“On the same day Moses commanded the people: When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin.And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.“-Deuteronomy 27:11-13
So far in our study of Deuteronomy 27, I have only described just one of the many mystical aspects of this 4-chapter section of Deuteronomy we are currently immersed in.
What one thing am I referring to?
I’m referring to the idea that Israel was incapable of obeying the Torah until the Promised Land was officially handed over to them by the Almighty.
Onward.
When we come to verse 11, we encounter something just downright fascinating concerning the covenant renewal ceremony now taking place.
Notice that Israel is divided into two groups of 6 tribes each.
One group is to ascend up to Mount Ebal and the other is to ascend up to Mount Gerizim.
We are given a very specific listing of the names of the tribes in each group as follows:
THE GROUP THAT WENT UP TO MOUNT GERIZIM
Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin
THE GROUP THAT WENT UP TO MOUNT EBAL
Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali
Notice anything peculiar about these particular groupings?
Here’s what’s really interesting.
FIRST, the group who went up to Mount Ebal who were responsible for pronouncing the blessings…
…consisted of the two sons of Rachel and four of Leah’s sons.
Recall that Rachel was Jacob’s favored wife and Leah was technically Jacob’s first wife.
SECOND, the group who went up to Mount Gerizim to pronounce the curses were made up primarily of the sons of Jacob’s concubines plus Reuben.
Remember that although Reuben was Jacob’s true firstborn son he was shamefully removed from that position due to having sex with one of Jacob’s concubines.
So the group pronouncing the blessings come from Jacob’s true two wives…
…and…
…the group pronouncing the curses is the “concubine group” for lack of a better term.
Hmmm…it makes one wonder if the Lord is trying to indirectly communicate something to us here.
I told you this chapter was quite mystical in its contents.
There is need for the write up to be corrected. The 6 tribes that were to pronounce the blessings from Mount Gerizim and not Ebal as stated in the write up. The listed names are Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph n Benjamin On Mount GERIZIM and not EBAL pls
Hey Tony, Thanks for pointing that out! I just fixed it. Thanks! Be blessed!