Deuteronomy chapter 27

vs 14

Wait, aren't the Levites part of the blessing camp? Perhaps this is extra duties.

vs 15

Note that to each one of these, the people have to agree. They are legitimising the curses as part of their relationship with God, formalising them through agreement. All this means is that they know what's coming and are taking responsibility. But That's actually a good first step. I mean, how many people don't even do that much?

So idolatry is wrong, although this seems to specifically talk about secret idolatry - perhaps because those who build idols in public will be stoned to death.

vs 16

One of the 10 commandments.

vs 17

The jerrymandering of land is important, because the land is such an important part of God's promises to Israel.

vs 18

Why would you even do that? This could be symbolically important too - not just the physical act of being mean to blind people, but that anyone would take advantage of anyone who can't see what's going on.

vs 19

These last two have both been about kindness. The fact is that these people don't need justice - God could have been merciless to their plight. But he's not, and so therefore his people should be merciful to.

vs 20

Why does this one stick out? Like the second one, it is reiterating the importance of the family unit I suppose. And it's also just wrong. Perhaps it's just a good example of "Don't do this stuff - it's just plain wrong."

vs 21

As with this one.

vs 22

And this one. Sex gets us into so much trouble. People talk about how the church and the Bible have so much to say about sex. Well, perhaps because we think about it so much - even Israel had to be told not to sleep with animals and relatives!

vs 23

Because if the 6th command here doesn't make the principle clear enough, God feels the need to clarify this position too.

vs 24

Again with things being done in secret - because when you kill someone in front of a dozen people, I think it will be pretty immediately obvious whether you did it on purpose or not.

vs 25

It is a problem with justice systems that involve the death penalty - they involve the judgment of people, who can be wrong, or who can be bought. And so innocent people can die. This command at least shows that the weakness is recognised.

vs 26

A nice overall covering message to wrap up the curses.