| And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, 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. | ||
| Deuteronomy 27:11–13 | ||
| Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal are each about two thousand feet high. Between them is a valley that served as a natural amphitheater. With six tribes on each mountain and the priests and leaders in between, the stage was set for an illustrated sermon the children of Israel would not soon forget. As the Law was read, the tribes on Mount Ebal would say “Amen” to the curses, while those on Mount Gerizim would affirm the blessings. And lest you think you would rather be on Mount Gerizim affirming the blessings, don’t forget that the altar - the place where blood is shed, where forgiveness is made - was on Mount Ebal. You might be aware of failings and shortcomings in your life, of times you’ve dropped the ball and cursed yourself or others because of stupidity and sin. But where sin abounds, grace abounds more (Romans 5:20). Therefore, the greater awareness I have of my sin, the more thankful I am for the grace of God. It is not surprising that the one who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47), making Mount Ebal - the place where blood is shed - the place where there is, ultimately, peace and joy. Pastor Jon Courson | ||
