Scripture:
Deuteronomy 27:4-8 ESV
[4] And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster. [5] And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; [6] you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God, [7] and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God. [8] And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”
Observation:
Looking at the verses here we can see GOD is about to bring HIS people across the the river Jordan. HE is telling them to build an altar made out of stones that have not been cut by human hands. As a man who reads the bible daily, and prays that GOD reveals HIS word to me something like this can still get overlooked if I’m not careful, especially with the chapter that comes directly after it. Let’s take a look at what is being said here. Make an altar out of uncut stone with the law clearly written on it. Ok, that’s simple enough. Then perform a sacrifice on it. Now we are starting to get a little deeper. So why did GOD not want the altar to have a nice finished look with cut stones and nicely carved letters? Again let’s remember HE is about to bring HIS people into the promised land. The river Jordan was one of the last obstacles, and they were not going to get across it themselves they would need a supernatural move of GOD. Wait… Is that maybe the reason for the uncut stone? Was it a reminder that they did not do it? There are still some points that have to be addressed though. Like why were they to write the law on it, and what was the point of the sacrifice. Do you see where this is going…?
Application:
I believe and I’m pretty sure several people will back me up on this. GOD is always pointing us to the cross. We can not do it. The law is covered by the blood of the lamb. He brought us across the Jordan by HIS hand, not ours, and without grace there is no hope. The stones were uncut to tell us we did not do this HE did HE sent HIS son. If this had to do with what we could do we would still be in Egypt making bricks with no straw because our sin was a slave driver that was relentlessly pushing us beyond our ability to break free from it. HE is the only way. Now standing at the edge of the river Jordan knowing you can’t get into the promised land by crossing the river by yourself because you don’t even have a boat. Are you willing to build an altar with your life? The uncut stone you did not make you HE did. HE placed you in the womb. HE knit you together, and HE placed HIS son on the altar of your life. Under the sacrifice was the law written on the uncut stone of your life. Take the free gift.
Prayer:
Father, you are so amazing. The little treasure you hide in your word. The way you point them out. I just want to thank you. You did all this with me in mind. I know that your grace is the only way. I can try with all that is in me but all I am left with is a stone. Cut and pretty on the outside but hard and stubborn on the inside. Without you none of this is possible. None of this could have or would have happened. It has everything to do with you. My hand can only dress up the outside. But you have placed Jesus on the inside, and that’s the difference maker. Thank you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.