Chapter 27-28 go hand-to-hand. Moses tells Israel to write on stone the law and to rejoice in the Lord. The 12 tribes are told to stand on two different mountains, six on each side. They shout from each mountain blessings for following the Lord and curses for disobeying Him. It’s important to note these “if-then” covenant statements are made between God and Israel. We can look back historically and see the Lord did what He said He would.
“You shall therefore obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.” Deuteronomy 27:10
“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28:2
“…if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them,” Deuteronomy 28:13b
Today, by faith in Jesus we are a “redeemed” people from our sinful disobedience. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14
Even though those “if-then” statements have been done away with we still should pursue Christ and His kingdom, holiness, and righteousness. As a matter of fact, as we spend time with Jesus and in His Word we become more like Him. In effect we become more aware of what holiness and righteousness looks like.
Paul wrote about this to the church in Colossae. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3). “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry… “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” (Colossians 3:5, 8). “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17
The Lord gave them the choice of peace and today we’re given the choice of peace. Setting our minds and hearts on the Lord and following Jesus’ teachings and example gives us peace. No matter what’s going on around us we are offered the choice of peace. What will you choose this day?
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.