Read Deuteronomy 27:11–26
Questions from the Scripture text: Who commanded whom, when (Deuteronomy 27:11)? Who were to stand, where, to do what, when (Deuteronomy 27:12)? And who were to stand, where, to do what (Deuteronomy 27:13)? Who begin the speaking (Deuteronomy 27:14)? How will they speak? To whom? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:15? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:16? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:17? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:18? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:19? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:20? Why? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:21? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:22? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:23? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:24? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:25? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:26? How must the people answer?
What does every sin deserve? Deuteronomy 27:11–26 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that every sin deserves the wrath and curse of God.
In the conclusion of the first commandment section (cf. Deuteronomy 11:29–32), Moses had commanded this ceremony. Now, he gives the details of the ceremony, which will take place in Joshua 8:30–35. But before the blessings spoken by the six tribes (Deuteronomy 27:12, cf. Deuteronomy 28:1–14), and the curses spoken by the four tribes (Deuteronomy 27:13, cf. Deuteronomy 28:15–68), the Levites lead all Israel in calling curses down upon any individual for his secret sins. That is what all of these sins have in common: they are done in secret, or are easily “gotten away with.” But that is not actually true! YHWH sees all of these sins, and He punishes them.
The Levites represent the people in shouting the curse, but each person affirms the curse for himself with his own “Amen!”
The first cursed sin is for secret idolatry (Deuteronomy 27:15). False worship is an abomination to YHWH. And it is, ultimately, a matter of the heart, where He alone sees.
The next four cursed sins are for those who disregard others. As in the decalogue, this begins with parents. Just having contempt for them is accursed by God (Deuteronomy 27:16). Also cursed is the deceptive theft of a neighbor’s property (Deuteronomy 27:17) or taking advantage of those who are unable to stand for themselves, and who have no one to stand for them (Deuteronomy 27:18-19).
The next four cursed sins are violations of the seventh commandment. Sexual sin is almost always committed in secret. These four (Deuteronomy 27:20-23) are some of the most perverted violations, driving home to us how abominable are all sexual sins.
Finally, the last two specifically cursed sins are violations of the sixth commandment. Even if an attack is in secret (Deuteronomy 27:24), or hired out (Deuteronomy 27:25), it is accursed murder before the eyes of YHWH.
The twelfth, and last, curse clarifies that these have all been representative examples. Anyone who does anything to break the law of God is accursed before Him (cf. Galatians 3:10). This is why Christ had to become a curse for us (cf. Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Dear reader, we must not tolerate sin, even in secret—especially in secret. Secret sins are an abomination, particularly because they are done only unto the face of God. For these, Christ suffered Hell for all of His elect. God forgive us for them, and deliver us from them.
What secret sins are you in most danger of committing? How can you be forgiven of them? How can you be cleansed of them? What means has He given, by which you trust Him to cleanse you?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for all of our sins, especially for our secret sins. Our secret idolatries. Our secret disregard for others. Our secret corruptions and perversions. Our secret hatred and murder. Cursed is anyone who doesn’t continue in all of Your laws to do them. But Christ has become a curse for us; so, forgive us for His sake, and make us to be like Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH51C “God, Be Merciful to Me”
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