Let’s take a brief pause today so I can remind you of exactly where we’re at in our study of Deuteronomy and the Torah.
As I mentioned earlier, we’ve just entered a new 4-chapter section of Deuteronomy beginning from chapter 26 and ending at chapter 30.
This section is radically different than all the previous 14 chapters that came before Deuteronomy 26.
Why?
Because the nature of what Moses is talking about changes.
Chapters 12-26 focused mainly on the bulk of the Law that was given to the Hebrews 40 years earlier at Mount Sinai.
Not only that but Moses’ delivery was done in sermon style.
In other words, it was Moses fleshing out the meaning and providing practical life application of the many laws and commands he was given by the Lord atop the mountain.
However, once we move into this section starting from Deuteronomy Chapter 26, we encounter the following things…
-The pronouncement of the blessings and curses
-Future prophecies about what will happen to Israel (honestly, the Hebrews probably weren’t aware of the prophetic nature of what they were hearing)
-Deep and downright inscrutable truths are laid out
-A host of admonitions and straightforward warnings are also given.
In other words, this is one heck of an extraordinary section of not only the Torah but the whole Bible!
Therefore, we would be doing a great injustice if we attempted to rush through it.
That’s why we’re not going to rush through it but instead courageously wade into the deeper end of this mystical pool of the Lord’s teaching.
Otherwise, we’ll miss out on all of the wonderfully complex and mysterious things this chapter has to offer even though many scholars think it is out of place.
I mean it really does seem as if some writer wanted to make some particular points or go back and clarify some earlier information AFTER THE FACT.
Some scholars think that an ancient editor came across multiple traditions surrounding the events and simply threw them into this part of the Torah minus any regard whatsoever to the difficulties that would arise from doing such a thing.
What’s even more interesting is that other scholars (actually quite competent Bible scholars) prefer skipping Deuteronomy Chapter 27 altogether!
They reason that moving directly from chapter 26 straight into chapter 28 makes much more sense and maintains the flow of the narrative.
Now I can’t say whether that’s 100% true or not but I will tell you we sure as heck ain’t gonna be skipping any chapters here.
Flow or no flow, the contents of chapter 27 are part of God’s Word and have to be studied carefully or we’re gonna get the wrong idea of what’s happening moving forward and that will just lead to confusion.
So, with that in mind, see you all next time as we continue our study of Deuteronomy Chapter 27.
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