Day 78

Read: Deuteronomy 26:1 – 29:1

In Chapter 26, the Israelites were commanded to bring the very first part of their harvest to the Lord. It’s a physical action that should remind them that everything they possessed was a gift from God, not just a product of their own hard work. They were also commanded to recite their history to ensure they never forgot their dependency on God and how He rescued them . Israel was special to God (Deuteronomy 26:16-19)

What are the “first fruits” in your life right now?
Is it your time in the morning?
Is it the first portion of your paycheck?
Is it your first thought when a project succeeds?

One of the nations first tasks upon entering the Promised Land would be to erect erect large stones, upon which the law would be written and located on Mount Ebal. Mount Ebal was located about 35 miles North of Jerusalem. At the base of Mount Ebal was the city of Shechem. Remember in Genesis 12:1-7 (we read this on Day 4), this is where the Lord first appeared to Abraham and gave him the promise of a nation and a land, and Abraham built his first altar to the Lord. Mount Ebal was to serve as a reminder of the covenant and of Israel’s commitment to the Lord.

The six tribes that pronounced the blessings from Mount Gerizim were descendants from the legitimate wives of Jacob; Leah and Rachel:

• Simeon
• Levi
• Judah
• Issachar
• Joseph
• Benjamin

The six remaining tribes that stood on Mount Ebal to pronounce the curses:

• Reuben – firstborn of Leah, who lost his birthright because of incest (Genesis 35:22; 49:3-4)
• Gad – descendant of Jacob’s concubine
• Asher – descendant of Jacob’s concubine
• Zebulun – youngest son of Leah
• Dan – descendant of Jacob’s concubine
• Naphtali- descendant of Jacob’s concubine

Deuteronomy 27:15-26
By replying “Amen!” the people were agreeing with and assenting to the proclamation. They were affirming the legitimacy of the curses and agreeing to the judgement incurred by breaking the covenant.

Chapter 28
The blessings of God were contingent upon Israel’s obedience as a nation. The blessings of God encompassed every area of life. The blessings of God were not an end in themselves, but they were an outcome of obedience for the purpose of glorifying God among the nations.

Disobedience to the Lord would result in the taking of the sons and daughters of Israel into captivity as slaves to foreign nations. Parents are not able to save their children and their only recourse would be to wait endlessly for them to return. The curses upon a rebellious nation would attest to the holiness of a righteous God. The curses would serve to educate future generations and pagan nations, just as the blessings of God were not an end in themselves, neither are the curses. Curses were an outcome of disobedience.

As Israel prepared for the Promised Land, they were reminded that obedience brings blessings and connects them as a holy, treasured people set apart for God’s purposes.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the blessings You have given me. I want to honor You with the first fruits of my life (my time, my resources, and my talents). Keep me from pride and help me to remember that I am a beneficiary of Your grace. Amen.