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DEUTERONOMY
CHAPTER 27

1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day. 2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: 3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. 4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.

After the nation entered the land of Canaan, which God was giving them, they were to make a great monument to the Lord (This was mentioned in Chapter 11). The monument was to be plastered stones on which were written the words of God's law.
Probably the words encrypted on the stones were at least the words of the cursing and blessings which follow (Chap. 27:1-26, and Chap. 28:1-68).
While these words would be monument which recognized the Lord God as Supreme Authority, it would also be a warning to descendents and travelers.
Christians should set up monuments to the glory of God whenever possible. They leave messages for those who come behind.

5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. 6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: 7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God. 8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

An altar was to be erected with uncut stones. Matthew Henry says by the words on the stones God talked to them, and at the altar they talked to God.
As Christians, we should remember to study God's Word and listen to Him as He talks to us. We should also remember to talk to God in prayer.

9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God. 10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

Here is the heart of being a true Israelite: when one accepts belonging to God, he also accepts obeying God. This is also the heart of being a true Christian.
"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." ((1John 3:24))

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." ((John 14:15))

At the center of our trusting God, is a commitment to obey God.

11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, 12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin: 13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice, 15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen. 16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. 17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen. 18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen. 19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen. 20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen. 21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen. 22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. 23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. 24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen. 25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. 26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Now after making a stone monument and an altar, then they were to have a special ceremony.
Six tribes would locate themselves on the side of Mt. Gerizim and six on the side of Mt. Ebal. All the people would be facing each other across a great valley. And you can imagine the tremendous sound as they spoke in unison using this great natural amphitheatre.
The tribe of Levi would pronounce the curses and all the people would ratify or signify assent by saying "AMEN!" Amen means "it is of truth."
Of particular notice is verse 26. This one is appropriately referred to in Galatians 3:10. If we avow the law, then we admit it is JUST of God to punush us for breaking the law!
And we are ALL then accursed of God justly, because we ALL have broken His law (Romans 3:23).
Praise God for Jesus! He came and took OUR just punishment upon Himself so that we might be set free from the CURSE of the law.
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" ((Galatians 3:13))

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