Curses for Breaking the Decalogue

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 27:9-26.

The Levitical priests join Moses to tell the people of Israel to be quiet and listen to the LORD’s Word. When the people go over the Jordan into the Promised Land, six tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim for blessing and six tribes will stand on Mount Ebal for curses. The curses that the Levites will declare all connect to the Decalogue. Those who do not love God above all else and love their neighbor as themselves ally themselves with the devil as enemies of God. He speaks these curses in order to warn the people of the great seriousness of sin, and the people respond by saying, “Amen,” for all God’s Word is true. St. Paul quotes from the last verse of this text in reference to Christ, who has become the curse for us so that in Him we receive God’s blessing of forgiveness and life eternal.

“The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened Israel on the plains of Moab before the people entered the Promised Land, so the book of Deuteronomy still strengthens the Church as we prepare to enter the Resurrection with Christ, the Prophet greater than Moses.