RPG Adults
THE SPIRITUAL LESSON FOR ISRAEL
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Deuteronomy 27:11-26
Galatians 3:23-27
“Wherefore the law was our
schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ,
that we might be justified by faith.”
THE SPIRITUAL LESSON FOR ISRAEL
The tribes were grouped into two groups to recite the curses and the blessings. Moses had a monumental duty in leading Israel from the time they left Egypt. The journey, with all the obstacles they met on the way and their entry into Canaan after forty years, was no mean task. But God’s hand guided them, and they reached their destination. Leading such a large group of people required great skill. Moses at first was overcome by multiple responsibilities due to poor organization. In Exodus 18, his father-in-law counselled him on the best way to overcome the obstacles. So, he appointed heads for the twelve tribes and other junior officers all the way to leaders of fifty. The camping arrangement of Israel, as they journeyed in the wilderness, was according to the tribes. Now as they entered Canaan, Moses charged the people and identified those who were going to stand upon Mt Gerizim to recite blessings and those to stand on Mt Ebal to recite the curses. He said, “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: And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali” (Deut 27:12-13). The Levites were to stand and speak with a loud voice to all the men of Israel.
The list of the curses was given here in verses 15 to 26. The list of blessings to be recited was not given at this point. Each of these curses was placed upon all who transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and all the people would affirm with “Amen.”
All the activities commanded here were part of the spiritual education for Israel so that they would always remember their duty to God. The Law here in the Old Testament was a lesson of God’s redemptive plan in pictures. When a person believes in Jesus, he is justified by faith. This is the common aim of the Law and the Gospel. The true gospel leads to true salvation. Do you obey the basic truths of the gospel?
THOUGHT: The true Redeemer, the Son of God, has come.
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for giving me understanding of Thy redemptive work.