20140120 Monday, January 20 2014
Deuteronomy 27: Why A Dark Side Of The Moon?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"These shall stand upon Mount Gerizim to bless ... And these shall stand upon Mount Ebal to curse"

Mount Ebal, from the Hebrew word pronounced ay-bawl, meaning rocky, is a mountain in the Samaria region of central Israel. At a height of 3,077 feet / 937 meters above sea level, and 1,200 feet / 365 feet above the level of the adjacent valley, it was located on the north side of the ancient city of Shechem. Mount Gerizim was to the south of Shechem on the opposite side of the valley.

While Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim were easily visible from each other, from the sight of each other Mount Ebal's barren appearance (due largely to its more shaded north face) contrasted with Mount Gerizim's more profusely-covered side (due largely to its brighter south face).

There is no "dark side of the moon." It's a term that originated because the moon turns on its axis (the "day" on the moon) in the same period as it orbits the Earth (a month) - thereby producing the visual effect that only one side of the moon is visible from Earth. In that same way, Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim both had a contrasting "light" and "dark" side as viewed from each other, even though they also each had their light and dark side. That natural contrast was used in a ceremony to symbolize the blessings for those who obey God, and the curses for those who disobey - a principle that applies as much now as at any other time during the history of humanity.

"27:1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day. 27:2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: 27:3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey [see Deuteronomy 6: The Way To Milk And Honey]; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. 27:4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister. 27:5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. 27:6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: 27:7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God. 27:8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly." (Deuteronomy 27:1-8 KJV)

The Levites (see the Fact Finder question below) then declared the Will of the LORD (Who was and is Jesus Christ - see Genesis 1: In The Beginning Was The Word and The Kingdom Of The LORD God), with the result of obedience or disobedience - blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

"27:9 And Moses and the priests the Levites [see Numbers 3: When Were The Levites Set Apart? and Numbers 18: The Inheritance Of The Levites] spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God. 27:10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

27:11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

27:12 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:

27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

27:14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice, 27:15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place.
And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

27:16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person.
And all the people shall say, Amen.

27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.
And all the people shall say, Amen." (Deuteronomy 27:9-16 KJV)

Fact Finder: What was the prophetic purpose of the Levite High priest?
See Leviticus 8: The Prophecy Of The Blood Upon The Anointed One