Read Deuteronomy 27:1–10
Questions from the Scripture text: Who join whom in commanding whom (Deuteronomy 27:1)? How do they begin? To what day do they refer (Deuteronomy 27:2)? What do they call the land? What are they to set up for themselves? And what are they to do to them? Then write what on them (Deuteronomy 27:3)? At what point in time? In order to do what, in the proper way? What do they, again, call the land? And what description do they add? What point do they make about YHWH? What do they call Him? When are they to set up the stones, where (Deuteronomy 27:4)? What else are they to build there (Deuteronomy 27:5)? What mustn’t they use upon them? What will this preserve, with respect to the stones (Deuteronomy 27:6)? Whose altar will it then be? In order to do what with it (“offer burnt offerings,” translates a single verb that means “ascend”)? Unto Whom? What other sort of offering are they to offer there (Deuteronomy 27:7)? So that they can do what else there? With what feelings? Before Whom? And what are they to do on the other stones (Deuteronomy 27:8)? In what manner? With how much of the law? Who now speak with Moses in Deuteronomy 27:9? Whom do they address? What do they emphasize to Israel about themselves? What must they therefore do with Him (Deuteronomy 27:10)? What does this mean they must observe?
How are God’s people to know it and show it? Deuteronomy 27:1–10 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God gives us His worship, and especially His Word, to reaffirm to us that we are His, and renew us in our consecration to live by His Word.
Monumental Obedience (Deuteronomy 27:1-4, Deuteronomy 27:8). When Israel cross into the land, they are to set up a monument on the first mountain there (Deuteronomy 27:2b)—not just a monument to the law, but a monument of the law. The stones must be large enough to write, very plainly, all of the words (Deuteronomy 27:3a, Deuteronomy 27:8) of Deuteronomy 4:44–26:15. These stones are to be plastered white (Deuteronomy 27:2c, Deuteronomy 27:4c), so that the text stands out upon them very clearly (Deuteronomy 27:8). He is giving them the land (Deuteronomy 27:2a, Deuteronomy 27:3b), and it is a rich land (verse 3c), concerning which He is faithfully fulfilling His promises (verse 3d).
Christ never gave us such monuments to make. Instead, He has given His Holy Spirit, Who both carried the apostles to inscribe (inscripturate) the completed Bible, and also helps us understand, remember, and apply what the Bible says. It is good for us, as Christians, to carry with us throughout our lives, His words, written upon our hearts, as a monument.
Memorial Sacrifice (Deuteronomy 27:5-7). In the place that they set up the worked-stone monument, they are also to build up an unworked-stone altar (Deuteronomy 27:5). They must not work it, because it is a means by which they draw near to YHWH through the ascension (Deuteronomy 27:6) and the peace (Deuteronomy 27:7a). They must resist the temptation to think that they can add to this provision or improve it, by using their own ideas or tools to beautify it. We must continue to resist this temptation, especially with the simpler and more heavenly worship that He has now provided to us.
By this form of worship that He has commanded, the Lord emphasizes to them that they are His, and He is theirs. In the first, they ascend to Him, and in the second, they have joyful table-fellowship with Him (Deuteronomy 27:7b). Worship should compel us to obedience, because He has provided it, and designed it, to affirm that blessed reality that we are His, and He is ours.
Mute Allegiance (Deuteronomy 27:9-10). The Levites, whose job it is to teach the people what it means to be holy, and to guard holiness, now join Moses (v9a) in commanding Israel “take heed” (Deuteronomy 27:9b)—literally, “be silent!” The first part of responding to such divine generosity is to be quiet! He has given us the greatest thing possible: Himself. “This day, you have become the people of YHWH, Your God” (verse 9c). Of course, they were already His people. But now, on this particular day, He had reaffirmed and renewed that identity to them. The Lord does this for us, in His worship.
One of the ways that we realize (or display) that we belong to the speaking God is by being a listening people! We listen to His declaration that we are His (verse 9c), and we listen to His voice, as He commands us from His Word (v10a). Of course, this listening isn’t done just with the ears, but with the life (Deuteronomy 27:10b, cf. James 1:21–27).
How aware are you of God’s words on your heart, as you live? What use are you making of ascending to God in the public worship, and of having joyful fellowship with Him there? How does this worship drive your obedience? When you come to any worship of God, are you quicker to speak or to listen?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we have forgotten that we belong to You, and for how we have tried to shape Your worship, and how we have lived forgetfully of Your Word, and thus failed to keep it. Thank You that Christ has done all of these things perfectly, but died for our sins. For His sake, forgive us and make us like Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP119W “LORD, Let My Cry before You Come” or TPH119E “Teach Me, O LORD, Your Way of Truth”
No comments:
Post a Comment