The Blessing Of The Law
When the Israelites approached the Holy Land Moses told them to agree to the blessings and the curses of the Law. He told them to separate into two parts when they entered the Holy Land. One part (six tribes) were to stand upon Mount Gerizim to agree to the blessings of the Law. The other part (six tribes) were to stand upon Mount Ebal to agree to the curses of the Law. Then the Levites would read the blessings and curses to all of the people. (Deuteronomy 27:12-14).
Many Christians today are confused about what the Bible says. They call themselves “New Testament Christians” so they don’t think the Old Testament applies to them. They think they are Gentiles, so the New Testament is for them and the Old Testament is for the Jews. One verse they hold on to is: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” Galatians 3:13. They think the Law is bad because it brings a curse on people. Another verse they hold onto is: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14. Therefore they think they do not have to obey the Law because they are not under the Law.
“New Testament Christians” will tell you that sin is “missing the mark”, like when you shoot an arrow and it misses the target. That is very poetic, but it doesn’t tell you anything. Each Christian group has their own definition of sin. Some think drinking beer is a sin. Some think criticizing the church pastor is a sin. Some think watching a scary movie is a sin. Some liberal Christian groups even think burning fossil fuels is a sin. The truth is in the Bible: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. That puts an end to the confusion. The Law tells us what to do and what not to do. The prophet Elijah preached a simple truth: Obey the Law and follow God or disobey the Law and follow Satan.
The Ten Commandments are the basic Laws everyone should follow. However, Christians are called to a higher obedience, as explained by Jesus. The sixth commandment tells us not to kill, but Jesus tells us to not even be angry at our brother (fellow Israelite) without a cause. (Matthew 5:22). The seventh commandment tells us not to commit adultery, but Jesus tells us to not even look at another woman (or man) with lust. (Matthew 5:28). Throughout the Gospels Jesus expands on the commandments and shows us how to interpret them correctly. He rebuked the Pharisees for giving a bunch of money to the temple when their own parents were in need. (Mark 7:10-13). He said that was breaking the fifth commandment. When Jesus was dying on the cross, he provided for his own mother by telling the apostle John to look after her.
The Israelite tribes on Mount Gerizim said “Amen” when the blessings of obedience to the Law were read. The Israelite tribes on Mount Ebal said “Amen” when the curses of disobedience to the Law were read. This is ageless truth, good even for “New Testament Christians” to read.
Jesus takes us beyond the bare minimum of obeying the Ten Commandments. We are to keep the commandments by what we do, by what we say, and by what we think. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
We Christians can do this by the Holy Spirit within us. It is a constant battle for our minds which we can win. With each victory we can have the blessings, as pronounced on Mount Gerizim. However, our blessings are limited by the sin of our Israelite people. In the end there will be blessings beyond anything we can imagine. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14.
