Numbers 27
Deuteronomy 27 gives instructions for a covenant ceremony after Israel crosses the Jordan. It includes commands to set up stones inscribed with the law, build an altar on Mount Ebal, offer sacrifices, and publicly affirm the covenant. The chapter then records a series of covenant curses to which the people respond, 'Amen.'
1verseThen the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
2verseThey stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
3verse“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons.
4verseWhy should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.”
5verseMoses brought their cause before the LORD.
6verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
7verse“The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
8verseYou shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
9verseIf he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
10verseIf he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
11verseIf his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his kinsman who is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it. This shall be a statute and ordinance for the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”
12verseThe LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.
13verseWhen you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered;
14versebecause in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
15verseMoses spoke to the LORD, saying,
16verse“Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
17versewho may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
18verseThe LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
19verseSet him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.
20verseYou shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
21verseHe shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”
22verseMoses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
23verseHe laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD spoke by Moses.
Writing the Law and Building the Altar
The command to write the law plainly on plastered stones emphasizes that God's instruction is to be publicly known and remembered by the whole community. The altar built with uncut stones and the offerings presented there show that covenant obedience is closely connected with worship, gratitude, and restored relationship with God.
Mount Gerizim, Mount Ebal, and the Covenant Response
The tribes are divided between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal for the covenant ceremony. Although the broader ceremony concerns blessing and curse, this chapter specifically records the curses announced by the Levites. The repeated response of 'Amen' shows the people's public acceptance of the covenant's moral and communal responsibilities.
The Content of the Curses
The curses address hidden idolatry, dishonoring parents, moving boundary markers, exploiting the vulnerable, sexual violations, violence, bribery, and failure to uphold the law. The list emphasizes that covenant life includes both loyalty to God and justice toward neighbors.
Points for Reflection
- Why is it important for a community to make its moral commitments public and clear?
- How do hidden actions, not only public behavior, affect the integrity of a community?
- What does the repeated 'Amen' suggest about shared responsibility?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Consider what standards guide your private and public actions.
- Reflect on whether your words of agreement are matched by responsible conduct in daily life.
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