Bible Lessons

 
Deuteronomy 27
THE first part of the chapter is a call to keep the commandments delivered to the people from God. They were to be written upon stones “very plainly” (verse 8). Keeping the land which God gave them, depended upon their keeping His words; an altar, too, was to be erected (verses 5-7) for burnt offerings and peace offerings. So far all looks well. Joshua built the altar, and wrote the law on the stones (Joshua 8:30-3230Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal, 31As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings. 32And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. (Joshua 8:30‑32)) here prescribed.
In Samaria, not far from the well of Sychar (John 4) are two mountains, near enough together for people in the valley between them to hear words spoken from the side of either. Half the tribes of Israel were to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people; and the other half were to stand on Mount Ebal to curse (verses 11-26). But when we look for the blessing, there is none; if there were one, it would have been given; instead are only the curses, twelve in number, solemnly spread out. This is indeed serious: the law can only curse; man cannot find blessing from the law in the presence of God. The last verse of this chapter is evidently what is quoted in Galatians 3:1010For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Galatians 3:10).
“As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse.”
Then why do many earnest people try. to keep the law, the ten commandments, in order to be saved?
Not any rules to make the natural man good, will ever work,
“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely (without a cause), by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23, 2423For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:23‑24).
Reader, these are God’s words; this is His way of salvation. Is it yours?
ML 03/01/1925