailed Curses

The Levites announce 12 specific curses for various acts of disobedience, from idolatry to mistreatment of the vulnerable. The people are to affirm each curse with an "Amen."

Deuteronomy 27 sees Moses providing further instructions to the Israelites about blessings and curses as they stand at the threshold of the Promised Land. This chapter emphasizes the communal responsibility to uphold the law, showcasing the consequences and rewards for doing so.

1. Obedience to God's commandments
2. Blessings for obedience
3. Curses for disobedience
4. Collective responsibility of the nation1. Building of the altar on Mount Ebal
2. Inscribing the law on stones
3. Blessings and curses1. Moses
2. The Levites
3. The twelve tribes of Israel1. Mount Ebal
2. Mount Gerizim
3. Land which the Lord God is giving

1. How does the act of inscribing the law on stones symbolize the importance of God's commandments?

2. Why was it significant to use uncut stones for the altar?

3. How do the blessings and curses relate to the concept of collective responsibility?

4. In what ways do communal rituals strengthen a community's bond and shared purpose?

5. Why were specific tribes chosen for blessings and others for curses?

6. How do the detailed curses speak to the moral and ethical priorities of the Israelite community?

7. In today's context, how can we set up 'markers' or reminders of our commitments and values?

8. How do you think communities today handle collective responsibility?

9. What are the consequences in modern society for disregarding shared ethical standards?

10. How can we promote collective obedience to shared moral principles in a diverse society?

11. Reflect on a time when you felt the weight of collective responsibility. What did you learn from it?

12. How does the concept of blessings and curses resonate in our modern understanding of karma or "what goes around, comes around"?

13. How do you define 'rejoicing in the Lord's presence' in your life?

14. Can you identify 'mountains of blessing and curse' in your own life or community?

15. How can affirming good practices or condemning bad ones, as a community, influence individual behavior?

16. In the face of societal wrongs, how can communities come together to make amends?

17. What modern rituals or practices can be likened to the communal acknowledgment of these curses and blessings?

18. How might the act of collectively saying "Amen" to each curse influence the psyche of the Israelites?

19. In a world driven by individualism, how can we promote the importance of collective good and shared values?

20. How do you balance personal beliefs with communal responsibilities in your daily life?