Deuteronomy 27:4
Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))
فإِذا عَبَرتُمُ الأُردُنَّ، تَنصِبونَ هٰذه الحِجارَةَ الَّتي أَنا آمُرُكم بِنَصبِها اليَومَ على جَبَلِ جَرِزِّيم، وتَطْلونَها بِالكِلْس.
What Does This Mean?
Moses tells the Israelites that after they cross the Jordan River, they should set up stones on Mount Ebal and plaster them. This is to serve as a reminder of God's laws and commands.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your parents told you to put up a big sign in your room with all the rules you need to follow. That's what Moses is asking the Israelites to do. They'll put up stones that remind them of God's rules.
Historical Background
This passage is written by Moses around 1200 BCE as part of his farewell address to the Israelites. The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, and Moses wants to ensure they remember and follow God's commandments.
Living It Out Today
Today, we can think about setting up our own reminders of God's teachings, perhaps by placing a Bible verse on our desk or setting a daily reminder on our phone to read a passage from the Bible.
Topics
obediencememoryGod's commandsremembranceBible studypromised land
Related Verses
Joshua 8:30-35Exodus 20:1-17Joshua 24:26-27Matthew 22:36-40James 1:22-25
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Moses instruct the Israelites to plaster the stones?
Plastering the stones was a way to make them more visible and durable. This ensured that the message inscribed on them would be clear and last longer, serving as a constant reminder.
What are the stones supposed to remind the Israelites of?
The stones were to remind the Israelites of God's laws and commands. This was important as they entered the Promised Land and faced new challenges and temptations.
How does this relate to modern-day Christians?
Modern-day Christians can apply this principle by finding ways to make God's commands visible in their lives, such as through daily Bible reading or placing reminders in their living spaces.
What is the significance of Mount Ebal?
Mount Ebal was chosen as the site for setting up the stones because it was one of the mountains designated for the cursing and blessing ceremony, where blessings were pronounced from Mount Gerizim and curses from Mount Ebal.