Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 27 and Galatians 4

Deuteronomy 27 – They are instructed inscribe all these laws on tall (or large) stones, coated with lime (or plaster in another translation). These stones then are to be placed on Mount Ebal and there too they should build an altar “made of stones that have had no iron tools used on them, because any altar you build for the Lord your God must be made of uncut stones” (27:5-6). At this altar, they are to offer a peace offering.  Moses proclaims to the people, “Today you have become the people of the Lord your God; so obey him and keep all his laws. . .” (27:9-10).

Apparently parallel places of worship—one on Mt.Ebal and another on Mt. Gerizim, mountains which frame Shechem—are to be established with parallel stones inscribed with the law and parallel altars.  This set-up establishes the Northern Kingdom’s ‘voice’ in the Deuteronomic redaction. The blessings are to be read from Mt. Gerizim, the curses from Mt. Ebal.  Only the curses (12 of them) are written here against anyone

·       who crafts idols

·       who dishonors his father or mother

·       who moves a neighbor’s property line

·       who misleads the blind

·       who violates the rights of foreigners, orphans or widows

·       who has sexual relations with his father’s wife

·       who has relations with an animal

·       who has incestuous relations with a sister or half-sister or mother-in-law

·       who slays his neighbor in secret

·       who slays the innocent man for pay

·       or anyone who fails to follow the laws and teachings

Galatians 5 - Christ freed us; he meant us to stay free.  If you turn to the law and try to save yourself by the law, Christ will be of no benefit.  You will “have separated yourselves from Christ, and . . .fallen from grace” (5:4). Being circumcised does not matter. What “matters is faith that makes its power felt through love” (5:6). His anger towards those who have misled the converts of Galatia is reflected in verse 12 where he wishes his opponents would “castrate themselves”. You are called to liberty but not self-indulgence.  Serve each other in the works of love. “You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires” (5:24). The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (5:22-23).

“Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit” (5:26).