◄ Deuteronomy 27:11 ►
On that day Moses commanded the people:
Study Bible
On that day
This phrase signifies a specific moment in time, a pivotal day in the history of Israel. The Hebrew word for "day" is "yom," which can mean a literal 24-hour period or a significant time frame. In this context, it marks a moment of covenant renewal and commitment. Historically, this day is set as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing the importance of obedience and remembrance of God's laws as they transition from wandering to settlement.

Moses
Moses is a central figure in the Old Testament, serving as the leader, prophet, and mediator between God and the Israelites. His name in Hebrew, "Moshe," is thought to mean "drawn out," reflecting his rescue from the Nile and his role in drawing the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses' leadership is divinely appointed, and his commands carry the weight of God's authority. His presence in this verse underscores the continuity of God's covenant from Sinai to the plains of Moab.

commanded
The Hebrew root for "commanded" is "tsavah," which implies a directive given with authority and expectation of obedience. This is not a mere suggestion but a binding instruction. In the context of Deuteronomy, Moses' commands are not his own but are delivered on behalf of God, reinforcing the divine origin and importance of the laws and statutes being given to the people.

the people
"The people" refers to the nation of Israel, God's chosen people, who are about to enter the land promised to their ancestors. The Hebrew term "am" denotes a collective group bound by common identity and purpose. This phrase highlights the communal aspect of the covenant; it is not just an individual commitment but a collective one. The people are reminded of their identity as a nation set apart for God's purposes, called to live in obedience and faithfulness to His commands.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. In this context, Moses is giving instructions to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are the recipients of the Law and the ones being addressed by Moses in this passage.

3. Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim
These are the two mountains mentioned later in Deuteronomy 27, where the Israelites are to pronounce blessings and curses. They are significant locations for the covenant renewal ceremony.

4. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. The Israelites are on the verge of entering this land as they receive these instructions.

5. Covenant Renewal Ceremony
The event where the Israelites reaffirm their commitment to God's covenant, involving the pronouncement of blessings and curses.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
Moses' instructions highlight the importance of obedience to God's laws as a condition for receiving His blessings. As believers, we are called to live in obedience to God's Word.

Covenant Relationship
The passage underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people. We are reminded of our own covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the importance of renewing our commitment to Him.

Community Accountability
The public nature of the covenant renewal ceremony emphasizes the role of community in holding one another accountable to God's standards. In our faith communities, we should encourage and support each other in living out our faith.

The Role of Leadership
Moses' leadership in guiding the Israelites serves as a model for spiritual leadership today. Leaders are called to faithfully communicate God's Word and guide others in following His commands.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The blessings and curses associated with the covenant remind us of the serious consequences of disobedience. We are encouraged to choose obedience and experience the fullness of God's blessings.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Moses' role as a leader in this passage inform our understanding of spiritual leadership today?

2. In what ways can we, as a community of believers, hold each other accountable to God's standards?

3. How does the concept of covenant in Deuteronomy 27 relate to our covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that we are living in obedience to God's commands in our daily lives?

5. How do the blessings and curses associated with the covenant in Deuteronomy 27 serve as a warning and encouragement for us today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 11
Earlier instructions about Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commandments.

Joshua 8
The fulfillment of the instructions given in Deuteronomy 27, where Joshua leads the Israelites in the covenant renewal ceremony at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.

Exodus 24
The initial covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites first agreed to follow God's laws.

Hebrews 12
A New Testament reflection on the importance of listening to God's voice and the consequences of disobedience, drawing parallels to the Old Testament covenant ceremonies.
Sermons
Ebal and GerizimJ. Orr Deuteronomy 27:11-26
ResponsesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 27:11-26
The Decalogue Nationally ReciprocatedD. Davies Deuteronomy 27:11-26
People
Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River, Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim
Topics
Charged, Commanded, Commandeth, Commandment, Saying
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 27:1-26

     7797   teaching

Deuteronomy 27:9-26

     5827   curse

Deuteronomy 27:11-13

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

In Judæa and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and Theology - Jews and Samaritans.
We have no means of determining how long Jesus may have tarried in Jerusalem after the events recorded in the previous two chapters. The Evangelic narrative [1850] only marks an indefinite period of time, which, as we judge from internal probability, cannot have been protracted. From the city He retired with His disciples to the country,' which formed the province of Judæa. There He taught and His disciples baptized. [1851] [1852] From what had been so lately witnessed in Jerusalem, as well …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
That which is said by Moses, that "Gerizim and Ebal were over-against Gilgal," Deuteronomy 11:30, is so obscure, that it is rendered into contrary significations by interpreters. Some take it in that sense, as if it were near to Gilgal: some far off from Gilgal: the Targumists read, "before Gilgal": while, as I think, they do not touch the difficulty; which lies not so much in the signification of the word Mul, as in the ambiguity of the word Gilgal. These do all seem to understand that Gilgal which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ.
O wretched Man! where shall I begin to describe thine endless misery, who art condemned as soon as conceived; and adjudged to eternal death, before thou wast born to a temporal life? A beginning indeed, I find, but no end of thy miseries. For when Adam and Eve, being created after God's own image, and placed in Paradise, that they and their posterity might live in a blessed state of life immortal, having dominion over all earthly creatures, and only restrained from the fruit of one tree, as a sign …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered? …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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